The Problem of the libretto’s translation in the modern musical theatre

Abstract

Purpose of Article. The research aims to analyze the different opinions, regarding the opera performances in the original language or to reproduce them in the oral interpretation of the country of production. The methodology of the research applies analytical, comparative, crosscultural, logical, and historical methods. The mentioned methodological approach is used to reveal and analyze the necessity of translating the text into musical performances, as well as the historical chronology of changing the opinions regarding the translation of opera’s libretto. The scientific novelty of the article analyzes the factors of the necessity of transferring opera libretto and comparison of different views regarding this theme. Conclusions. As a result of the research, it was concluded that the problem of the opera’s contemporary embodiment provokes controversy between specialists; the tendency for the translation of the text component of the opera changed according to the historical context and practical features of the genre itself; the interpretation of the original text varies from the replacement of the original version by parts (recitatives and scenes) up to the full libretto translation; the comparison of various authoritative opinions on this issue has confirmed that the problem of libretto translation in a modern musical theater should be solved individually for each particular performance; directors should remember not only what they want to give to the public, but also about what the spectator wants to hear and see; to overcome the Ukrainian theatre- artistic crisis, it is necessary to create a highly professional translation of the libretto in Ukrainian, which would be able to convey the content of the play without damaging the musical material produced by the composer. The problem of libretto translation in opera is actual and requires further researches.