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“Aleko” is the legacy of the famous poem “The Gypsies” by the Russian poet Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin, created in the form of an opera and subsequently a film based on it. This is one of the few pieces in which the life of Roma plays a central role.

The one-act opera was written by Sergei Vasilievich Rachmaninov, a composer, pianist and conductor who has become a symbol of Russian music throughout the world. Notably, the work was written in an extremely short period of time, 17 days, as a graduation thesis at the Moscow Conservatory. Sergei Vasilyevich was 19 years old at that time. The opera was highly estimated by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, one of the greatest composers in history, and was performed on the same day as his work «Iolanta». «Aleko» premiered in April 1873 at the Bolshoy Theater in Moscow. Rachmaninov's work was awarded the Big Gold Medal and his name was inscribed on a marble plaque in the lobby of the Conservatory. The opera about Roma opened the doors to the world of great music for the young talent and became an outstanding work.

The main actions unfold on the river bank, where a camp of Roma has pitched its colourful tents. Aleko, the main character, a fugitive from social life, has been living in a Roma family with a young Zemfira for two years. Particular attention is drawn to the old Roma, who conveys folk wisdom about the kindness and peacefulness of the people. He tells the story of his unrequited love and the escape of Zemfira's mother, Mariula. Aleko does not understand his decision to let his beloved go. He is sad that his Zemfira is attracted to a young Roma. Unable to cope with the jealousy burning him from within, Aleko kills the girl and her lover. Such a cruel and selfish act is unforgivable for the Roma, and they expel the killer from the camp.

The work is based on a libretto (the text used in an extended musical work) by Vladimir Ivanovich Nemirovich-Danchenko, a Russian director and playwright. “Aleko” seems to be a chamber lyrical-psychological opera, in which intense drama can be traced. Viewers and listeners from the first moments are immersed in the atmosphere of passion and drama, romance and despair, lightness and tension inherent in many stories about Roma. Rachmaninov's music perfectly reveals the characters, paints pictures of Roma life and landscapes of the area. The bright, melodic orchestral part creates a feeling of emotional anxiety and a tragic outcome. At the same time, the music not only forms the background mood but also provides a romanticized image of Roma freedom-loving, freedom from conventions that distort human relationships. The basis of the opera melodies is the violin, which plays out the entire spectrum of feelings during the performance. The sounds of the harp and flute add special romance, while the trumpet and drums are used for greater drama. The exotic flavour of the cheerful dancing Roma mentality is conveyed by tambourines and clarinet during general dance performances. In “The Dance of Men,” Sergei Rachmaninov used authentic melodies of Roma songs to fully reflect realities. The role of Aleko was performed by the outstanding opera singer Fyodor Shalyapin. Subsequently, it became one of the best in his career.

Rachmaninov's opera was included in the repertoire of theatres in Russia, England and the USA (New York). One of the best productions was carried out under the direction of V. Nemirovich-Danchenko at the musical theatre named after him (1926). The last production at the Moscow Bolshoi Theater dates back to 1994.

In 1954, the opera was filmed (directed by Sergei Sidelev). It is noteworthy that the musical and textual setting of the work was preserved. For greater life-like concreteness and credibility, the scenes are moved to the expanses of fields and meadows. Particularly successful in this regard is the film adaptation of one of the most emotional episodes of the work - Aleko's monologue. The film one more time highlights the expressiveness of the scene in the opera. The song is performed on the seashore, Rachmaninov’s music sounds with a distinctive dramatic intensity, and the sea in the background rages with special force, conveying Aleko’s mental anguish. The expressiveness of the murder scene is emphasized by the scarlet sunset. A distinctive, positive aspect of this work is also that the film ends not with death, but with a scene of a camp going into the distance and continuing to live its usual life with all its sorrows and joys.

A romanticized and exciting story about an episode in the life of one Roma family, which managed to touch many hearts and make more than one name famous.