John Rubinstein Will Narrate “The Soldier’s Tale”
February 27, 2024
On April 7, 2024, John Rubinstein will join musicians on the Alice Tully Hall stage to narrate Igor Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale. Rubinstein has previously performed the work with conductors Christoph Eschenbach, Alan Gilbert, and Esa-Pekka Salonen. His Broadway theater credits include the title role in the original Pippin (1972 - Theatre World Award), Children of a Lesser God (Tony and Drama Desk Awards), Ragtime, Hurlyburly, M. Butterfly, The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial, Love Letters, Pippin (2014), Fools, Getting Away with Murder, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Rubinstein also has many off-Broadway and film credits, and is a director, a composer, and a conductor of music for film and television. He hosted the radio program Carnegie Hall Tonight for six years, and has taught and directed at NYU, UCLA, and USC.
About The Soldier's Tale
The Soldier’s Tale by Igor Stravinsky is a mixed-media piece that premiered in 1918. It features poetic dialogue, dance, and chamber music.
When the story begins, a soldier is traveling home during his time off. On his journey, he meets the Devil, who makes him a deal to trade his cheap violin for a book that will make him rich. The Soldier accepts. As he reads through the book he notices that inside are predictions for the future. His discovery is swept aside when the Devil offers him a ride, one that will take three days. Again, the Soldier accepts.
Now home, the Soldier is met with strange reactions. His neighbors won’t look his way. His mom shrieks at the sight of him. And he discovers his fiancée is married with children. This is when the soldier realizes he wasn’t with the Devil for three days. It was three years.
This is how his journey begins. Along the way, he finds fortune, seeks the hand of a princess, and, most importantly, discovers that money can’t buy happiness.
The Soldier’s Tale
Sun, Apr 7, 2024, 5:00 pm