The Bear: Libretto [Paperback]

Paul Dehn (Author), Sir William Walton (Composer)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 31, 1967

Walton composed this one act based on a play by Chekhov called 'The Boor.' The requirements for scenery and casting is conservative, which makes this opera accessible to college and smaller opera companies. A widow, confronted by Smirnov who has come to claim his debt owed to him by her late husband of many months, ends up falling in love with Smirnov after their long dispute over the debt owed to him.

Product Details

• Paperback: 12 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (December 31, 1967)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0193384426
• ISBN-13: 978-0193384422
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 6.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,986,845 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Want to laugh at the nature of man?, July 14, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Bear: Libretto (Paperback)

The Bear by Anton Chekhov is one of the best plays that I have read in my entire life. It features funny prose which makes the reader think about the nature of mankind and how he will go to any lengths to have what he wants. Smirnov (the main character) at first wants the money that an old colleague of his owes him from his wife and then falls in love with the mourning widow. He is spured on by the insesant denial from the woman that he can not have the money and falls for her fiery nature. A great read and I urge all readers of his plays to read this little beauty

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Brute, January 29, 2004

By 

Virginia C. Selanik "Virginia Selanik "li... (Indian River. Michigan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Bear: Libretto (Paperback)

Some use the above title...The Bear...but I prefer the title in my English textbook...The Brute. For Smirnov is a brute, albeit a loveable one.He comes to collect money that is due him from Mrs. Popov, but she refuses to pay him. He becomes enraged, goes into a tirade about the infidelity of women, breaks a chair, and then falls madly in love with this Mrs. Popov. This play is a farce in the true meaning of the theatrical word...one of the finest plays in the store of literature.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Awesome story for all ages!, October 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Bear: Libretto (Paperback)

The Bear by Anton Chekhov was one the most interesting yet provokative stories I've ever read. This play shows the interesting relationships between men and women. I am 16 yrs. old and my acting class is doing this play for competition. This play is the first one that the entire class fully enjoyed.