Vecherinka

Vecherinka is the Russian word for party or festive gathering. The party to which the work refers is taken from the first act of my opera, The Overcoat (after Gogol). This party celebrates the new coat that the hapless hero, Akaky Akakievich, has finally been able to afford. His office workers have forced him to attend an arranged gathering to toast, more than a few times, this new article of clothing but sadly, Akaky becomes little more than an excuse for everyone else to get drunk. The music portrays the general hubbub of the scene, a folk-band accompanying the card games taking place and the general riotous atmosphere. The direct, colourful and dramatic nature of the music should be immediate and require no further explanation. The five hands of the title refers to games or ‘hands’ of cards which take place during the party.