Opera creativity by Andrei Tikhomirov

Relevance of the study. The work of a contemporary Russian composer, graduate from the Leningrad Conservatory, Andrei Tikhomirov, is considered, with the main emphasis on his operatic work being made. The music and dramaturgical components of his chamber opera “The Last Days” and the large format opera “Dracula” were subjected to analysis.Main objective(s) of the study. The author’s means of creating music. He has relied on the musical context of the epoch, the music “sounding around” (rock, pop music, bard song, jazz, mass song, etc.). His loyalty to the melodic gift, has forced him to create in close connection with classical traditions born by European and Russian opera theaters.Methodology. Evidence is given by authoritative domestic musicologists and music critics, emphasizing, on the one hand, the undoubted originality of A. Tikhomirov’s creative method, and, on the other, his living connection and reverence for the classical heritage and composition of European academic music. Both operas have been investigated for compositional composition, dramatic development and dramatic logic; their literary origins are indicated, as well as conjugation of action and composer’s findings of adequate musical forms and means of musical and dramatic expressiveness.Results / findings and conclusions. The close relationship of A, Tikhomirov’s operas with the traditions of Russian classical music and Russian and European classical literature is shown. There are cited software installations of the composer of a theoretical nature, his philosophical and aesthetic views on the nature of opera, musical theater, academic music, ways of its further development, the essence of the crisis of the opera genre.Significance. In addition, the article contains important biographical information about the composer, a general description of his work and the stages of its development. The article puts an emphasis on the development of possibilities of composer thought and technology (including in the operatic genre) in modern conditions, without breaking with the traditions of European classical music.