Ivan Alekseyevich Bunin (1870-1953) was the first Russian writer awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature (1933). He was noted for the strict artistry with which he carried on the classical Russian traditions in the writing of prose and poetry. Bunin’s work is known to have a lot in common with the traditions of classical Russian literature of the 19th century, of which his older contemporaries Leo Tolstoy and Anton Chekhov were models.

The composition “A dream again, enchanting and sweet one…” was performed first in Houston, Texas in 2017.  It includes the finest examples of Bunin’s poetry and two of his most famous short stories: “In Paris” and “Dark Alleys” converted into stage mini-plays. The background of the composition is the music by L. Beethoven, F. Chopin, I. Schwartz, songs and romances using the lyrics by Bunin himself and also by A. Pushkin and B. Okudghava.

After Intermission, the audience will be invited to a Musical Reception to listen more songs and enjoy hot tea and pasties in Russian style. Houston guests will perform a few songs written by amateur songwriters from the program dedicated to St. Petersburg: “Oh, my elusive city …” (О, город мой неуловимый…). That includes lyrics by I. Annenskiy, B. Akhmadullina, A. Gorodnitsky and others.