Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev (1818-1883), wrote ten plays, but most are rarely, if ever, performed. His reputation as a dramatist rests solely on his seventh, Mesiats v derevne [A Month in the Country], published in 1855. Though never popular in his lifetime, this play is an acknowledged classic in the Russian repertoire, and has enjoyed enduring success worldwide. Its title is somewhat misleading: set on the country estate of the Islaev family, its onstage action takes place, in five acts, over no more than four days. Natal’ia Petrovna is loved by both her husband, Arkadii, and by her near-constant companion, Rakitin: but she does not return her husband’s affection (or share his enthusiasm for the …
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Citation: Dixon, Ros. "Mesiats v derevne". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 14 July 2007 [https://staging.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=11248, accessed 21 November 2024.]