Soviet Union, ca. 1976–1980. Original leaves of typescript and carbon copy typescript to rectos and versos, two sets with pagination pp. [3], 33 and [2], 71–133 respectively. Cut and sized to binding, but never bound; 20.8 × 14.8 cm. Very good; occasional corrections using pen and whiteout.

Two samizdat translations of Tim Rice's libretti for Andrew Lloyd Webber's rock opera "Evita" (first published 1976 and first performed live in 1978), as well as for "Jesus Christ Superstar" (1971). The translations are credited to Vladimir Bel'skii and N. Sokolova respectively. Both texts stem from the collection of the Ekaterinburg jazz musician and drummer, Valerii Chernavin, a pioneer of Soviet post-war jazz in the Urals. In the 1960–70s, Chernavin performed in underground jazz concerts together with Vladimir Presniakov and Igor' Butman.

In addition to the texts of the librettos, both "volumes" contain overall descriptions of the works, a discography of Lloyd Webber, as well as the names of musicians and performers.

The first known translation of "Jesus Christ Superstar" into Russian dates to 1989 and was used to record the first 1992 Russian recording. The present translation was apparently prepared from the 1970s studio recording. Although it was not officially released in the Soviet Union, the work was widely known thanks to "magnitizdat" or the duplication of recordings using magnetic tape recorders.

Book ID: 52697

Price: $650.00