The image of Zhenya Komelkova in the opera by Tan Jianping "The Dawns Here Are Quiet"

Mei JIEWEN ORCID: 0009-0000-5861-9314 PhD in Art History Postgraduate student; Institute of Types of Art (Musical Art); M.M. IPPOLITOV-IVANOV State Music and Pedagogical Institute 121357, Russia, Moscow, Fili-Davydkovo district, Initiativnaya str., 6, room 1, sq. 149 912876563@qq.com

The opera "And the Dawns are Quiet Here" is a significant work in modern musical culture, created by Chinese composer Tang Jianping in 2015. Its plot is based on Boris Vasiliev's novel of the same name, which describes the feat of five young female anti-aircraft gunners during the Great Patriotic War. The uniqueness of this opera lies in the fact that it became the first Chinese musical drama dedicated to the events of World War II, thereby connecting the historical destinies of Russia and China ^[1].

The work on the opera was carried out in a short time: its score was completed in less than a year — on August 15, 2015. The libretto for the opera was written by Wang Fan, and the director of the first production was Wang Xiaoping. The premiere took place on November 5, 2015 and was timed to coincide with the celebration of the October Revolution, which emphasized its symbolic significance for both China and the countries of the former USSR ^[3].

The production of the opera "And the Dawns are Quiet here" was timed to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War and the War of Resistance of the Chinese People to the Japanese invaders. According to Deng Yijiang, deputy director of the Beijing National Center for Performing Arts, this opera was "a tribute to all the heroes who sacrificed their lives" and a reminder of the importance of preserving the memory of the war.

The musical and dramatic solution of the opera is based on the synthesis of Russian and Chinese musical traditions. Russian Russian folklore elements, intonational allusions to Soviet military-patriotic songs and classical Russian operas were used by the composer. The main musical idea of the piece was a theme that reflects the Russian identity. It varies depending on the situation, accompanying key dramatic moments, for example, the scene of girls wading through a swamp ^[5].

The opera consists of two acts and includes 60 scenes, and its total duration is about 2.5 hours. The main characters remain Sergeant Vaskov and five female soldiers: Rita, Lisa, Sonya, Zhenya and Galya. The musical design of the opera combines the aesthetics of Russian music with elements of traditional Chinese opera. Russian Russian music emphasizes the dual nature of the work: on the one hand, it is a Chinese interpretation of Russian classics, on the other hand, it is a deep work on preserving Russian identity in the musical language ^[3].

As researcher Cui Yajun notes, the Chinese listener perceives the opera "And the dawns here are quiet ..." as an interpretation of the Russian classics in the original Chinese arrangement. It combines grandiose battle scenes, lyrical arias and deep tragedy, which makes it a vivid example of modern musical theater in China ^[8].

It is important to note that the opera lacks a naturalistic depiction of war. The enemy is symbolically represented as nameless shadows embodying the brutality of war. The central place is occupied by the disclosure of human destinies, internal struggle and heroic choice. The topic of the death of young girls turned out to be especially important for the Chinese audience, since in China the issue of gender disparity and the role of women in history is perceived especially acutely ^[6].

Thus, Tang Jianping's opera "The Dawns are Quiet Here" is a unique phenomenon in which the traditions of Russian and Chinese musical drama are intertwined into a single heroic-epic composition. It not only reveals the theme of war, but also touches on universal issues of memory, honor and the tragic fate of heroes, making the work significant for a wide international audience.

Zhenya Komelkova is one of the brightest and most memorable characters of "And the dawns here are quiet." In Boris Vasiliev's story, she appears as a brave, determined and cheerful girl who, despite tragic circumstances, retains inner strength and the ability to love life. In Tang Jianping's opera version, her image received a musical embodiment, emphasizing the emotional depth of the heroine and her tragic fate.

Zhenya Komelkova holds a special place among the five female anti-aircraft gunners. She stands out not only for her external beauty — her magnificent red hair is admired by her friends — but also for her lively, energetic character. Zhenya is a natural leader who unites people around him, inspires them and supports them in difficult moments ^[7].

As noted by Wang Fan, the librettist of the opera, Zhenya is the embodiment of love and beauty, opposed to war and destruction. Her image symbolizes sacrifice and perseverance, but unlike other heroines, she retains some naivety and romanticism even in the most critical moments. This makes her the most emotionally intense role among all the girls ^[2].

In the opera score, the composer uses contrasting musical means: light, dance motifs at the beginning are replaced by deep, saturated harmonies in scenes of internal conflict, and the culmination of her part reaches the highest emotional load at the moment of self-sacrifice.

Zhenya's past is full of tragedies: her family — her mother, sister and little brother — were shot in front of her eyes when the Germans destroyed the families of the Red Army commanders. She miraculously survived, hiding in the Estonian woman's house, but this loss changed her forever. Komelkova realized that her life now belongs to the war, and perhaps this was the reason for her desperate courage. Instead of breaking down, Zhenya retains a cheerful and ironic attitude, skillfully hiding his pain behind it ^[7].

The opera reveals the love aspect of her fate – her feelings for the colonel. Her arias contain words of passion and pain: "How I suffer, I cannot be with you," "My colonel, my officer, my man." However, Zhenya realizes that this novel is doomed, which gives her image an additional tragedy. Here her vocal line becomes more extended, saturated with wide intervals, which conveys the inner struggle of the heroine.

In this episode, Zhenya expresses his deep affection for the colonel, calling him "my officer, my man," which emphasizes not only personal feelings, but also respect for him as a military commander. However, she realizes that their connection is impossible, and this creates a powerful emotional gap between the characters.

Zhenya's part begins with a smooth, long melody that conveys tenderness and love. The vocal line develops in waves, with a gradual rise and fall, which emphasizes its fluctuations between hope and sadness. (Figure 1)

In the first phrase ("But I love you so much"), the melody moves steadily, with small jumps, creating a sense of lyrical recognition. In the second part ("my colonel, my officer, my man"), the vocal line becomes more tense, there are jumps in the intervals, which increases the drama. The upward movements of the melody symbolize Zhenya's desire to express her feelings, but then the melody goes down, creating a sense of humility before fate.

Figure 1. Vocal expression and drama in Zhenya Komelkova's aria

The key contains flats, which gives the melody softness and melancholy.

In the piano part, the chords sound with trioles, which creates a slight instability, as if Zhenya is vacillating between emotions. At the beginning, the tempo is moderate, but then the instruction Più mosso ("a little more mobile") makes the music move faster, reflecting the increased excitement of the heroine. The second part (with "my colonel...") has a clear rhythm with accents emphasizing the importance of each word.

This fragment is a key moment of emotional tension in Zhenya Komelkova's aria. In it, she addresses the colonel, expressing doubt, hope and pain at the same time. Figure 2. The first note of the vocal part ("Ah ...") is played on a long drawn-out note, which creates a feeling of longing, surprise and inner excitement. This is followed by a melodic line with short notes and a gradual rise, which gives the phrase the intonation of a question ("Are you calling me?").

The simplicity of the melody emphasizes the sincerity and emotionality of the moment.

Figure 2. Are you calling me?" – a moment of expectation and anxiety in Zhenya Komelkova's aria

The piano part is based on a fast, even repetition of the sixteenth notes, creating a pulsating tension.

The left bass notes sound heavy, maintaining a gloomy atmosphere. The contrast between the smoothness of the vocal line and the insistent rhythm of the accompaniment creates the effect of an internal struggle. Expectation and anxiety – "Ah..." should sound with a slight tremor, conveying a sigh, surprise and hope. Uncertainty – "Are you calling me?" is performed with a gradual increase in dynamics, as if Zhenya is really waiting for an answer. There is a fine line between hope and disappointment – the singer's voice should be soft, but filled with deep feeling.

This moment demonstrates not only Zhenya's love affair, but also her emotional vulnerability. The music highlights her inner state through a combination of soft vocals and pulsating accompaniment. The scene is filled with expectation and slight dramatic tension, which makes it important in character development.

This moment of Zhenya Komelkova's aria expresses the passion, tenderness and tragic doom of her feelings. It combines emotional intensity, sensuality and awareness of the inevitable separation. (Figure 3)

Figure 3. The last moments of passion

The opening phrase ("Hug you, kiss you, love you") has a smooth, humming melody that creates a feeling of tenderness and affection. The gradual rise in melody highlights the passion and emotional intensity. In the following phrases ("May your beard prick my face", "May my teeth hurt your shoulders"), the vocal line becomes more jerky, which conveys her desire to memorize every detail of this moment.

In the last sentence ("I know we're not..."), the intonation changes – delayed notes appear expressing regret and the inevitability of separation. The chords in the piano's left hand sound sharp, three-note beats, creating a pulsating rhythm that conveys the tension of the scene. In the right hand, the accompaniment is based on arpeggios, giving lightness and dreaminess to the vocal line, creating a contrast with the drama of the text.

The use of trioles and accents highlights the pulsating energy of the moment. Passion and tenderness – in the first phrases, the voice should sound soft, with a slight vibrato, conveying the intimacy of the moment. Sensuality and playfulness – in the lines about the beard and teeth, it is important to convey a slight flirtatiousness, but with a touch of desperation. Doom and farewell – the last phrase should sound with fading, creating the effect of awareness of the inevitable separation.

This moment is the culmination of Zhenya's personal emotional line. Musically, he combines lyrics, passion and tragedy, emphasizing her inner struggle between love and awareness of the imminent end. The performer must convey the full range of feelings – from happiness to pain, making this episode especially expressive.

The minor key adds a touch of sadness, and the climax of the aria is accompanied by a crescendo (increasing volume), which increases the emotional tension of the scene. Zhenya realizes that her love is doomed, but accepts this fate with dignity.

The musical scene is based on a gradual increase in emotional tension:

The beginning of the scene is a slow, thoughtful pace that conveys her inner doubts. The orchestra sounds muffled, dominated by the low registers of the strings, creating the effect of painful reflection.

Zhenya's main vocal line is smooth, filled with long drawn–out notes, which highlights her inner struggle. Her party is based on wide intervals, creating a sense of pent-up feeling.

Recurring motifs – the composer uses repeated repetitions of the name "Eugene" in the colonel's vocal line, which emphasizes his tenderness and desire to hold her, but at the same time the realization of the impossibility of being together.

The climax of the scene is when the female vocal part soars into the upper register, expressing the peak of her emotions, with the words "How I suffer, I can't be with you." This is accompanied by a powerful orchestral build-up, creating a cathartic effect.

The finale of the scene is a decrease in dynamics, a return to a thoughtful pace. The last notes in Zhenya's part are played on the breath, symbolizing her humility to fate.

Zhenya's scene with the colonel is not only a love episode, but also a symbolic scene of saying goodbye to personal happiness. Zhenya realizes that war does not give the right to love, and accepts it with dignity.

Zhenya's relationships with other girls are based on trust and sincerity. She is especially close to Rita Osyanina, who becomes her friend and ally. Although their characters are different — Rita is more restrained, Zhenya is more emotional — together they form a kind of core of the team. Unlike Osyanina, who is closed in her grief, Komelkova expresses her feelings openly, be it joy or pain.

Like the rest of the heroines, Zhenya's fate is tragic. In a key scene of the novel and opera, she consciously decides to divert the attention of the saboteurs in order to save the wounded Rita. Zhenya uses her speed and agility to lure enemies after her, but her plan turns out to be suicidal. She dies, realizing that her sacrifice gives her friend a chance to last longer ^[7].

This moment became one of the most emotionally intense scenes in Tang Jianping's opera production. Musically, Zhenya's farewell to life scene is full of dynamic contrasts: from lyrical motifs emphasizing her inner world to sharp dramatic chords symbolizing the approaching end. The composer uses a high soprano register, which makes Zhenya's aria especially intense and expressive ^[4].

At this moment, her party is filled with both determination and inner pain. She doesn't just go to certain death — she does it consciously, realizing that there is no other way out.

This episode represents a moment of intense emotional tension between the characters. Contrasting dynamic transitions, sharp phrases and dense orchestral texture emphasize the dramatic essence of the scene.

Figure 4. The contrast of fear and determination: an analysis of vocal interaction

Rita and Zhenya sing short, jerky phrases ("Shut up!"), and at high dynamics (fortissimo), which conveys the sharpness and urgency of the moment. Zhenya enters immediately after Rita, which creates the effect of a tense dialogue, as if she were interrupting a friend. A female choir (female soldiers, female villagers) joins after the main characters, adding a collective awareness of the importance of what is happening. Their vocal line is longer, but dynamically emphasizes anxiety ("There is a senior").

The piano part is full of short, sharp chords that give the scene anxiety and create a sense of haste. The accompaniment is dominated by trioli, which enhance the rhythmic tension. The dynamics increase dramatically towards the end, emphasizing the conflict and the significance of the words. Sharpness and categoricality – the phrases "Shut up!" should sound harsh, harsh, perhaps with a slight forcing of the voice. Feeling of anxiety – the voice should not be absolutely stable, shades of excitement are acceptable. Collective Awareness – The female chorus adds depth to the scene, showing that the conflict goes beyond personal dialogue.

This moment is one of the most intense in the scene of interaction between Rita, Zhenya and the rest of the characters. The composer uses sharp rhythmic patterns, dense orchestral texture and short, accented vocal phrases to convey the dramatic urgency of the moment.

Rita sings the phrase "You're not ashamed to say such things" on a relatively flat but tense line, expressing indignation and protest. Her party sounds like a rebuke, emphasizing the moral side of the situation.

Zhenya joins fortissimo ("Say, say") immediately after that, and her part is filled with power, dynamic burst and requires energetic performance. This is not just a remark, but a call to action. In this scene, Zhenya dramatically changes her mood – her voice sounds assertive, with clear rhythmic accents that emphasize her determination. The piano part is dominated by sharp, accented chords that create a rhythmic pulse of tension. Alternating trioles in the accompaniment creates a sense of movement, haste, and the accelerated rhythm of combat. The dynamics increase dramatically by the time Zhenya joins, emphasizing her impetuous decision to rush into battle.

Sharpness and determination – Zhenya must perform her part with force, without hesitation, in order to express her desire for action. Defiance and pressure – the emphasis on the words "Say, say" should sound like a challenge to fate, a desperate but confident step forward. The contrast with Rita's previous remark is that if Rita's part sounds rather condemnatory, then Zhenya responds aggressively, without holding back emotions.

This moment of the scene is a sharp emotional turning point, a moment of decision-making. Zhenya doesn't think anymore, she acts. The music highlights this transition through sharp accents, powerful chords in the accompaniment, and forced vocal delivery.

The phrase "I'm not afraid" is performed in a relatively low register, on steady notes, which gives it firmness and confidence. This is followed by "I'm Eugene with golden hair" – the melody becomes smoother, with slight upward jumps, which creates a sense of pride and awareness of one's own individuality. The repetition of "Beautiful Zhenya" is like her personal parting words to herself, a confirmation that she remains true to herself even in the face of death.

In this scene, the orchestra sounds minimalistic – sustained chords emphasize the strength of the vocal line. The low, almost silent notes in the accompaniment create a sense of tragic inevitability. The lack of active rhythmic movement makes this moment even more expressive – attention is focused on Zhenya's words. Firmness and confidence – the voice should sound steady, even, without excessive vibration. Pride and acceptance of fate – it is especially important to convey in the line "I am Eugene with golden hair" – this is not a cry, but a conscious statement. The fine line between strength and farewell – the last words should sound calm, but with a touch of tragic beauty.

This moment is the culmination of the image of Zhenya Komelkova. Here she accepts her fate, but she does it with pride and inner dignity. The musical minimalism and emphasis on the vocal line emphasize its power, making the scene one of the most memorable in the opera. The phrase "I won't be sad or regret it" has a smooth, confident melody, without sudden jumps, which emphasizes the calmness and awareness of the heroine. "I believe in my heart" – the vocal line rises slightly, which symbolizes Zhenya's confidence and firmness of beliefs. In the next fragment, "I don't need sympathy or protection," the intonation becomes firmer, almost harsh, and the rhythm becomes clearer. This highlights the heroine's resilience and her unwillingness to be the object of pity. The final phrase "But I still want to thank you, my friend" softens the emotional intensity, the melody becomes more extended, filled with warmth and gratitude.

The phrase "Come on" is repeated several times, creating a sense of defiance and readiness for the last fight. The final phrase "I'm here" is sung on a high note, which highlights her cry, the last challenge to the enemy.

The vocal part is extremely concise, but filled with a huge emotional charge – Zhenya does not beg, does not cry, but asserts his presence, accepting fate. The rhythmic structure of the accompaniment consists of clear trioles that create a marching tension resembling an alarm pulse. The piano sounds with repeated chords, like an echo of the approaching inevitable end. The dynamics are forte first, then mezzo-forte, creating the effect of a dramatic climax.

Determination and courage – the words "Come on" should not sound like a request, but like a challenge. Heroism and tragedy – "I'm here" should sound intense, sharp, at the limit of the emotional range. The last cry before death – the voice should be as intense as possible, perhaps with a slight boost, conveying an extreme degree of tension.

The tempo accelerates dramatically, and a marching rhythm appears, but not solemn, but with a hint of anxiety. The orchestra uses bright contrasting dynamic transitions, changing jerky chords to long, stringy notes, conveying a sense of impending disaster. The musical accompaniment acquires marching features, but not in a solemn, but in a slow, mournful tempo.

The orchestra uses thick low registers, creating a sense of impending tragedy. Zhenya's vocal line includes long, drawn-out notes, as if reflecting her last breath.

This scene uses harsh harmonies, expressive vocal jumps and dramatic pauses, creating an effect of absolute tension and tragedy. This is one of the most powerful musical episodes of the opera, conveying the understatement, tension and tragic ending of the heroine.

The beginning of the aria ("Apple trees and pears bloomed") sounds smooth, melodious, which creates a feeling of lightness and light sadness. Zhenya sings this phrase in the middle register, which gives the vocals softness and warmth.

The phrase "The mists have drifted over the river" has longer notes, which symbolizes movement, but in the context of the scene it is also a premonition of a tragic ending.

Choral voices pick up the melody, creating the effect of collective memory, as if this song sounds like an echo of the past.

The piano part supports the vocal line with smooth, chordal beats, emphasizing the marching character of the original song. However, the tempo is slower here, which makes the performance more nostalgic.

The accompaniment uses a gradual increase in dynamics, creating an effect of excitement, as if the music is preparing for an inevitable drama.

Chant phrases appear in the choral parts, giving the scene a touch of folk song, but with a sense of sad inevitability.

The use of Katusha in this episode not only highlights Zhenya's national identity, but also turns her image into a symbol of fading youth, sacrifice, and the memory of a life that can no longer be returned. At this moment, the heroine's voice sounds especially vivid, conveying not only memories, but also her farewell to life.

Composer Tang Jianping uses repetitive rhythms in her last scene, resembling a heartbeat that gradually fades. This technique enhances the emotional perception of the scene and creates a powerful sense of fatality and inevitability ^[9].

At this point, the music abruptly stops, creating the effect of emptiness. The last chords are the low, drawn—out sounds of cellos and double basses, symbolizing the passing of life.

As a result, the death of Zhenya Komelkova is one of the most powerful scenes in opera, where the composer uses the entire arsenal of musical means to convey the tragedy, heroism and inevitability of her fate.

Zhenya's death, like the deaths of other girls, shows that war does not spare anyone, especially those who are willing to sacrifice themselves for others. However, her departure does not look in vain: her image reflects the strength of spirit that allows physically weak but mentally strong people to become heroes.

Zhenya's ending is tragic, but at the same time majestic. In her last scene, a chorus is heard reflecting the collective memory of her feat. Her image, as in the original literary work, remains a symbol of fortitude, love of life and readiness for heroic deeds.

The image of Zhenya Komelkova in Tang Jianping's opera retains the key features described in Vasiliev's story: her courage, cheerfulness and self-sacrifice. However, in the musical interpretation, the emphasis is on the emotional disclosure of her personality through vocal parts and orchestral accompaniment. In this sense, the opera complements the literary source, making Zhenya's tragedy even deeper and more penetrating.

The composer endowed her vocal part with contrasting musical means. This evolution highlights the complexity of the heroine's inner world, her struggle between memories of the past, the hope of love, and the inevitable realization of her own sacrifice. Unlike other characters, her image is most emotionally revealed through music – from vivid lyrical fragments to the harsh dramatic accents accompanying her death.

The musical structure of Zhenya's part emphasizes her individuality and strength of character. Her last scene is not just a moment of tragic death, but also a symbol of sacrifice, embodied in a powerful orchestral development and culminating vocal rise. Zhenya's death becomes one of the most emotionally intense scenes of the opera, where her inner struggle and final acceptance of fate are conveyed through vocal intonations, dynamic jumps and contrasting timbres. Thus, Zhenya Komelkova appears not only as one of the heroines of the war drama, but also as a powerful symbol of resistance, love of life and dedication.