The Cherry Orchard


Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(4.3 stars; 38 reviews)

The Cherry Orchard is Russian playwright Anton Chekhov's last play. It premiered at the Moscow Art Theatre 17 January 1904 in a production directed by Constantin Stanislavski. Chekhov intended this play as a comedy and it does contain some elements of farce; however, Stanislavski insisted on directing the play as a tragedy. Since this initial production, directors have had to contend with the dual nature of this play.

The play concerns an aristocratic Russian woman and her family as they return to the family's estate (which includes a large and well-known cherry orchard) just before it is auctioned to pay the mortgage. The story presents themes of cultural futility — both the futility of the aristocracy to maintain its status and the futility of the bourgeoisie to find meaning in its new-found materialism. In reflecting the socio-economic forces at work in Russia at the turn of the 20th century, including the rise of the middle class after the abolition of serfdom in the mid-19th century and the sinking of the aristocracy, the play reflects forces at work around the globe in that period.
(Summary from Wikipedia, edited by Elizabeth Klett) (2 hr 1 min)

Chapters

Dramatis Personae 2:05 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Act 1 38:18 Read by Denny Sayers (d. 2015)
Act 2 27:18 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Act 3 29:39 Read by hefyd
Act 4 24:04 Read by Andy Minter (1934-2017)

Reviews

good


(4 stars)

It definitely leaves a strong impression. I found it a little difficult to follow who was speaking but that's part of the challenge with listening to a play without seeing the actors. I will probably check it out again sometime. He authors short stories are so fantastic and he is such a talent. Well read overall. Thanks!


(5 stars)

great reading. I especially enjoyed the performance of the women who read for anya and madame lyubov.

Good reading!


(4.5 stars)

Some of the characters had a great dramatic reading. It was pleasant in general.