Based on a true story
Count Orlov is a remarkable tale of love and
betrayal. It is based on one of the most dramatic episodes
in
the history of the Russian Empire, of which the real facts are still
buried in mystery. The Moscow Operetta Theatre offers its
version of the story brilliantly told by the renowned
playwright July Kim.
The play is set in the
second half of the 18th century during the reign of Catherine the Great. Count Alexey Orlov, who had once contributed
to Catherine the Great’s rise to power, falls out of favor and
is sent away in disgrace to lead the navy in
Italy. While there, he meets a beautiful
young woman
named Elizabeth who
has aspirations for the Russian crown. She claims to be the
granddaughter
of Peter the Great. In an attempt to win back
Catherine's affection by uncovering Elizabeth's
plans,
Orlov begins an affair. However,
what starts off as an innocent fling soon turns into
something
far more serious.
