Pour révenir ŕ
l'ENCYCLOPEDIE, cliquez iciN. A. Rimsky-Korsakov
Libretto was written by N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov. This opera was staged January 7 1898 for the first time.
Episode 1
Novgorod.
Merchants are having a feast. Enters psaltery player, Sadko. He sings about
wonderful future: they?ll have big ship which would sail everywhere to the glory
of Novgorod. Merchants consider these words impudent and dangerous. They drive
Sadko away.
Episode 2
Summer night. Sadko is singing about his dreams near the lake. His sweet
song attracts white swans. Reaching the shore, the turn into beautiful ladies.
They are daughters of Sea king.
Day is breaking. Sisters have to return
back. Volhova, the youngest daughter gives him three golden fish as a present.
They will bring him luck.
Episode 3
Lubava, the wife of Sadko, suspects that he
doesn’t love her any more. Sadko returns home and tells her of his decision to find a
big golden fish in the lake. Lubava tries to persuade him not to do it, but it’s
useless.
Episode 4
The fair in Novgorod. Merchants laugh at
Sadko being poor.
He promises to catch golden fish, but nobody believes him. Sadko bets he will do it.
He pawns his life and the merchants pawn their money. Sadko goes to the lake.
Volhova kept her promise: he catches three golden fish which turn into golden
bars. He equips the ship, says goodbye to his wife and sets out for a long
travelling.
Episode 5
Twelve years Sadko was travelling by
the sea.
They are in the open sea. There is no wind, the ship can’t move
on. It’s because the Sea king is very angry with Sadko – he didn’t pay
tribute to him. Sadko desides to go to the bottom of the see.
Episode 6
The sea king is furious, but his daughter Volhova asks
Sadko to sing. His
song makes the king to change his mind. He allows the wedding. All kinds of sea
beings take part in it.
Sadko returns back with Volhova, who turns to be a
river.
Episode 7
Sadko is sleeping at the
Ilmen-lake. Volhova is singing her farewell song – she won’t be a human anymore.
Sadko wakes up
and cheerfully greets his wife Lubava, whom he didn’t see for many years.
Music by B.V. Asafiev
4 acts balley.
Story by N. Volkov after
the poem of A.
Pushkin
Act 1.
An old
park in front of a Polish magnate castle. There is a ball going on - a birthday
party of Marie, his beautiful daughter. Marie and her fiancee Vatslav are
tenderly in love.
A tartar spy is creeping along the alley, but
nobody notices the disaster.
The doors of the castle are wide open. Sounds
of polonaise are heard; the guests are coming down to the park. Before others
there are master with his beautiful daughter.
The guests are
dancing national dances when the wounded guard's chief suddenly interrupts the
celebration. He brought the troubled news about tartars’ raid. Prince Adam calls
the men up to weapons. The ladies are hiding in the castle. The Poles bare their
sabers and get ready to repulse the enemies’ attack.
The castle is
on fire. The mortal combat is over, the castle defenders are killed.
Miraculously alive Marie and Vatslav run out of the castle, but the raids’ chief
- the khan of Crimea Ghirey bars their way. Trying to protect Marie Vatslav
dashes at his enemy, but falls immediately struck down with the dagger. The khan
tears the scarf off Marie, and freezes struck by her beauty.
Act 2.
The harem of khan Ghirey in
Bakhchisaray. Among the slaves there is khans’ favourite wife Zarema. The sounds
of martial music are heard - Ghirey’s troops are coming back from the campaign.
The harem is impatient waiting for their master. The tartars are carrying rich
plunder. Captured Marie is carefully held.
Ghirey enters the harem.
Zarema is the first to welcome him trying to entertain her master, but in vane -
Ghirey keeps cool and indifferent. The servant-girl brings the new captive.
Zarema notices that khan is very pleased, he does nothing but watches Marie.
Zarema understands that she has lost her master love. In vane does she try to
make his sympathies come back. Pushing her away Ghirey leaves the room. In
despair she faints.
Act 3.
Marie’s bedroom. Under guard of
an old servant the beautiful captive is languishing. The sounds of lute remind
her about her lost freedom, her homeland. The images of serene past are passing
one by one.
Ghirey comes and breaks up the happy memories. Humbly
he asks Marie to accept his love, to come in possession of all his treasures, as
she possesses his heart. Marie keeps aloof. The love of Ghirey who killed her
beloved, relatives and friends only arouses horror and disgust. Unshakable pride
of the unprotected young lady makes the khan retreat. He leaves.
In the night, totally unnoticed Zarema sneaks into Marie’s bedroom. Blind with
the jealousy she demands Marie to give her love and sympathies of Ghirey back.
Zarema is full of unbridled passion, her speeches startle the girl. In vane does
she try to calm down her “rival”. Zarema notices Ghirey’s tyubeteika, the
suspicions come surging and restart the fire of jealousy. Mad burst of anger
makes her dash at Marie with the dagger. When Ghirey comes in running, it is
already late. Marie is dead.
Act 4.
The yard of the Bakhcisaray
palace. Immersed in uneasy thaughts Ghirey seats surrounded by his devoted
warriors. Nothing brings him pleasure, nor rich plunder of the last campaign nor
beautiful captives. Execution of Zarema, who was throuwn to precipice according
to khans order, doesn’t bring him any relief from his distress. Ghirey’s
favorite commander tries to distract his master from his soul sufferings with
the martial dance. Ghirey shows no interest to it.
Epilogue.
Ghirey
is seating by the “fontain of tears” wich was built to commemorate Matie. The
images of the past appear and disapear reviving the aspect of the beautiful
girl.
Opera in 3 acts
Composed by G. Biset
Libretto is written A. Meliak and L. Galevi
On the central square of Seville near
the cigar factory there is a guard post. Carmen appears. Brave & spirited
she is used to rule over. Her meeting with Jose the horseman awakes passion in
her. She sings habanera – a song of free love as a challenge to Jose &
throws a flower to his feet promising love. Jose’s bride Michaella’s entrance
overshadows temporarily the image of daring gypsy girl. Jose recalls his native
village, his home, his mother gives himself up to reverie. And again Carmen
breaks piece. This time she appears to be a reason of the quarrel on the factory
& Jose must take her to prison. But her charmes are overall. So Jose breaks
the order & helps Carmen to escape.
In a Lilas-Pastia’s tavern
the fun is at its high point. This is a place of the secret meetings of
smugglers in which Carmen takes part. In darkness of the night the smugglers are
going to a risky affair. This time Carmen refuses to join them. She is waiting
for her friend. Jose comes to the tavern the prior arranged place of meeting but
the joy of their rendezvous is quite short. The sound of a military bugle calls
the horseman back to barracks. In his heart passion fights with duty. Carmen is
annoyed. It is going to be a quarrel between lovers. Suddenly Suniga the chief
of Jose appears. He hopes for the Karmen’s favour. Jose bares his sword in
jealousy. Military oath is broken & there is no more way to barracks for
Jose. He stays with Carmen in order to start a new life full of trouble &
danger.
Late in the night smuggles stopped for the rest in the
mountains. Jose & Carmen are with them. But they can’t forget the quarrel in
the town. The difference between two lovers is too big. Jose dreams about a
peaceful life of a peasant & he suffers from his betrayal to his duty &
misses his home. Only his passionate love to Carmen keeps him with smugglers.
But Carmen doesn’t love him any more. And the breaking off between them is
unavoidable. Suddenly Escamilio comes, the toreador who is constantly merry
& self-confident. He hurries to meet Carmen. Jose bars his way. Jealousy
& annoyance flash in his heart. Carmen stops the rival’s fight. At this
moment Jose sees Michaella who fearlessly came to smugglers to take Jose away.
But he doesn’t listen to her words. Only the news about his mother’s fatal
disease brought by Michaela forces Jose leave Carmen. But they will meet soon.
A bright sunny day. A square in Seville is overcrowded. All the
people waiting patiently for bulls fight to start. Joyfully & uproariously
they welcome the procession of heroes of corrida headed by the favourite of all
present – Escamilio. Carmen also welcomes him. Her friends warn her of the
danger: Jose relentlessly pursuits her. But Carmen doesn’t want to listen to
them & goes to the circus. Jose stops her he addresses to her with tender
love. He can’t believe that she has stopped love him. But Carmen’s answer is
inexorable. Their relations come to an end. “I was born free & I’ll die
free”, - she says proudly. Losing his temper Jose kills Carmen & falls to
her feet crying.
Composed by Sh. Guno
Opera in 4
acts with prologue
G. Barbe and M. Karre write libretto
Night. Study of a medieval
scientist. Doctor Faust is sitting in deep thoughts. He has no forces to solve
mysteries of nature, to find the meaning of existence. Faust take a decision to
die But sounds of awaken town changes his decision .He wants to be young again
and calls for the evil spirit. Mephistopheles appears. He agrees to fulfil every
wish of the doctor but he wants his soul as a reward. Faust hesitates. Satan
summons an image of young and beautiful Margaret to take doubts away.
Hesitations are rejected: Faust drains a cup of a magic drink – he is young
again.
Students and citizens have a feast on the square. Right
behind them soldiers is seen off. Valentine is among them; he is an axiom about
leaving his beloved sister Margaret alone. Zibel – young admirer of hers –
swears ardently to be truthful defender.
Mephistopheles joins the company
imperceptibly. To a great amazement of the present he predicts their destiny: to
Vagner – death in a battle, to Valentine – death on a duel, to Zibel – that
flowers will die in his hands in the moment he pick up them.
With a
challenge he proposes a toast to Margaret. Insulted Valentine rushes in a fury
to a foreigner but his sword breaks in the air.
Pairs dance merry
waltz. Faust comes to Margaret & invites her to walk down the town. Margaret
refuses modestly.
Garden before Margaret’s house. Zibel fell in love, gather
flowers for her. But they fade if he touches them – prophecy of Margaret is
realised. Faust comes to the garden, creeped over with anxious agitation:
Innocence & beauty of Margaret subjugated him. Left the gift, carried by
Margaret, Faust goes away. Margaret returns home, meeting on the square left a
deep sign in her soul. Having seen a box with presents Margaret try them on.
It’s getting dark Faust & Margaret returns to the garden. Having left the
lovers alone Satan conjures flowers – they must lull the beauty’s conscience.
Margaret can’t struggle with her feelings any more & confesses in love to
Faust.
...Margaret comes to church, tortured with grief & shame.
She is left & disgraced by Faust. Her pray doesn’t give her calmness, she
hears voices of evil spirits, and citizens greet soldiers, returned with
victory. Zibel tries to warn Valentine about the grief that happened to his
sister, asks to be more kind to her. On the lonely street before Margaret’s
house comes Faust, he feels burden – he doomed his beloved to shame &
disgrace. Mephistopheles invites Margaret to rendezvous with a derisive
serenade. Valentine appears & he & Faust begin a duel. Wounded to death
Valentine damns his sister & predicts a disgraceful death to her. Margaret
becomes crazy.
Margaret in prison waits for an execution: she
killed her baby in a fit of madness. Faust comes to save her. She becomes
conscious for a moment but having seen an ominous figure of Mephistopheles she
faints away.
Walpurgis Night. Inhabitants of the Hell celebrate
their holiday. Mephistopheles wants Faust forget Margaret drinking wine but
nothing can carry away her light image from Faust’s memory.
Composed by P. I.
Chaikovsky
Lyrical opera in 1 act
The author writes himself libretto
himself
In the of France there is a castle
of Provence’s king Renet. Here lives a young king’s daughter Iolanta. She is
blind from birth but she doesn’t know about it. The king ordered that the awful
secret should be thoroughly kept & no stranger dares to come to the castle
under the fear of death. In her happy ignorance Iolanta spends her days
light-heartedly among her friends.The king invites a famous Mavritan doctor. He
waits for his answer anxiously. The doctor says that the recovery is possible
but only if Iolanta learns about her misfortune. Only if she longs for regaining
her sight the healing will help. But the king remains inexorable.
Occasionally two knights come to the garden. They are Robert & Vodemon.
Robert was engaged to Iolanta in his childhood but he has never seen her &
doesn’t know that she is blind. As Vodemon comes to the terrace he sees sleeping
Iolanta. Her innocently beautiful image charms the young knight. His
unintentional exclamation of admire wakes her. Excitement of the young knight
compels Iolanta’s heart answer. She is perturbed & excited with the dawning
feeling. When they say goodbye to each other Vodemon asks her to give him a red
rose. Iolanta gives him a white one. In horror the knight is convinced of the
fact that the girl is blind. Sympathizing her he tells her about how beautiful
the world is. Iolanta listens to him in ecstasies. The king appears. Having
learned that the stranger has revealed the secret of the light to Iolanta, he
becomes annoyed but the doctor calms him. Now the way to recovery is opened
& only the great desire to regain her sight is needed. The king guesses
about love between young people & pretends to kill him if Iolanta can’t see.
For the rescuing of her beloved Iolanta is ready to bear all pangs. The healing
is successful. In surprise & excitement of her fist glance at the world
Iolanta recognizes her father her friends & Vodemon who will protect her
now.
The Legend about the invisible city Kiteg & a young maiden Fevronia
Composed by N. A.
Rimsky-Korsakov
Opera in 4 acts
V. I. Belsky writes libretto
In the deep forests of Volga
River region there stands a small wooden hut that belongs to the beauty
Fevronia. Her days are full of pure joy, calm thoughts & rest. Beasts are
coming birds are flying when they hear her voice. Once they have surrounded
Fevronia smuggling up to her & a foreign youth appears from the bushes
dressed like a prince’s huntsman. Fevronia meets him affably. The youth is
surprised with her enthusiastic speeches about the beauty of nature, about the
happiness of living under the vaults of mighty wood. They like each other &
decide to change rings. The youth has gone away when marksmen hunters appear
headed by Feodor Poiarka who are searching for their mate. They tell Fevronia
that a young man to whom she has engaged was prince Vsevolod.
People
gather on the Market Square of small Kiteg, waiting impatiently for the bride
& her groom to come. Citizens greet their hostess joyfully. Girls start
singing wedding songs. But suddenly the sounds of battle horns are heard &
crowds of people run pursued by the Tatars. The Tatars are evil but nobody of
inhabitants agrees to point at their prince & to show the way to the Great
Kiteg. The Tatars threaten Grishka the Bustle & he can’t stand it; being
afraid of the torment he agrees to lead the Tarar’s horde.
People
have gathered near one of the churches of the Great Kiteg en to the messenger
Feodor Poiarka. The present is shocked by his sad story about people’s
misfortune. There are rumours that Fevronia leads horde to the city. Prince
Vsevolod gathers his troops.
A pitch-dark night. Grishka has led the
Tatars & captured Fevronia with them to the Svetloiar Lake. The Tatarians
warriors don’t believe the traitor: they fasten him to the tree to wait till
morning come & start to divide the loot they have robbed. They boast of
their victory upon Kiteg forces, tell the story of Vsevolod’s death.
Crishka the Bustle feels the pangs of conscious. He asks Fevronia to let him go
allowing him to pray for the sin of betrayal. Fevronia frees the poor drinker.
Grishka wants to run but can’t do that: the bells ringing fill his soul with an
irresistible fear. He rushes to the lake to drown but stand still, watching the
fantastic scene: the first sun beams show an empty shore of Svetloiar & a
reflection of the Great Kiteg in the lake. The Attars also see the reflection of
the invisible city. This mysterious scene frightens them to panic & they run
away forgetting everything.
In the deep forest Fevronia &
Grishka steal through tenacious bushes & wind-fallen trees. They are hungry
& tired. The Bustle who can’t bear the torment of conscious disappears in a
thicket. Fevronia, growing weak, lies down on the grass asking the death saviour
to come. Mysterious flowers blossom near her, voices of heaven’s birds predict
her rest & happiness & a spirit of Vsevolod come from the glade.
Fevronia, full of strength again, rushes herself to him & they move slowly
to the Great Kiteg.
On the square of miraculously transformed city
there are lots of people in white clothes. Fevronia observes the magic city with
surprise. Followed by the music of heaven’s flutes people continue the wedding
song that they have not finished in the Small Kiteg.
Opera in 4 acts with
prologue
Composed by S. S. Prokofiev
The author writes himself libretto himself on the
plot of Karlo Gossi
The crowd of Doctors, having
examined the Prince, came with the report
To the king Tref. Insuperable
hypochondriac phenomenon, - that was
Their conclusion.
The
king and his courtier Pantalon grieve for that but suddenly the king recollects
that Doctors have told about one medicine – laughter. He calls Truffaldino - the
man who able to make laugh, - and orders to him to arrange a cheerful holiday.
The king gives back he similar order to the Prime Minister Leander, who adopts
it hostilely - he is not interested in recovery of the Prince.
Royal palace. Leander is gloomy. Princess Klariche reminds him, that in case of
the death of Prince she will be the heiress of the throne and if Leander marry
her he would become a king. Prince needs opium or bullet, - declares she
cynically.
In large smart palace of the royal castle there is a
performance. On the terrace the King, Klariche and Prince sit wrapped in fur
coats. Merry performances don’t not cause a smile of Prince. Upset Truffaldino
notices an unknown old woman and drives her away with malice. She rebels angrily
and falls on the ground ridiculously. And suddenly laughter of prince is heard
caused by the old woman’s falling. But then furious Fata Morgana, and it there
was just she, rises and advances on Prince with words of incantation: “Fall in
love with three oranges”. The pledge begins to work immediately, and Prince with
unknown inflow of energy gets on the way, taking Truffaldino with himself.
On a road to the castle of the evil magician Kreonta, where those
three oranges are, prince and Truffaldino go. The wizard Cheliy who protects
Prince, gives them a magic bow, with the help of which Price and Truffaldino
steal three oranges from the kitchen of the terrible cook giantess.
A desert. Tired Prince and Truffaldino drag three appreciably
evolved oranges. Prince falls asleep because of the weariness and Truffaldino
decides to cut one orange, forgetting about Cheliy’s precautions. But instead of
juice princess Linetta comes from an orange and asks for a drink. Watching her
weakening from thirst Truffaldino opens the second orange. The second princess
Nikoletta appears from and also asks for a drink. Both princesses die, and
Truffaldino escapes in horror.
Prince wakes up. He charges to the soldiers
to bury of the died girls, and decides to cut the last orange: “I know, my
happiness is hidden in it”. Princess Ninetta appears and delighted Prince
declares his love. Ninetta gently assures; that she has been waiting for him for
a long time, but suddenly she turns pale and implores Prince to bring her some
water otherwise she will die from thirst. Here Cranks interfere in a course of
events. They take out a bucket of water.
Prince go away for the
royal dress for Ninetta Fata Morgana and Smeraldina creep to unprotected
princess & thrust a magic pin into the head of Ninetta and she turns into a
rat and Smeraldina occupies her place.
Prince appears with the
King, Klariche, Leander, and Pantalone. But instead of a snow-white Ninetta he
sees a dark-skinned Smeraldina before him, who declares, that she is a princess
whom Prince has promised to marry. Prince is in horror, but the King tells,
that the imperial word is immutable so he should marry her.
Everything is ready for the wedding in the throne hall. The velvet canopy
rises; everyone sees huge rat on a throne intended for princess. The wizard
Cheliy conjures a rat to turn into Ninetta.
The king Tref
sentences Leandeer, Klariche and Smeraldi to an execution, but villains escape.
Suddenly Fata Morgana appears and rescues the accomplices from execution,
failing to the Hell together with them.
Madama Butterfly
Composed by J. Puccini
Opera in 2 acts
The authors of libretto – L. Illika & D. Jakos
Lieutenant of American navy
Pinkerton fell in love with a young Japanese Chio-Chio-San whose nickname was
butterfly & decided to marry her. Consul Sharples tries to convince him
against this passion – Pinkerton doesn’t want to listen to any persuasions: “To
pick up flowers where it is possible” – this is his life philosophy.
Chio-Chio-San loves ardently her future husband. She is able to adopt
Christianity & to break with her family. The ceremony of wedding begins in
the presence of the Emperor’s commissar. The voice of Bonza uncle of
Chio-Chio-San interrupts it damning his niece. Left by all relatives the girl
cries in grief, Pinkerton consoles her. It is getting dark. Having calmed
herself Chio-Chio-San hides in a house with her husband.
3 years
have passed. Pinkerton rode away soon after marriage & Chio-Chio-San waits
for him. Without help of husband & relatives she becomes poor but she hopes
for the best. She refuses without any thought to become a wife of a rich
Japanese Jamadory. Pinkerton sends a letter on the consul’s name. Lieutenant
asks “ carefully & softly to prepare Butterfly to a break. But Sharples
can’t fulfil this commission: Chio-Chio-San is convinced that her beloved
husband will be back. At last the hour she longed for comes – an American ship
lands in the port, Pinkerton must be on board. Chio-Chio-San decorates room with
flowers, puts on her wedding dress.
The night went away but
Chio-Chio-San waited in vain. Tired she stops looking out of the window &
falls asleep lulling the baby. There is a knock in the door & Pinkerton
comes with Sharples. Pinkerton arrived not alone he took his American wife -
Kate with him. Couple arrived for the baby. Chio-Chio-San will give The
night went away but Chio-Chio-San waited in vain. Tired she stops looking out of
the window & falls asleep lulling the baby. There is a knock in the door
& Pinkerton comes with Sharples. Pinkerton arrived not alone he took his
American wife - Kate with him. Couple arrived for the baby. Chio-Chio-San will
give the baby back –the will of the father is sacred for her. But she herself
can’t stand the grief & disgrace. Having gently parted to her son
Chio-Cio-San kills she with a knife.
Composed by P. I.
Chaikovsky
Opera in 3 acts
V. P. Burenin writes libretto on the plot of
A. S. Pushkin’s poem “Poltava”
Kochubey’s farmstead near
Poltava. His daughter, beautiful Maria comes to the garden & with her heart
trembling listens to the voices heard from the house. They receive an important
guest there – an omnipotent getman Mazepa. Hiding from parents she fell in love
with him. She feels that her love to the old man will bring her death but she
can’t stand her passion.
Kochubey is outraged by the old man’s pretensions.
The quarrel begins. At the peak of the clash Mazepa suggests Maria to decide
herself whether she wants to be with him or with her father. Maria chooses the
grey-haired getman & leaves her house.
Kochubey’s true friends have
gathered together in his house. Lubov, Iskra & Andrew share his sorrow.
Kochubey has decided: he has understood Mazepa ‘s plans of betrayal. The mean
ambitious man thought of seizing Ukraine from Russia & giving it to another
country. It is necessary to warn Tzar Peter about this treacherous plan.
Kochubey’s friends support him. Andrew who hates Mazepa greatly wants to bring
denunciation to Moscow himself.
A cell in Mazepa’s castle. Tzar
Peter hasn’t believed Kochubey’s denunciation & handed Kochubey & Iskra
over to Mazepa. There is the last night before execution. Kochubey parts with
his wife Lubov. He is ready to die rather then to subdue to the traitor.
Mazepa’s room. He is tormented by contraversary feelings – his love
to Maria & his thirst for revenge to Kochubey. But love of power
predominates. Mazepa orders Orlik to execute Kochubey & Iskra at dawn.
Troubled Maria comes. It seems to her that she means nothing to getman now.
Mazepa tries to persuade her that he loves her & soothing her reveals her
ambitious plan.
In the outburst of excited worship Maria imagines
getman a Ukraine’s tzar. She is blinded with her love to Mazepa. Getman asks her
carefully: “Say, whether husband or father is dearer to you?» She answers “You
are the most dear for me”. Maria is ready to sacrifice everything for Mazepa.
Suddenly Lubov appears Maria’s mother. She asks her daughter to
rescue Kochubey from execution. Maria doesn’t believe in her words. So Lubov
tells her about the arranged massacre. Shocked by these Maria hurries up to the
place of execution.
Lubov & Maria run to the square but they
can’t stop the action – the execution is already over. Maria becomes mad.
The ruined Kochubey’s farmstead. A battle is getting over somewhere in
distance. The Swedes are defeated. Mazepa & Orlik who have led the enemy to
Ukraine escape from the battlefield.
During the battle Andrew
searched for getman but in vain. And suddenly Mazepa and Orlik tired with a long
ride appear near the house. Andrew bares his sword & rushes to Mazepa; the
latter wounds him mortally. Maria obsessed with grief comes from the wood.
Shocked Mazepa tries to soothe her. But Maria doesn’t recognize him. She hates
this strange & horrible man. Orlik reminds of the near chase & Mazepa
again runs away. Maria bends to wounded Andrew but also doesn’t recognize him.
The kozak dies listening to the lullaby of mad Maria.
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