Composer

:

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1878 - 1879

Publication Date

:

1893

First Performance

:

Jan 9, 1880

Average_duration

:

109:08

May Night is an opera composed by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov in 1879. The plot of the opera is based on a short story by Nikolai Gogol, which tells the story of a young couple, Levko and Hanna, who fall in love during the May Night festival in a Ukrainian village. The festival is a time of celebration, and the villagers are preparing for the arrival of the wealthy landowner, Kalenik, who is coming to choose a bride from among the local girls. Levko, a poor but handsome young man, is in love with Hanna, the daughter of the village mayor. However, Hanna's father has promised her hand in marriage to Kalenik, hoping to improve his own social standing. Levko and Hanna decide to elope, but their plans are complicated by the arrival of a group of gypsies, who are also in town for the festival. The gypsies are led by the charismatic and mysterious Chub, who is rumored to have magical powers. Chub takes an interest in Hanna, and Levko becomes jealous. Meanwhile, Kalenik arrives and begins to court the local girls, including Hanna. Levko and Hanna's plans to elope are further complicated by the interference of the village priest, who disapproves of their relationship. The opera is divided into four acts, each of which corresponds to a different movement. The first act is set in the village square, where the May Night festival is taking place. The second act takes place in the forest, where Levko and Hanna plan to elope. The third act is set in Chub's camp, where the gypsies are celebrating. The final act takes place back in the village, where the various plot threads are resolved. One of the characteristics of May Night is its use of folk melodies and rhythms, which give the opera a distinctly Ukrainian flavor. Rimsky-Korsakov was known for his interest in folk music, and he incorporated many traditional Ukrainian songs and dances into the score. The opera also features a large chorus, which plays an important role in the May Night festival scenes. May Night premiered in St. Petersburg in 1880, and was well-received by audiences and critics alike. It has since become one of Rimsky-Korsakov's most popular operas, and is still performed regularly today. The opera's themes of love, jealousy, and social class are timeless, and its lively music and colorful characters make it a joy to watch.

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