Composer

:

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1880 - 1881

Publication Date

:

1881

First Performance

:

Jan 29, 1882

Average_duration

:

181:07

Movement_count

:

47

Movement ....

"The Snow Maiden (i)" is an opera composed by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov in 1881. The plot is based on a Russian fairy tale about a girl named Snegurochka, who is the daughter of Father Frost and Spring Beauty. Snegurochka is a snow maiden who longs to experience the joys of human life. She falls in love with a young shepherd named Lel, but her heart is unable to feel the warmth of love. The opera premiered on January 29, 1882, at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia. It consists of four acts and is written in the style of Russian folk music. The music is characterized by its use of colorful orchestration, intricate harmonies, and lyrical melodies. The first act takes place in the village of Berendeyevka, where the villagers are preparing for the spring festival. Snegurochka appears and is welcomed by the villagers. She sings a song about her longing to experience human emotions. In the second act, Snegurochka meets Lel, and they fall in love. However, Snegurochka's heart is unable to feel the warmth of love, and she is torn between her desire to be with Lel and her duty to her father, Father Frost. The third act takes place at the spring festival, where Snegurochka dances with Lel. However, as the sun rises, Snegurochka begins to melt, and she disappears. The final act takes place in the realm of Father Frost, where Snegurochka is reunited with Lel. However, she is unable to stay with him, and she returns to her father's realm. "The Snow Maiden (i)" is a beautiful and enchanting opera that captures the essence of Russian folk music and fairy tales. Its movements are characterized by their use of colorful orchestration, intricate harmonies, and lyrical melodies. The opera premiered to critical acclaim and has since become a beloved classic of the Russian opera repertoire.

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