Composer

:

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1895

Publication Date

:

1895

Average_duration

:

185:26

"The Snow Maiden (ii)" is an opera composed by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov in 1880. The plot is based on a Russian fairy tale about a young girl named Snegurochka, who is the daughter of Father Frost and Spring Beauty. Snegurochka is half-human and half-spirit, and she longs to experience the joys and sorrows of human life. The opera is divided into four acts and features a large cast of characters, including Snegurochka, her parents, a group of villagers, and several suitors who vie for Snegurochka's hand in marriage. The music is characterized by Rimsky-Korsakov's signature use of orchestral color and folk-inspired melodies. The first act takes place in the village of Berendeyevka, where the villagers are preparing for the arrival of Father Frost and Spring Beauty. Snegurochka appears and is immediately taken with the human world, but her parents warn her that she must be careful not to fall in love with a mortal. In the second act, Snegurochka meets a young shepherd named Lel, who is immediately smitten with her. However, Snegurochka is hesitant to reciprocate his feelings, as she is torn between her desire to experience human emotions and her duty to her spirit parents. The third act sees the arrival of several suitors, including the Tsar's son, who are all vying for Snegurochka's hand in marriage. However, Snegurochka is still unsure of her feelings and ultimately rejects them all. In the final act, Snegurochka finally succumbs to her human desires and falls in love with Lel. However, her happiness is short-lived, as she begins to melt in the warmth of the sun. As she dies, she is transformed into a spirit and returns to her parents in the spirit world. "The Snow Maiden (ii)" premiered on January 29, 1882, at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg. The opera is notable for its use of Russian folk melodies and its lush orchestration, which has made it a favorite among audiences and performers alike.

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