Composer

:

Alexander Borodin

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1869 - 1887

Publication Date

:

1888

First Performance

:

Nov 4, 1890

Average_duration

:

117:35

Movement_count

:

13

Movement ....

Prince Igor is an opera composed by Alexander Borodin, a Russian composer, in the late 19th century. The opera was composed between 1869 and 1887, and it was left unfinished at the time of Borodin's death in 1887. The opera was completed by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and Alexander Glazunov, two of Borodin's colleagues. The opera premiered on November 18, 1890, at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia. The opera is set in the 12th century and tells the story of Prince Igor, a Russian prince who goes to war against the Polovtsians, a nomadic tribe from the east. The opera is divided into four acts and has a prologue. The first act begins with Prince Igor preparing for war against the Polovtsians. He leaves his wife, Yaroslavna, in charge of his kingdom while he is away. The Polovtsians, led by Khan Konchak, defeat Igor's army and capture him. In the second act, Igor is held captive by the Polovtsians, and his wife and son are left to defend their kingdom against the Polovtsians. In the third act, Igor's brother-in-law, Prince Galitsky, takes advantage of Igor's absence and tries to seize power. Yaroslavna and her people are able to defeat Galitsky and his army. In the fourth act, Igor is released from captivity and returns to his kingdom. He is welcomed back by his people, and the opera ends with a celebration. Prince Igor is known for its use of Russian folk melodies and its grand orchestration. The opera includes several famous pieces, including the Polovtsian Dances, which are often performed as a standalone piece. The opera also features a large chorus, which is used to great effect in the Polovtsian scenes. Overall, Prince Igor is a grand and epic opera that tells a story of war, love, and betrayal. It is a masterpiece of Russian opera and remains popular to this day.

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