Composer

:

Modest Mussorgsky

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1872 - 1880

Publication Date

:

1883

First Performance

:

Feb 21, 1886

Average_duration

:

148:21

"Khovanshchina" is an opera composed by Modest Mussorgsky in 1872-1880, but it was completed and orchestrated by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov after Mussorgsky's death. The opera premiered in 1886 in St. Petersburg, Russia. The plot of "Khovanshchina" is set in 17th century Russia during the reign of Tsar Peter the Great. The story revolves around the struggle for power between two noble families, the Khovansky and the Golitsyn. The Khovansky family, led by Prince Ivan Khovansky, is a group of Old Believers who oppose the reforms of the Tsar and seek to overthrow him. The Golitsyn family, led by Prince Vasily Golitsyn, is loyal to the Tsar and seeks to maintain the status quo. The opera is divided into five acts and features a large cast of characters, including historical figures such as Tsar Peter the Great and his advisor, Prince Menshikov. The music of "Khovanshchina" is characterized by its use of Russian folk melodies and its grand choral scenes. The first movement of the opera, "Dawn on the Moscow River," is a beautiful orchestral prelude that sets the scene for the drama to come. The second movement, "The Streltsy Uprising," features a large chorus and depicts the rebellion of the Streltsy, a group of Russian soldiers who were unhappy with the reforms of the Tsar. The third movement, "The Dance of the Persian Slaves," is a lively dance that takes place at a party hosted by Prince Ivan Khovansky. The fourth movement, "The Field of Khovansky," is the climax of the opera and features a large battle scene between the Khovansky and Golitsyn families. The final movement, "The Death of Ivan Khovansky," is a somber aria sung by Ivan Khovansky as he contemplates his impending death. Overall, "Khovanshchina" is a powerful and dramatic opera that explores themes of power, loyalty, and rebellion. Its use of Russian folk melodies and grand choral scenes make it a quintessentially Russian work of art.

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