Composer

:

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1903

Publication Date

:

1903

Average_duration

:

11:48

Movement_count

:

4

Movement ....

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's opera 'The Snow Maiden' was composed in 1880 and premiered on January 29, 1882, at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia. The opera is based on a play by Alexander Ostrovsky, which tells the story of 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 prologue. The first act takes place in the village of Berendeyevka, where the villagers are preparing for the spring festival. Snegurochka appears and is immediately taken with the beauty of the village and its people. She meets a young shepherd named Lel and falls in love with him. In the second act, Snegurochka and Lel declare their love for each other, but Snegurochka is torn between her desire to be with Lel and her duty to her father, Father Frost. She ultimately decides to leave Lel and return to her father. The third act takes place at the spring festival, where Snegurochka appears as a beautiful young woman. She is courted by several men, including the Tsar's son, but she rejects them all. Lel appears at the festival and is heartbroken to see Snegurochka with other suitors. In the fourth act, Snegurochka realizes that she cannot live without Lel and decides to return to him. However, her father forbids her from doing so, and she dies of a broken heart. The opera ends with Lel mourning Snegurochka's death. Rimsky-Korsakov's music for 'The Snow Maiden' is characterized by its use of folk melodies and colorful orchestration. The opera features several memorable arias, including Snegurochka's "Song of the Snow Maiden" and Lel's "Song of the Shepherd." The music also includes several ballet sequences, which showcase Rimsky-Korsakov's skill as an orchestrator. Overall, 'The Snow Maiden' is a beautiful and poignant opera that explores themes of love, duty, and the human experience. Its memorable music and colorful characters have made it a beloved work in the operatic repertoire.

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