Composer

:

Alexander Sergeyevich Dargomizhsky

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

4:18

Svadba (The Wedding) is an opera in one act composed by Alexander Sergeyevich Dargomizhsky. The opera premiered on January 11, 1869, at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia. The libretto was written by the composer himself, based on a short story by Nikolai Gogol. The opera is divided into seven movements, each depicting a different stage of a traditional Russian wedding. The first movement, "The Betrothal," introduces the bride and groom and their families as they prepare for the wedding. The second movement, "The Bride's Farewell," shows the bride saying goodbye to her family and friends as she prepares to leave for her new home. The third movement, "The Wedding Procession," depicts the wedding party as they make their way to the church. The fourth movement, "The Church Service," shows the wedding ceremony itself. The fifth movement, "The Wedding Feast," depicts the celebration that follows the ceremony. The sixth movement, "The Bride's Lament," shows the bride's sadness at leaving her family and friends. The final movement, "The Departure," shows the bride and groom leaving for their new home. The music of Svadba is characterized by its use of traditional Russian folk melodies and rhythms. Dargomizhsky was known for his interest in folk music, and he incorporated many folk elements into his compositions. The opera also features a chorus, which sings traditional wedding songs throughout the work. Svadba was not well-received at its premiere, and it was only performed a few times before falling into obscurity. However, it has since been rediscovered and is now considered an important work in the Russian operatic repertoire. Its use of folk elements and its depiction of traditional Russian customs make it a valuable piece of cultural history.

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