The Snow Maiden

  • The Spring Fairy (mezzo- soprano)
  • King Frost ( bass)
  • The Snow Maiden (soprano )
  • The Forest Spirit (Tenor)
  • Häusler Bakula and his wife (tenor, soprano )
  • The Faschingspopanz ( bass)
  • Tsar Barendej (Tenor)
  • Bermata, a boyar ( bass)
  • Lel, a shepherd (Alto)
  • Kupawa, a rich young girl (soprano )
  • Misgir, a merchant (baritone )
  • Jarilo, the Sun God ( silent role )
  • Boyars and entourage, singers, minstrels, the aftermath of the Tsar, servants, forest spirits, Rufer (chorus )

The Snow Maiden (Russian Снегурочка, scientific transliteration Sneguročka ) is an opera in a prologue and four acts by Nikolai Rimsky -Korsakov, who also wrote the libretto. The opera is based on the eponymous fairy tale drama by Alexander Ostrovsky, in which the heroine is Sneguročka from the Russian fairy tale in the center of the action. The opera was premiered in its first version in 1882 in St. Petersburg, Rimsky -Korsakov himself revised the opera to a second version, which was just premiered here in 1898. The opera will be played today in the second version. In the opera, the ballet plays a major role, with the magical elements are transported.

Action

Prologue

On a hill near the village Berendei

A forest spirit announced at midnight that spring is around the corner. The spring fairy appears and accuses the birds their suffering: they must be separated from her daughter Snow Maiden, whose father is the king frost. The sun god Jarilo sentenced to death by melting snow flakes. This judgment will be enforced as soon as Schneeflöckchen an earthly man gives himself in love. Only when she spends the summer in innocence, Schneeflöckchen can experience the next winter.

Frost King and the Spring Fairy let their daughter back with a peasant couple. Schneeflöckchen feels well in the village, especially the young shepherd Lel like her. She has no idea of the danger in which she floats through her ​​unknown love. King Frost disappears to Siberia, and the Faschingspopanz appears, accompanied by the cheerful villagers. All hail the spring.

Act I

In Berendei

The shepherd Lel is singing a song for The Snow Maiden, but is too shy to talk to her. The Snow Maiden is sad about it, as her friend Kupawa passes. Kupawa 's engaged to Misgir that this comes too. Misgir makes now but Snow Maiden beautiful eyes. The outraged bride asks the bees, they get revenge on her faithless fiancé. The people advises Kupawa but to ask the Tsar for help.

Second Act

Interior of the Tsar Palace

Music of Gusli players heard in honor of the Czar of Berendei. The Tsar is concerned because the sun god Jarilo is angry with his people. To appease him, the Tsar decided to declare the day after the "Day of Jarilo " where the young people in the village to marry traditional.

Kupawa occurs before the Tsar, and reports of their misfortune. The Czar leaves the faithless fiancé Misgir summon who defends his actions with the beauty of snow Flöckchens. To increase the plausibility of this argument, he has brought Schneeflöckchen equal to the view. Also Schneeflöckchen manifests itself, in their innocence becomes clear that she knows neither love nor the resulting risk. The Tsar now understands the hassles Jarilos and decides that every young man should try in the village to win Schneeflöckchen for themselves. The winner they may marry. As long as remains free Misgir, also Kupawa and Snow Maiden are reconciled.

Act Three

In Heiligenwald

In a clearing in the sacred forest of Berendei the villagers celebrate the arrival of summer. In a singing contest the shepherd Lel wins. As a prize, the Czar determined the prerogative to choose a bride of his choice. Lel selects Kupawa, opposite the beautiful Snow Maiden he is suspicious. Kupawa leaves the sad Schneeflöckchen generously her new groom Lel. Now Misgir woos Snow Maiden, but does not understand his request. As Schneeflöckchen also Kupawa and Lel observed together, she is completely confused.

Act Four

In the Valley of Jarilo

Snow Maiden runs to her mother, and asks what is going on with love on themselves. The spring fairy garlanded her daughter and sends them to Misgir. Now feels Schneeflöckchen love. The Tsar blesses the new couple, but the rising sun at risk that filled with love The Snow Maiden. You can thank her mother just for the love, as it is to make it happen. Schneeflöckchen passes. The horrified Misgir falls desperately in the lake. Lel sings an anthem to the sun, which villager vote.

Bass (voice type) Musik in Geschichte und Gegenwart Operabase Integrated Authority File
716117
de