Opera Rostov Musical Theatre. Prince Igor - A.Borodin (opera in 4 acts) Brilliant Classical Stanislavsky Ballet and Opera theatre (established 1887, founded by Stanislavsky)
Schedule for Rostov Musical Theatre. Prince Igor - A.Borodin (opera in 4 acts) 2022
Composer: Alexander Borodin
Orchestra: Stanislavsky theatre symphony orchestra
Synopsis Time: The year 1185
Place: The city of Putivl (prologue, Acts 1 & 4); a Polovtsian camp (Acts
2 & 3)
Konstantin Korovin's costume design for Igor in the production of
Prince Igor at the Mariinsky Theatre, 1909Note: As discussed above, Borodin's
final decision on the order of the first two acts is unclear. The traditional
grouping presented here is that of the Rimsky-Korsakov-Glazunov edition. In many
productions, Act 3 is omitted.
Prologue The cathedral square in Putivl
Prince Igor is about to set out on a campaign against the Polovtsy and their
Khans who have previously attacked the Russian lands. The people sing his praise
and that of his son, the other leaders and the army (Chorus: "Glory to the
beautiful Sun"). A solar eclipse takes place to general consternation. Two
soldiers Skula and Yeroshka desert feeling sure that Vladimir Yaroslavich,
Prince Galitsky, will offer them work more to their liking. Although Yaroslavna,
Igor's wife, takes the eclipse for a bad omen, Igor insists that honour demands
that he go to war. He leaves her to the care of her brother, Prince Galitsky,
who tells of his gratitude to Igor for sheltering him after he was banished from
his own home by his father and brothers. The people sing a great chorus of
praise (Chorus: "Glory to the multitude of stars") as the host sets out on their
campaign against the Polovtsy.
Act 1 Scene 1: Vladimir Galitsky's court in Putivl
Galitsky's followers sing his praise. Skula and Yeroshka are now working as
gudok-players. They entertain the followers and all sing of how Galitsky and his
men abducted a young woman and how she pleaded to be allowed to return to her
father without being dishonoured. The prince arrives and sings of how, if he
were Prince of Putivl, he would drink and feast all day while dispensing
judgment and have the prettiest maidens with him all night (Galitsky's Song).
The treasury would be spent on himself and his men while his sister would be
praying in a monastery. A group of young women beg the prince to restore their
abducted friend. He threatens them and drives them away, saying how she now
lives in luxury in his quarters and does not have to work. The prince returns to
his rooms having sent for wine for his followers. The gudok players and the
prince's followers mock the women. They wonder what might happen if Yaroslavna
hears of what happens, but then realise she would be helpless with all her men
gone to war. They sing of how they are all drunkards and are supported by
Galitsky. The men decide to go to the town square to declare Galitsky the Prince
of Putivl, leaving just the two drunk musicians behind.
Scene 2: A room in Yaroslavna's palace
Yaraslavna is alone worrying about why she has not heard from Igor and his
companions (Yaroslavna's Arioso). She sings of her tearful nights and nightmares
and reminisces about when she was happy with Igor by her side. The nurse brings
in the young women who tell Yaroslavna of their abducted friend. They are
reluctant at first to reveal the culprit but eventually name Galitsky and talk
of how he and his drunken followers cause trouble around Putivl. Galitsky enters
and the women run away. Yaroslavna questions him as to the truth of their story
and he mocks her saying she should treat him as a guest in her house. She
threatens him with what Igor will do on his return, but Galitsky replies that he
can seize the throne whenever he wants. Yaroslavna accuses him of repeating the
betrayal that he carried out against their father, but he replies that he was
only joking and asks if she has a lover now her husband is away. She threatens
him with sending him back to their father. He replies that he will return the
girl but will take another later and leaves. The council of boyars arrive to
inform Yaroslavna that the Polovtsy under Khan Gzak are about to attack Putivl.
Igor's army has been utterly destroyed and he has been wounded and captured with
his son and brother. After a moment of faintness, Yaroslavna orders messengers
sent to the city's allies, but the Boyars report that the roads are cut, some
towns are in revolt and their princes will be captured. The Boyars say that they
will organise the defence but Galitsky returns with his followers to demand that
a new Prince be chosen. His retinue say it should be him as he is Yaroslavna's
brother and Igor's brother-in-law. The boyars refuse. The argument is
interrupted by the sight of flames and the sound of crying women. Some of the
boyars flee; some join the battle, others guard the Princess. They call the
attack God's judgment.
Act 2 Evening in the Polovtsian Camp
Polovtsian maidens sing comparing love to a flower that droops in the heat of
the day and is revived by night. They dance together (Dance of the Polovtsian
Maidens). Konchakovna joins in the singing hoping that her own lover will join
here soon (Konchakovna's Cavatina). The Russian prisoners arrive from their
day's work and express their gratitide when fed. Their guards retire for the
night leaving just Ovlur, a Christian, in charge. by Konchakovna and the
maidens. Vladimir, son of Igor, sings of his hope that his love will soon join
him now that the day is fading (Vladimir's Cavatina). His love is Konchakovna.
She comes and the two sing of their love and their desire to marry (Love Duet).
While her father will consent to the marriage, they know that his will not. They
part when they hear Igor coming. He sings of his disgrace and torment at being
captured with his followers dead (Prince Igor's Aria). Only his wife, he feels,
will be loyal. He hopes for the chance to regain his honour. Ovlur urges Igor to
escape and the prince agrees to think about it. Khan Konchak asks him if all is
well (Konchak's Aria) and he replies that the falcon cannot live in captivity.
Konchak says that as Igor did not ask for mercy he is not a prisoner but an
honoured guest equal to a Khan. Igor reminds him that he too knows what it is to
be a captive. Konchak offers Igor freedom if he will promise not to wage war on
him again, but he refuses saying he cannot lie. Konchak regrets that they were
not born to be allies. They would then have captured all of Russia. He summons
the Polovtsian slaves to entertain Igor and himself and offers Igor his choice
of them. As the slaves dance the Polovtsy sing of Konchak's glory (Polovtsian
Dances).
Act 3 The Polovtsian camp
The Polovtsian army returns in triumph singing the praise of Khan Gzak
(Polovtsian March). Konchak sings of the sack of Putivl and other victories and
confidently predicts that they will soon capture all of Russia. Igor and his son
Vladimir have their worst fears confirmed by the new captives. Vladimir and the
other prisoners urge Igor to escape, but he is at first reluctant, singing of
his shame and saying that it is the duty of the other Russian princes to save
the homeland (Igor's Monologue, Mariinsky edition only). Ovlur now arrives to
say that he has prepared horses for Igor and Vladimir and Igor now agrees to
escape. The distressed Konchakovna comes, challenging Vladimir to show his love
by either taking her with him or by staying. Igor urges his son to come, but
Vladimir feels unable to leave Konchakovna who threatens to wake the camp.
Eventually Igor flees alone and Konchakovna sounds the alarm. She and her father
refuse to let the Polovtsy kill Vladimir. Instead Konchak orders the death of
the guards and marries Vladimir to his daughter. As for Igor, Konchak thinks
more of him for his escape.
Act 4 Dawn in Putivl
Yaroslavna weeps at her separation from Igor and the defeat of his army,
blaming the very elements themselves for helping the enemy (Yaroslavna's
Lament). Peasant women blame not the wind but Khan Gzak for the devastation. As
Yaroslavna looks around to acknowledge the destruction, she sees two riders in
the distance who turn out to be Igor and Ovlur. The two lovers sing of their joy
of being reunited and of the expectation that Ivan will lead the Russians to
victory against the Khan. Unaware of Igor's return, Skula and Yeroshka, the
drunken gudok players, sing a song that mocks him. Then they notice him in the
distance. After a moment of panic about what will happen to them, Skula says
that they should rely on their cunning and decides on a plan that will save
them. They ring the church bells to summon a crowd. Although people at first
treat them with suspicion, the gudok players manage to convince the crowd that
Igor has returned and the boyars that they are loyal followers of the true
prince and not Galitsky. All joyously celebrate Igor's return.
Schedule for Rostov Musical Theatre. Prince Igor - A.Borodin (opera in 4 acts) 2022
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