Sadko (opera)
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| Operas by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov |
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The Maid of Pskov (1872) |
Sadko (Russian: Садко, the name of the main character) is an opera in seven scenes by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. The libretto was written by the composer, with assistance from Vladimir Belsky, Vladimir Stasov, and others. Rimsky-Korsakov was first inspired by the bīlina of Sadko in 1867, when he completed a tone poem on the subject, his Op. 5. After finishing his second revision of this work in 1892, he decided to turn it into a dramatic work. The opera was completed in 1896.
The music is highly evocative, and Rimsky-Korsakov's famed powers of orchestration are abundantly in evidence throughout the score.
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[edit] Performance history
The world premiere took place on 7 January 1898 (O.S. 26 December 1897) presented by the Russian Private Opera at the Solodovnikov Theatre in Moscow. Its conductor was Michele Esposito and scenic designers Konstantin Korovin and Sergey Malyutin.
The St. Petersburg premiere followed 26 January 1901 at the Mariinsky Theatre conducted by Eduard Nápravník with scenic design by Apollinary Vasnetsov.
In 1906, the opera was presented at the Bolshoy Theatre in Moscow conducted by Vyacheslav Suk with scenic design by Konstantin Korovin.
[edit] Roles
| Role | Voice type | Premiere cast Moscow, 7 January 1898 |
Premiere cast St. Petersburg, 26 January 1901 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foma Nazarich, doyen, elder of Novgorod | tenor | ||
| Luka Zinovich, governor, elder of Novgorod | basso | ||
| Sadko, gusli-player and singer in Novgorod | tenor | Anton Sekar-Rozhansky | Davïdov |
| Lyubava Buslayevna, his young wife | mezzo-soprano | Rostovtseva | Fride |
| Nezhata, young gusli-player from Kiev | contralto | Strakhova | Mariya Dolina |
| Duda, skomorokh | bass | Aleksandr Brevi | |
| Sopel, skomorokh | tenor | ||
| The Varangian, overseas guest | bass | Aleksanov | Aleksandr Antonovsky |
| The Indian, overseas guest | tenor | Karklin | Mitrofan Chuprïnnikov |
| The Venetian, overseas guest | baritone | I. Petrov | Smirnov |
| Ocean-Sea, the Sea King | bass | Bedlevich | Serebryakov |
| Volkhova, the beautiful princess; his youngest, favorite daughter | soprano | Negrin-Shmidt (Schmidt) | Bolska |
| The Apparition, a mythic mighty warrior in the guise of a pilgrim | baritone | ||
| Chorus, silent roles: Merchants of Novgorod, wandering minstrels, sailors, maidens, inhabitants of the undersea kingdom, people | |||
[edit] Synopsis
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Time:
Place:
Note: Instead of traditional acts, Sadko is divided in seven scenes, and, as that type of structure would suggest, is more loosely constructed than a traditional opera. The opera is usually performed in three or five acts, depending on how the scenes are grouped:
- Three acts – 1-2, 3-4, 5-6-7
- Five acts – 1, 2-3, 4, 5-6, 7
Scene 1
Scene 2 - The shores of Lake Ilmen
Scene 3
Scene 4
Scene 5
Scene 6
Scene 7
The opera tells the story of Sadko, a gusli player (guslar), who leaves his wife, Lubava, and home in Novgorod and eventually returns a wealthy man. During his years of travel he amasses a fortune, weds the daughter of the King and Queen of the Ocean and has other adventures. Upon his return, the city and Lubava rejoice.
[edit] Principal Arias and Numbers
- Song of the Varangian Guest, Песня Варяжского гостя
- Song of the Indian Guest, Песня Индийского гостя
- Song of the Venetian Guest, Песня Веденецкого гостя
- Volkhova's Lullaby, Колыбельная Волховы
Note: The Song of the Varangian Guest is commonly rendered Song of the Viking Guest. The Song of the Indian Guest became famous under the name Song of India (arrangement by Tommy Dorsey).
[edit] Selected recordings
1952, Nikolai Golovanov (conductor), USSR Bolshoi Theatre Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra, Georgi Nalepp (Sadko), Vera Davydova (wife), Sergei Krasovsky (King of the Sea), Yelizaveta Shumskaya (Princess), Yelizaveta Antonova (gusli-player), Sergei Koltypin (Buffoon 1), Alexei Peregudov (Buffoon 2), Tikhon Chernyakov (Novgorod head), Stephan Nikolau (voyvode), Mark Reizen (Viking merchant), Ivan Kozlovsky (Indian merchant), Pavel Lisitsian (Venetian merchant), Ilya Bogdanov (Mighty Old Man). (Melodiya LP M10 01480, 4 records).
[edit] Related works
- Tone Poem Sadko
Rimsky-Korsakov's earlier tone poem Sadko, Op. 5 (1867), may be regarded as a precursor to the opera, as it is based on the same story. There are three versions:
- Episode from the Bïlina of Sadko (1867)
- Musical Picture–Sadko (1869)
- Musical Picture–Sadko (1892)
[edit] Sources
- Abraham, Gerald (1936). "XI.-- Sadko", Studies in Russian Music (in English). London: William Reeves / The New Temple Press, p.221-245.
