2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25
The name of Alexander Porfiryevich Borodin shines in the history of Russian music. His opera "Prince Igor" (a summary of which is discussed in the article) has received wide recognition. Until now, it is staged on the opera stage. Her performances are perceived by the public with great success. Arias, cavatinas, etc. are often performed as separate numbers in classical music concerts.
A. P. Borodin, "Prince Igor"
Alexander Porfiryevich Borodin is a great Russian composer of the 19th century, a chemist, doctor of medicine. His name occupies a worthy place in the history of musical culture. The well-known critic V. Stasov noted that different genres are equally subject to the composer: opera, symphony, romance. A brilliant musician, a talented scientist, and had a literary talent.
The opera "Prince Igor" by Borodin is a remarkable creation of the composer. He himself noted that his opera was closer in direction to Glinka's Ruslan and Lyudmila than to Dargomyzhsky's The Stone Guest. At the suggestion of V. Stasov, he chose "The Tale of Igor's Campaign" as a subject. In order to get betterto feel the spirit of antiquity, Alexander Porfirievich went towards Putivl (near Kursk). There he carefully studied old stories, chronicles, various studies about the Polovtsians, the music of their ancestors, epic songs and epics.
The libretto of the opera "Prince Igor" was written by the composer himself in parallel with composing the music. He tried to focus on folk-epic features, rather than on the political facts of the original source. As a result, he was able to bring the image of Igor closer to the epic heroes.
The idea of creating an opera, to the surprise of the composer himself, was supported by all members of the Mighty Handful. Including M. P. Mussorgsky (realist and ultra-innovator) and N. A. Rimsky-Korsakov (follower of musical traditions).
The opera "Prince Igor" by Borodin was created over the course of eighteen years. It was interrupted by the sudden death of Alexander Porfiryevich. The work was completed by Glazunov and Rimsky-Korsakov. On the basis of the composer's available materials, they wrote the score, processed a number of episodes and unfinished scenes. The premiere of the opera took place in St. Petersburg in 1890.
Overture. Prologue. Introduction
Opera "Prince Igor". Summary of the Prologue
Of the Russian princes, only Igor remained. From his native city of Putivl, he gathers an army to go on a campaign against the Polovtsy and protect the Russian land, his native home, from the enemy army. The people solemnly glorify Prince Igor, magnify his son Vladimir, escort them on their way with kind words, wishing them a speedy victory. Igor and his fighting squad goes on a campaign. Andsuddenly it suddenly got dark, darkness enveloped the earth, a solar eclipse began. The boyars and all the people believe that this is a bad sign and persuade Prince Igor to retreat from the campaign. His wife Yaroslavna also begs her husband to stay. But in vain. He gives care of his wife to Vladimir Galitsky, Yaroslavna's brother. Skula and Eroshka (two warriors) desert and go to the service of Galician.
Characteristic of the first action
Opera "Prince Igor". Summary of the 1st and 2nd pictures. I action
Prince Vladimir of Galicia is feasting along with his roaming retinue at the tables of abuse. Here are the traitors Skula and Eroshka, praising Galitsky in every possible way. Vladimir was seized by a thirst for power. He wants to send Yaroslavna to a monastery, get rid of Igor forever and take his place. Sings “If only I could wait for honor.”
Anxious girls appear in the yard. They beg Vladimir Galitsky to release their friend from the tower, where her warriors took her. But he kicks them out to the drunken laughter of the crowd. Skula and Eroshka plot a rebellion against Igor.
The second picture takes you to the upper room in Yaroslavna's tower. It is very hard and anxious in the soul of the princess. Day and night, she is troubled by bad forebodings and terrible dreams. She had not received news from Igor for a long time. It is surrounded by continuous discord and confusion. Even the sibling is hostile. Yaroslavna's arioso conveys her feelings.
Suddenly entering the girls with the words "We are the princess to you" distract her from her sad thoughts. They seek Yaroslavna's protection. But the princess is powerless. She calls to accountGalitsky, but he is impudent and threatens her with reprisals. At the end of the first act, the boyars arrive with bad news.
At this time, Vladimir Galitsky arranges a rebellion. The Cumans are approaching Putivl.
Characteristic of the second action
Opera "Prince Igor". Summary II d
Polovtsian girls with songs and dances try to distract and amuse the daughter of Khan Konchak. But she only thinks about the captive guy Vladimir. Konchakovna's Cavatina conveys all her feelings. With excitement, the girl is waiting for a meeting with the young man. Vladimir, passionately in love with her, appears. They dream of a wedding. But Prince Igor does not want to hear about it. Konchak agrees to give his daughter in marriage to a Russian prince. Igor can't sleep. He takes his defeat hard and cannot come to terms with the thoughts of the captured homeland. Sings "No sleep, no rest for the tormented soul." This, by the way, is the best and most famous aria from the opera Prince Igor. He rejects Ovlur's offer to escape.
The Polovtsian Khan receives Igor as his most honored guest and offers him freedom for a promise not to raise his sword. But he does not accept Konchak's offer. He firmly and resolutely declares his intentions to go to war with his freedom. Courage, honesty and pride surprise and delight the khan. He arranges songs and dances.
Contents of the opera "Prince Igor". III act
Polovtsy gather from all sides and wait for the arrival of Khan Gzak. He appears with his soldiers, Russian prisoners and booty. Konchak meets him. Prince Igor, Vladimir and the other captives are watching from the sidelines.
The Polovtsian march glorifies the khans. Proudly sings his song Konchak. Russian captives report that their city is captured, robbed, villages are burned, children and wives are in captivity. Vladimir and other captives persuade Prince Igor to escape with Ovlur and save Russia. Konchakovna begs Vladimir to stay. Khan leaves him alive and is ready to accept him as a son-in-law.
Characteristic of the fourth act
IV d. brings us back to Putivl. Yaroslavna thinks that she has lost Igor forever and mourns him in the morning. Her aria is "Ah! I'm crying." She turns to the sun, the wind and the Dnieper and asks to return her beloved. The sad song of the villagers echoes the crying of the princess.
And suddenly Igor appears with Ovlur. There is no limit to Yaroslavna's happiness. At this time, Skula and Eroshka ridicule the captured prince, not knowing about his return. A sudden meeting with Igor leads them to amazement. They ring the bell and announce the arrival of the prince in order to distract everyone's attention and avoid the deserved punishment.
People joyfully welcome Igor and other princes.
Thus, the opera "Prince Igor" is a wonderful work by Alexander Porfiryevich Borodin, which was completed by Glazunov and Rimsky-Korsakov. The idea of its creation was supported by all members of the Mighty Handful. The libretto of the opera "Prince Igor" was written by the composer himself. The piece consists of four acts. In the prologue, the first and fourth acts, the events take place in the Russian city of Putivl. The second and third take us to the possession of the Polovtsy, to Khan Konchak, his daughter and other characters of the hostile side. The premiere took place inPetersburg (on the stage of the Mariinsky Theatre) in 1890, the opera was warmly received by the public.
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