Igor Stravinsky Opera The Nightingale

Plot Synopsis and Character Description of a Russian Lyric Tale

Dec 29, 2008

The Nightingale (Solovey), a lyric tale by Igor Stravinsky. Drama plot summary, character list, and other opera information.

The Nightingale (Solovey) is a Russian lyric tale, an opera in three acts composed by Igor Stravinsky (June 17, 1882 – April 6, 1971). It is based on a fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen. It was premiered in Paris, Opera, May 26, 1914.

Based on Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale story of the same title, The Nightingale tells the story of a Chinese emperor who has power and wealth, and anything under his command, but isolated from the outside world around him. Before it's too late, he learns that riches cannot buy happiness.

Cast of Characters

The chorus roles include other courtiers and specters. A notable aria is Nightingale's song by the Nightingale. During the first performance in 1914, which was produced by Sergei Diaghilev, the singers were in the pit and their roles were mimed and danced on staged. Three years later, Stravinsky, used the music in this opera to produce a separate concert work, Le chant du rossignol (The Song of the Nightingale), a symphonic poem.

Plot Synopsis

The setting is in China in legendary times. The fisherman acts as the commentator on the events of the tale. There is no dance movement.

Act I

A fisherman is enchanted by the song of the nightingale. Guided by the Cook, the Bonze, the chamberlain and a group of courtiers have come to invite the nightingale to court to sing for the emperor. The nightingale accepts.

Act II

The courtiers ask the cook about the nightingale. The Emperor of China arrives in a procession. At his command, the nightingale sings. The Japanese envoys present the emperor a mechanical nightingale gift, covered with jewels. The new mechanical toy becomes the star in the palace and the real nightingale is taken for granted.

No one noticed that he had flown away. Upon discovering that the nightingale has fled, the emperor pronounces its banishment and proclaims the mechanical bird first singer of the court.

Act III

Soon the mechanical bird breaks down and the emperor realizes that the nightingale is gone and he has made a terrible mistake. He falls ill. Death has usurped the crown and scepter. The nightingale returns. Death agrees to relinquish the crown and scepter if the nightingale will resume singing again. It does.

The emperor tries to appoint the nightingale first singer, but the nightingale feels sufficiently rewarded upon seeing the emperor shed tears at his song. The courtiers are surprised to find their emperor alive.

Source:

Martin, Nicholas Ivor. The Da Capo Opera Manual. New York: Da Capo Press, 1997 (Note on this opera material: Publisher is Boosey & Hawkes, Copyright 1923 by Edition Russe de Musique. Assigned 1947 to Boosey & Hawkes)

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