Rimsky-Korsakov Opera Snow Maiden

Plot Synopsis and Character Description of a Russian Fairy Tale

Nov 28, 2008

Snow Maiden, a Russian opera by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov: opera plot synopsis, character description, and other Rimsky-Korsakov opera information.

Opera Snow Maiden, a spring fairy tale in four acts, was written by Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (March 18, 1844-June 21, 1908), based on the play by Alexander Nikolayevich Ostrovsky.

It was premiered at St. Petersburg, Maryinsky Theater on February 10, 1882. The setting is in legendary times Russia. It has orchestral interludes before Acts I, III and IV.

The spring fairy tale opera Snow Maiden is about the clash of forces of nature. It is represented by the interactions of mythological characters (like Frost and Spring), real people (Coupava and Miskir), and those in-between - half-mythical and half-real (Snow Maiden, Lell, Berendey). Rimsky-Korsakov identified each group of characters musically, along with the minor characters with their own associated melodies.

Characters / Roles in Snow Maiden

On a hill near Tsar Berendey's palace, the young Snow Maiden wants to live with the people. Fairy Spring tells the birds it is her fault that spring is so cold as she allowed herself to be ruled by the Frost King, who will not release their daughter, Snegurochka, the snow maiden. The snow maiden wishes to sing with her mortal friends, including the shepherd Lell. Fairy Spring tells her daughter to come to her in the vale of Yarilo if she ever needs help. The Frost King instructs the spirit of the woods to guard the snow maiden from all intruders. The people welcome the spring. Snegurochka is allowed by her parents to be adopted by by Bobil-Bakula and his wife, Bobilicka.

Act I. In the Village of Berendey, Other Side of the River

Lell sings to Snegurochka and the birds dance. Coupava announces her wedding to the merchant Miskir. Coupava's friends are reluctant to part with her, but Miskir wins them over with gold, spices and cakes. Before the wedding happens, Miskir falls in love with Snegourochka.

Act II. In Tsar Berendey's Palace

A chorus of singers praises the tsar. The tsar is aware that the weather is too cold to give good harvests. He proposes a celebration in honor of the god Yarilo. Coupava pleads her case and the tsar orders Miskir's arrest. Snegurochka is presented. When she declared she has no lover, the tsar promises to awaken love in her. He consults the boyards' wives on a suitable husband and Lell was named. Miskir wishes to try for the snow maiden's hand too.

Act III. Evening, in a Forest

Young People, tumblers' ballet. The people celebrate and the tsar rewards Lell's singing with a kiss from the maiden of his choice. Lell chooses Coupava. Once again, Miskir woos Snegurochka but unsuccessful. The spirit leads Miskir astray with a vision of the snow maiden. Snegurochka interrupts Lell and Coupava exchanging vows of love.

Act IV. In the Valley of Yarilo, Dawn is about to Break

Snegurochka goes to the valley of Yarilo to ask for her mother's help. Fairy Spring calls on the flowers to fill her daughter's heart with love. Snegurochka falls in love with Miskir, but her mother warns her that she will die if Yarilo, the god of summer, beholds her. Miskir insists that he must present her before the tsar to prove that he has won her love. (A chorus of brides and bridegrooms are blessed by the tsar.) Miskir presents her Snegurochka, but she melts in the hot summer sun; Miskir too, drowns in the lake. The tsar declares that such misfortunes are blessings in disguise: that since the snow maiden angered Yarilo, summer will come in its own time. So ends the fairy tale clash of the seasons.

Sources:

Martin, Nicholas Ivor. The Da Capo Opera Manual. New York: Da Capo Press, 1997

The copyright of the article Rimsky-Korsakov Opera Snow Maiden in Opera is owned by Tel Asiado. Permission to republish Rimsky-Korsakov Opera Snow Maiden in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.