Rimsky-Korsakov's Christmas Eve
Notes on the Russian Opera "Noch' Pered Rozhdestvom" in Four Acts
Christmas Eve (Noch' pered Rozhdestvom), a Russian opera by Rimsky-Korsakov: opera plot synopsis, character description, and other Rimsky-Korsakov opera information.
Christmas Eve ("Noch' pered Rozhdestvom), an opera in 4 acts, was written by Russian composer Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov (March 18, 1844-June 21, 1908), composed in 1894-1895. He also wrote the libretto himself, based on a short story of the same title, "Christmas Eve," by Nikolay Gogol's "Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka."
First Performances: December 10, 1895, Mariinsky Theatre, St Petersburg; USA – December 15, 1977, Indiana University Opera Theater, Bloomington; UK – December 24, 1987, BBC Radio 3; December 14, 1988, Coliseum, London (on stage).
Gogol's story has been used few times, including Piotr Tchaikovsky's version, Vakula the Smith. This opera version by Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov has often been compared to Piotr Tchaikovsky's Vakula the Smith, revised as Cherevichki, also based on the same story by Gogol. Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov's version uses more Ukrainian folk intonations whereas Piotr Tchaikovsky's has stronger characterization and lyricism.
Main Characters in Christmas Eve (Noch' pered Rozhdestvom)
- Solokha, a widow and a witch (contralto)
- Vakula, a blacksmith, son of Solokha (tenor)
- Chubb, an elderly Cossack (bass)
- Oxana, his lady love (soprano)
Plot Summary (Synopsis)
Setting is 18th century's village of Dikanka, Ukraine, a royal court
Time and place: Christmas Eve, in a village of Dikanka.
The story tells about Vakula, a young blacksmith and son of Solokha, a witch. Vakula loves the coquettish Oxana and wants to win her heart. Oxana's father is a Cossack who dotes on drinking. To prove his love, Oxana sets Vakula the seemingly impossible task of bringing her the empress's slippers from St Petersburg.
Returning home, Vakula finds four heavy sacks in the kitchen: the sociable Solokha has been receiving visitors – the devil, the mayor, the priest and Oxana's father – each of whom hides when the next one arrives. Ignorant of their contents, Vakula drags them to the smithy where, after his departure, the villagers open three of them with great relish.
The remaining sack Vakula takes with him and, once he realizes its content, forces the devil to fly with him to St Peterburg, to seek for the slippers. Vakula succeeds in obtaining the slippers. On his return, he finds his efforts have been unnecessary. In truth, Oxana does love him.
Other Operas by Rinsky-Korsakov
- May Night
- The Snow Maiden
- Mlada
- The Tsar's Bride
- The Legend of Tsar Saltan, including that famous "The Flight of the Bumble Bee"
- Tale of the Invisible City of Kitezh
- The Golden Cockerel
Sources
Concise Guide to Opera, Penguin (2005)
Opera, Edited by András Batta for English Edition (2000)
The Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 2nd Edition, edited by Stanley Sadie (2000)
