Classical: CDLXIX. RIMSKY-KORSAKOV, Nikolai: The Tsar's Bride

CDLXIX. RIMSKY-KORSAKOV, Nikolai (1844-1908)

The Tsar's Bride (1898)
Stanislav Trofimov, Vasily Stepanovich Sobakin
Olga Seliverstova, Marfa
Elchin Azizov, Grigory Grigoryevich Gryzanoy
Vyacheslav Pochapsky, Grrigory Lukyanovich Malyuta-Skuratov
Ilya Selivanov, Ivan Sergeyevich Lykov
Agunda Kulaeva, Lyubasha
Roman Muravitsky, Yelisey Bomelius
Irina Rubtsova, Domna Ivanovna Saburova
Anna Bondarevskaya, Dunyasha
Bolshoi Theatre
Tughan Sokhiev, cond.
(3:17:08)

Ukranian-born Nadezhda Zabela-Vrubel
as Marfa; premiere 1899

Synopsis

Time: Autumn 1572
Place: Aleksandrovsky settlement, Moscow

Act I

The Oprichnik Gryaznoy loves Marfa, daugher of the merchant Sobakin, even though Gryaznoy already has a mistress, Lyubasha, whom he has neglected of late. Marfa is already beloved of the boyar Lykov. In a jealous rage against Lykov, Gryaznoy arranges to cast a spell on Marfa with a magic potion from Bomelius, the Tsar's physician. Lyubasha has overheard Gryaznoy's request.

Act II

Lyubasha in turn obtains from Bomelius another magic potion with which to cancel any feelings of Gryaznoy for Marfa. Bomelius consents, but at the price of an assignation with Lyubasha for himself.

Act III

In the meantime, the Tsar of the title, Ivan IV (known as "Ivan the Terrible"), is looking for a new bride from the best aristocratic maidens in Russia, through the newly adopted custom of bride-show. [see Cinderella!] The Tsar settles upon Marfa. At the celebration of the engagement of Marfa to Lykov, everyone is surprised when the news arrives of the Tsar's choice of Marfa as his bride. Gryaznoy had slipped what he thought was the love potion from Bomelius into Marfa's drink at the feast.

Act IV

At the Tsar's palace, Marfa has become violently ill. Lykov has been executed, at the instigation of Gryaznoy, on charges of attempting to kill Marfa. When Marfa learns that Lykov is dead, she goes insane. Eventually, Gryaznoy admits that he had slipped a potion into her drink, and after learning that it was poisonous, asks that he himself be executed. Lyubasha then confesses that she had substituted her potion from Bomelius for Gryaznoy's. In a rage, Gryaznoy murders Lyubasha, and is then taken to prison eventually to be executed. In her madness, Marfa mistakes Gryaznoy for Lykov, inviting him to return the next day to visit her, then dies.

Overture (0:06:59)