''The Maid of Pskov'' (russian: Псковитянка, Pskovityanka, links=no, Pskov female resident ), also known as ''Ivan the Terrible'', is an 1872

opera Opera is a form of theatre in which music is a fundamental component and dramatic roles are taken by singers. Such a "work" (the literal translation of the Italian word "opera") is typically a collaboration between a composer and a libr ...

originally in three acts (six scenes) by

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov Nikolai Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov . At the time, his name was spelled Николай Андреевичъ Римскій-Корсаковъ. la, Nicolaus Andreae filius Rimskij-Korsakov. The composer romanized his name as ''Nicolas Rimsk ...

. The libretto is by the composer, after the play by

Lev Mei Lev Aleksandrovich Mei (russian: Лев Алекса́ндрович Мей (name sometimes transliterated as Lev Mey); ) was a Russian dramatist and poet. Biography Mei was born on 13/25 February 1822, in Moscow. His father was a German officer wh ...

. The storyline is fictitious, but is set against the background of the campaign by

Ivan IV Vasilyevich Ivan IV Vasilyevich (russian: Ива́н Васи́льевич; 25 August 1530 – ), commonly known in English as Ivan the Terrible, was the grand prince of Moscow from 1533 to 1547 and the first Tsar of all Russia from 1547 to 1584. Ivan ...

to subject the cities of

Pskov Pskov ( rus, Псков, a=pskov-ru.ogg, p=pskof; see also names in other languages) is a city in northwestern Russia and the administrative center of Pskov Oblast, located about east of the Estonian border, on the Velikaya River. Population ...

and

Novgorod Veliky Novgorod ( rus, links=no, Великий Новгород, t=Great Newtown, p=vʲɪˈlʲikʲɪj ˈnovɡərət), also known as just Novgorod (), is the largest city and administrative centre of Novgorod Oblast, Russia. It is one of the ...

to his will. Pskovityanka was Rimsky-Korsakov's first opera, and he revised it twice; once in 1876-7, when he added a prologue, and again in 1891-2, without the prologue (which was subsequently rewritten and became in 1898 the one act opera '' Boyarïnya Vera Sheloga''). The third version was made famous by

Chaliapin Feodor Ivanovich Chaliapin ( rus, Фёдор Ива́нович Шаля́пин, Fyodor Ivanovich Shalyapin, ˈfʲɵdər ɪˈvanəvʲɪtɕ ʂɐˈlʲapʲɪn}; April 12, 1938) was a Russian opera singer. Possessing a deep and expressive bass vo ...

in the role of the Tsar. The opera was introduced to Paris in 1909, also with Chaliapin, by

Diaghilev Sergei Pavlovich Diaghilev ( ; rus, Серге́й Па́влович Дя́гилев, , sʲɪˈrɡʲej ˈpavləvʲɪdʑ ˈdʲæɡʲɪlʲɪf; 19 August 1929), usually referred to outside Russia as Serge Diaghilev, was a Russian art critic, pa ...

, under the title ''Ivan the Terrible''.

Composition history

The first product of the composer's interest in this work was a lullaby composed in 1866. Rimsky-Korsakov then set to work in full earnest on an operatic treatment in the winter of 1867-1868. There are 3 versions of the opera. The original version was composed in the years 1868–1872, and received its premiere in 1873.Newmarch, Rosa (cited in the article as "Mrs. Newmarch", "The Development of National Opera in Russia. Rimsky Korsakov" (1904-1905). ''Proceedings of the Musical Association'', 31st Session: pp. 111-129. The composer revised the opera in the years 1876–1877. Later he completed a final version in the years 1891–1892.

Performance history

The world premiere was given in St. Petersburg on 13 January ( O.S. 1 January), 1873 at the

Mariinsky Theatre The Mariinsky Theatre ( rus, Мариинский театр, Mariinskiy teatr, also transcribed as Maryinsky or Mariyinsky) is a historic theatre of opera and ballet in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Opened in 1860, it became the preeminent music th ...

, conducted by Eduard Nápravník. Other notable performances included those in 1895 in St. Petersburg's Panayevsky Theatre given by the Society of Musical Gatherings. The Russian Private Opera performances in

Moscow Moscow ( , US chiefly ; rus, links=no, Москва, r=Moskva, p=mɐskˈva, a=Москва.ogg) is the capital and largest city of Russia. The city stands on the Moskva River in Central Russia, with a population estimated at 13.0 million ...

in 1896, conducted by Bernardi, with scenery by

Korovin Korovin (russian: Коровин), or Korovina (feminine; Коровина), is a Russian last name, which is derived from the Russian word ''korova'' (корова, or cow). Notable persons with that surname include: *Hal Korovin (born 1925), Ame ...

and

Vasnetsov Vasnetsov (russian: Васнецов) may refer to: * Apollinary Vasnetsov (1856–1933), Russian painter * Viktor Vasnetsov Viktor Mikhaylovich Vasnetsov (russian: Ви́ктор Миха́йлович Васнецо́в; May 15 ( N.S.), 1848 � ...

, included

Feodor Chaliapin Feodor Ivanovich Chaliapin ( rus, Фёдор Ива́нович Шаля́пин, Fyodor Ivanovich Shalyapin, ˈfʲɵdər ɪˈvanəvʲɪtɕ ʂɐˈlʲapʲɪn}; April 12, 1938) was a Russian opera singer. Possessing a deep and expressive bass v ...

as Ivan the Terrible. In 1909 at the

Théâtre du Châtelet The Théâtre du Châtelet () is a theatre and opera house, located in the place du Châtelet in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, France. One of two theatres (the other being the Théâtre de la Ville) built on the site of a ''châtelet'', a ...

in Paris, in a

Sergei Diaghilev Sergei Pavlovich Diaghilev ( ; rus, Серге́й Па́влович Дя́гилев, , sʲɪˈrɡʲej ˈpavləvʲɪdʑ ˈdʲæɡʲɪlʲɪf; 19 August 1929), usually referred to outside Russia as Serge Diaghilev, was a Russian art critic, pa ...

production, the opera was conducted by Nikolai Tcherepnin and Chaliapin sang Ivan. The opera was retitled ''Ivan le terrible (Ivan the Terrible)'', on account of the dominance of his role, and because of European audience's familiarity with his name.Palmer, Christopher, "Prokofiev, Eisenstein and Ivan" (April 1991). ''The Musical Times'', 132 (1778): pp. 179-181.

Roles

Synopsis

:Time: 1570 :Place: Pskov; the Pechorsky Monastery; at the Medednya River

Act 1

''Scene 1'' Princess Olga, daughter of Prince Tokmakov, is in the garden, as are two nannies, who tell stories of the repressive behaviour of Tsar Ivan on Pskov's sister city, Novgorod. Mikhail Tucha, the leader of the uprising in Pskov, is beloved of Princess Olga, but she is betrothed to the boyar Nikita Matuta. After Tucha and Olga sing a love duet, Tokmakov and Matuta arrive. Tucha leaves quickly and Olga hides herself. Tokmakov tells Matuta that Olga is not his own daughter, but the child of his sister-in-law Vera Sheloga. He does not know who Olga's true father is. ''Scene 2'' At the square of the Pskov kremlin, a messenger from Novgorod bears news that Tsar Ivan is about to deal the same fate to Pskov that he has to Novgorod. The townspeople are initially roused to defiance, but Tokmakov tries to calm the crowd and preach submission, saying that they are innocent of any treason and thus need not fear the Tsar. Tucha and his associates plan to rebel.

Act 2

''Scene 1'' The people of Pskov are in fear of the wrath of the Tsar. Olga sings of how she does not truly know of her parents. A crowd gathers and sings welcome to the Tsar. ''Scene 2'' At Tokmakov's residence, Tsar Ivan patronizes Tokmakov and his ideas of the city behaving independently of the Tsar. The Tsar then asks to be attended by Princess Olga. She enters, and they both react oddly at each other's appearance. When Tokmakov and Ivan are later alone in conversation, the Tsar asks about Olga and learns about the identity of her mother. Ivan is shaken to learn that Vera Sheloga is Olga's mother, and his attitude toward the city changes.

Act 3

''Scene 1'' In the forest, Olga and Tucha meet for a tryst. However, Matuta and his men appear, repulse Tucha and abduct Olga. ''Scene 2'' At a camp near the riverside, Ivan continues to think about Olga. He hears that Matuta has abducted her. Angry at this news, Ivan summons Olga, and addresses her as "Olga Ivanova", a hint as to her true father. Olga asks for protection from Matuta. Tsar Ivan says that she will be taken to Moscow, and he will choose her groom. He says that when Tucha is captured, he will live, but imprisoned. Olga continues to plead for mercy, and says that she has always worshipped him since she was young. Tucha and his forces attack the Tsar's camp. As they are repelled, Olga is fatally shot. At the end, over her body, Ivan reveals that he is, in fact, Olga's father.

Recordings

Audio Recordings Source
www.operadis-opera-discography.org.uk
*1947, Semyon Sakharov (conductor), Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra and Chorus,

Alexander Pirogov Alexander Stepanovich Pirogov (russian: Алекса́ндр Степа́нович Пирого́в; 1899–1964), was a Russian bass opera singer. Pirogov was born in Ryazan, one of five sons of a musical father. Four of the five brothers beca ...

(Tsar Ivan), Elena Shumilova (Princess Olga), Georgi Nelepp (Mikhail Tucha), Maria Levina (Vlasyevna), Margarita Shervinskaya (Perfilyevna), Natalya Sokolova (Stepanida Matuta), Nikolai Schegolkov (Prince Yuri Tokmakov), Alexander Peregudov (Boyar Nikita Matuta), Mikhail Soloviev (Prince Afanasy Vyazemsky), Ivan Skobtsov (Yushko Velebin), Ivan Manshavin (Bomelius). Aquarius - AQVR 333-2. *1968, Samo Hubad (conductor), Coro e Orchestra del Teatro Communale Giuseppe Verdi di Trieste,

Boris Christoff Boris Christoff ( bg, Борис Кирилов Христов, Boris Kirilov Hristov, ; 18 May 1914 – 28 June 1993) was a Bulgarian opera singer, widely considered one of the greatest basses of the 20th century. Early life He was born ...

(Tsar Ivan),

Radmila Bakočević Radmila Bakočević ( sr-Cyrl, Радмила Бакочевић, ; born January 5, 1933), is a Serbian operatic soprano who had a major international opera career that began in 1955 and ended upon her retirement from the stage in 2004. During he ...

(Olga),

Lajos Kozma Lajos Kozma (1938–2007) was a Hungarian operatic tenor, particularly associated with lyric Italian roles, baroque operas and oratorios. Born on 2 September 1938 in Lepsény, Hungary, he studied at the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest, and made ...

(Mikhail Tucha), Genia Las (Vlasyevna), Bruna Ronchina (Perfilyevna), Daniela Mazzucato Meneghini (Stepanida Matuta), Lorenzo Gaetani (Yuri Tokmakov), Giuseppe Botta (Boyar Nikita Matuta), Enzo Viaro (Prince Afanasy Vyazemsky), Vito Susca (Yushko Velebin), Vito Susca (Bomelius). Gala - GL 100.739. (in Italian) *1969,

Thomas Schippers Thomas Schippers (9 March 1930 – 16 December 1977) was an American conductor. He was highly regarded for his work in opera. Biography Of Dutch ancestry and son of the owner of a large appliance store, Schippers was born in Portage, Michiga ...

(conductor), Rome Opera House Orchestra & Chorus,

(Tsar Ivan),

Nicoletta Panni Nicoletta Panni (August 27, 1933 – September 12, 2017) was an Italian lyric soprano. Born in Rome, Panni was the granddaughter of Giuseppe De Luca, and was trained as a singer at the Accademia di Santa Cecilia under Giannina Arangi Lombardi. He ...

(Princess Olga), Ruggero Bondino (Mikhail Tucha), Genia Las (Vlasyevna), Fernanda Cadoni (Perfilyevna), Lidia Nerozzi (Stepanida Matuta), Lorenzo Gaetani (Prince Yuri Tokmakov), Aldo Bertocci (Boyar Nikita Matuta), Renzo Gonzales (Prince Afanasy Vyazemsky), Franco Pugliese (Yushko Velebin), Alfredo Colella (Bomelius). Opera d'Oro - OPD-1254. (in Italian) *1994,

Valery Gergiev Valery Abisalovich Gergiev (russian: Вале́рий Абиса́лович Ге́ргиев, ; os, Гергиты Абисалы фырт Валери, Gergity Abisaly fyrt Valeri; born 2 May 1953) is a Russian conductor and opera company d ...

(conductor), Kirov Chorus and Orchestra, St. Petersburg, Vladimir Ognovienko (Tsar Ivan), Galina Gorchakova (Princess Olga), Vladimir Galusin (Mikhail Tucha), Ludmila Filatova (Vlasyevna), Evgenia Perlasova (Perfilyevna), Olga Korzhenskaya (Stepanida Matuta), Gennady Bezzubenkov (Prince Yuri Tokmakov), Nikolai Gassiev (Boyar Nikita Matuta), Evgeny Fedotov (Prince Afanasy Vyazemsky), Georgy Zastavni (Yushko Velebin), Yuri Laptev (Bomelius). Philips – 446 678-2.

References

Notes Sources * * (Introductory notes to Philips Kirov/Gergiev recording) * (From the notes to the Philips Kirov/Gergiev recording) * *

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Maid of Pskov Operas by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov Russian-language operas Operas 1873 operas Operas based on plays Operas set in Russia Cultural depictions of Ivan the Terrible Fictional princesses Fictional princes