A Life for the Tsar

A Life for the Tsar (????? ?? ???? in Russian, Zhizn? za tsarya in transliteration) is a Patriotic-Heroic Tragic opera in five acts by Mikhail Glinka to an original Russian libretto by Nestor Kukolnik, Yegor Fyodorovich Rozen, Vladimir Sollogub and Vasily Zhukovsky. It was first performed at the Bolshoi Theater, 9 December 1836 in Saint Petersburg.

Related Topics:
Russian - Transliteration - Opera - Mikhail Glinka - Libretto - Nestor Kukolnik - Yegor Fyodorovich Rozen - Vladimir Sollogub - Vasily Zhukovsky - Bolshoi Theater - 9 December - 1836 - Saint Petersburg

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Characters:

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• Ivan Susanin, a peasant from Domnino bass
• Antonida, his daughter soprano
• Bogdan Sobinin, her betrothed tenor
• Vanya, an orphan, adopted by Susanin contralto
• A Polish Commander baritone
• A Russian Commander bass
• Polish Messenger teno

Antonida is eager to marry Sobinin, but her father Susanin refuses permission until there is a true Tsar on the throne of Russia. Sobinin tells him that Mikhail Romanov has been chosen. In the second act a group of supporters of the Polish claimant plans to seize Mikhail. In the third act Vanya expresses his fears for the safety of Mikhail, but Susanin is confident and preparations continue for the wedding of his daughter. A detachment of Polish soldiers bursts in, demanding to be taken to the Tsar. Susanin pretends to agree, planning to lead them off the trail, while sending Vanya with a message to the monastery where Mikhail is hiding. Susanin is killed by his captors, once he tells them of the trick he has played on them, while Vanya has been able to warn the Tsar. The fifth act or epilogue presents the new Tsar's coronation, with Mikhail pledging to remember Susanin?s action.

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A Life for the Tsar occupies an important position in Russian theatre as the first opera to win a permanent place in repertoire. Ivan Susanin was a patriotic hero of the early 17th century and gave his life for the new Tsar Mikhail, first of the Romanov dynasty, elected to his position in 1613. Glinka and the writers with whom he was associated chose, in Susanin, a hero of Russian nationalism well suited to the mood of the time. The opera uses Russian melodies that become a full part of the musical texture of the work. Orchestral excerpts heard in the concert-hall consist largely of the Polish elements of the second act, Polonaise, Waltz and Mazurka, for the ball given by the Commander of the Polish forces.

Related Topics:
Russian theatre - Ivan Susanin - Romanov dynasty - 1613 - Glinka - Polonaise - Waltz - Mazurka

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Ivan Susanin is the hero of the opera, and the work is often performed under that name (its original title) in Russia, while in other countries it is generally known as A Life for the Tsar, a title suggested by Nicholas I after he viewed a rehearsal and expressed his enthusiasm for the piece.

Related Topics:
Ivan Susanin - Nicholas I

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This work is the first Russian opera, the first opera with Russian text and based on a Russian story, the election of the first Romanov tsar (Mikhail I) and the expulsion of the armies of Poland.

Related Topics:
Russian - Election - Romanov - Tsar - Mikhail I - Poland

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