Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov was the composer of no fewer than 15 operas. But how many of them are known in the West?
This week on “The Lost Chord,” we’ll have a chance to sample one of them, as we welcome spring with selections from “The Snow Maiden.”
Based on an allegorical fairy tale of humans, quasi-mythological creatures, and the eternal forces of nature, it’s the story of a star-crossed love that brings about the end of a 15-year winter. The orchestral suite – which climaxes with the “Dance of the Tumblers” – is fairly popular, but the opera itself is seldom done, at least outside of Russia.
The recording we’ll sample, on the Capriccio label, features the Bulgarian Radio Symphony conducted by Stoyan Angelov. It may not hold a candle to the best Rimsky opera recordings by conductors like Nikolai Golovanov, but it’s enough to give a taste of what American opera lovers are missing.
I hope you’ll join me for “The Thaw of the Wild,” on “The Lost Chord,” now in syndication on KWAX Classical Oregon!
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Clip and save the start times for all three of my recorded shows:
PICTURE PERFECT, the movie music show – Friday at 8:00 PM EDT/5:00 PM PDT
SWEETNESS AND LIGHT, the light music program – Saturday at 11:00 AM EDT/8:00 AM PDT
THE LOST CHORD, unusual and neglected rep – Saturday at 7:00 PM EDT/4:00 PM PDT
Stream them, wherever you are, at the link!
https://kwax.uoregon.edu
Welcome Spring with “The Snow Maiden” on “The Lost Chord”
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6 responses to “Welcome Spring with “The Snow Maiden” on “The Lost Chord””
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The Fedoseyev one has a great cast (with Irina Arkhipova doubling Spring and Lel) – and the old ‘50’s Yugoslav one is a very affectionate reading….
I was really impressed that this opera was featured on the primetime TV crime show Endeavour – a series of murders related to opera ends: someone was put in a freezer after being part melted with toxic chemicals…….
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Julian Grant Thanks for the tips on possible replacement recordings. I love Rimsky’s stuff, and have most of the operas, but I am in the market for an upgrade of “The Snow Maiden.” Humorous anecdote about the crime show! 😄
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I did listen to the Snow Maiden as a whole opera once. The Arias were stunning highlights. But the rest, without staging, was rather interminable. You would definitely need the libretto.
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Zlat Zlat I think I would want a libretto for any opera, or at least supertitles, even for the ones in English. One man’s meat is another man’s poison. Make mine Rimsky!
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Rimsky excerpts deserve the vocals as you presented. Much more interesting!
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SW Paul Mack Sometimes it’s enlightening to hear the music in context, especially when the orchestral suite becomes so well known.
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