Relayed from Sadler's Wells Theatre
Rimsky-Korsakov's Snow Maiden abounds with lovely Russian folk melodies, and the tale itself is drawn from folk legend. The Snow Maiden is the daughter of Frost and Spring, who dies in the first ray of sunlight that strikes her after her heart of ice has been warmed by mortal love.
This synopsis of'the excerpt broadcast tonight was written for the production by Clive Carey :
Prologue. - The cocks are crowing, and the Faun, who keeps guard for Winter, recognises the signal for the arrival of Spring and the birds from the south. Winter lingers to greet Spring before his departure. Their daughter Snegourotchka, the Snow Maiden, is now old enough to look after herself, and her parents decide that she shall live for a time among the humans in the care of an old, childless couple, Bobyl and Bobylicha, but before they depart they warn her to beware of the Sun-God Yarilo. Her presence on the earth has angered the God, and for that he has withdrawn his warmth from the country of the Berendeys and afflicted them with fifteen cheerless summers.
The peasants from the neighbouring township bring in the carnival, and during the festivities Bobyl discovers Snegourotchka. The old couple take her with them, and as she waves farewell to her forest home the trees bow down to her and woodland voices answer her call.
Act I. -€” In the village Snegourotchka wins the affection of all the young men, but her heart is cold, and she finds pleasure alone in the company of the shepherd Lehl, whose plaintive songs she loves. The merchant Misgir arrives to claim the hand of the rich peasant's daughter Koupava, to whom he is betrothed, but as soon as he sets eyes on Snegourotchka he transfers his affections to her. The peasants are furious at the insult to Koupava, and bid her seek justice from the Tsar.