Prologue, Acts 1 and 2 of the opera by Rimsky-Korsakov from the Sadler's Wells Theatre
The action takes place in the prehistoric land of Tsar Berendey
Cast in order of appearance :
Youths and maidens, people, blind singers, boyars' wives and birds
The Sadler's Wells Orchestra
Leader, Joseph Shadwick
Conductor, Lawrance Collingwood
Chorus Master, Geoffrey Corbett
Producer, Clive Carey
2.30 Prologue : The Red Mountain near the Tsar's capital
Prologue: The music suggests the coming of spring. The wintry Wood Spirit (tenor) goes to sleep, and the arrival of the Spring Fairy (mezzo-soprano) is followed by songs and dances of the still half-frozen birds.
But King Frost (bass) has not yet left he has waited to discuss with Spring the future of their daughter, the Snow Maiden (soprano), outwardly as fair as Spring, inwardly as cold as Winter. They decide that she shall be adopted by a couple of old peasants, Bobil and Bobilikha (tenor and mezzo-soprano).
Peasants rush in, celebrating the carnival season" and Snow Maiden is duly found and adopted.