Conductor, E. GODFREY BROWN
Gogol's fantastic tale supplies the book for The Fair at Sorotchinski, an opera which Mussorgsky left at his death in a fragmentary state. It was not performed till 1914, when it was given in an edition made possible for the stage by Mussorgsky's devoted friends.
The story pictures life in Ukrania, and the songs and dances of country life in that part of Russia are made much of in the music, as in this lively
Gopak. Grytyko, a farmer's son, is to marry Paraska at the fair with his father's consent, but his stepmother intrigues to prevent the marriage. Some gypsy hocus-pocus is used to scare the intriguers out of their wits, and all is well in the end.
(Belfast Programme)