M.P. Mussorgsky. Opera Khovanshchina. Summary

The opera Khovanshchina (the summary of which is set forth in this article) is a folk musical drama by Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky. It consists of five actions and six paintings. Of the opera very well known are the musical numbers: "Dawn on the Mosvka River" (introduction); "The forces are secret, great forces (II action, Martha's divination scene); "Mladeshenka was coming" (III century, Martha's song); "Sleeping archer's nest" (III century, aria Shaklovitogo); "Train Golitsyn" (intermission to the IV century); "Dancing Persian" (IV d.).

Libretto of the opera Khovanshchina. Summary

Something fatal tended over Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky.

None of his operas was completed by the composer himself. "Marriage", "Boris Godunov", "Sorochinskaya Yarmarka" were meted out and orchestrated by M. M. Ippolitov-Ivanov, N. A. Rimsky-Korsakov, C. A. Cui, D. D. Shostakovich and other composers. The opera Khovanshchina is no exception. It was completed and orchestrated by NA Rimsky-Korsakov.

The composer himself wrote the libretto. Based on the plot, he took the historical events of 1682. This was a short-lived reign of Prince Ivan Khovansky in Moscow, which was appointed by Sofia after the Streltsi rebellion. At that time, Peter was ten years old. The composer, wishing to show the transfer of power from the princess to the new ruler, adds and skillfully weaves the events of 1689. In music, he tries to convey the forces hostile to Peter. It:

• Streltsy, headed by Prince Ivan Khovansky.
• Favorite Sophia - Prince Golitsyn.
• The Old Believers, led by Dositheus.

Prince Khovansky wants to achieve royal power. Sagittarians are represented as a dark mass used in the interests of others. The Old Believers are shown as courageous and fearless people who, for the sake of faith, are ready to self-immolation.

A big role in the development of action is assigned to the people. Choirs are very diverse. Individual images are quite clearly personified:

• Golitsyn - narcissistic and crafty.
• Ivan Khovansky is imperious and arrogant.
• Dositheus is majestic.
• Martha - passionate, strong, ready to feat.
• Andrei Khovansky - weak and restless.
• Fedor Shaklovity - patriotically tuned.
• Kuzka is a reckless and cheerful young Sagittarius.
• Podyachiy - mercenary and cowardly.

Characteristics of the first action

Opera Khovanshchina. Summary I d.

In Moscow on Red Square there is a stone pillar on which are located copper plates with inscriptions. On the right is the booth of Podyachy. The opera begins with the orchestral entry "Dawn on the Moskva River". The inhabitants of the Kremlin wake up to the sounds of this excellent symphonic picture, the life of the streltsy, Kuzka and other inhabitants is shown. Podyachy appears and sits down in his booth. Boyar Fedor Shaklovitiy comes to him with a suggestion to adjust the denunciation, while warning about the punishment, if he blabs.

The podyachy is hungry for pay and agrees without hesitation. They make a denunciation of Peter on the Khovansky, after which Shaklovny is removed from the scene. The people come and ask to read the inscriptions on the newly appeared column. Podyachesky in a rude form refuses. But when people lifted up and carried the box with him to the post, he agreed to read it. At this time you can hear the sound of pipes. This archers greet Prince Ivan Khovansky. From the depth of the scene appears the figure of Andrei Khovansky. He approaches Emma and wants to hug her, but the girl refuses him. She accuses him of killing his parents and expelling his lover. On the protection of Emma stands the schismatrix of Martha. Andrew rushes at her with a knife, but the brave girl gives him a rebuff. Appears Prince Ivan Khovansky. Because of the ladies, the father and son begin to behave like rivals. Andrew in anger wants to kill Emma and swings at her with a knife. His hand is intercepted by the incoming Dositheus. He sings his mournful monologue "The time has ripened."

The second action

Opera Khovanshchina. Summary II d.

Prince Golitsyn in his office reads a love letter from Sophia. He is overcome by a sense of anxiety for the future. The nobleman Varsonofyev comes to him and says that the pastor is asking him persistently. He asks to stand up for Emma and build a church in the German settlement. Golitsyn denies him two requests. Varsonofiev appears again and talks about the arrival of the sorceress. It came Martha disguised as a fortuneteller. The scene of divination begins. There is a well-known aria of the "Secret Forces". The girl predicts him disgrace. The superstitious prince is afraid that she will let slip and order her servant to drown her. Martha overhears their conversation and disappears. Unexpectedly, Ivan Khovansky enters Golitsyn. Between them there is a dispute. At the height of the quarrel, Dositheus appears and persuades the princes to make peace. The choirs of the people sound. Suddenly Martha runs in and asks Golitsyn to pardon her. Dositheus refers to her with words of consolation.

Petrov's voices are heard behind the stage.

Briefly the third action

Opera Khovanshchina. Executive Summary III. D.

A chorus of schismatics sounds. They sing a fanatical hymn. From the crowd stands the figure of Martha. She sings a lyrical song "Mladeshenka was coming out." Dositheus calms her down. On the other side of the stage is Fyodor Shaklovity. He sings "A nest of strelets is sleeping." Wake up drunk archers and continue to have fun. Wives run in and scold them. Behind the stage, you can hear the cry of Podyachy. He appears and says: "Trouble, trouble, Reuters are close." Scared archers called Ivan Khovansky and are eager to fight. But he declares: "Tsar Peter is terrible." And leaves.

Characteristic of the fourth action

The summary of the opera Khovanshchina. 1 picture IV d.

Prince Ivan Khovansky's mansions. Rich refectory room. Prince at the dinner table. Peasant women entertain him with songs and dances.

Before that Golitsyn warned Ivan about the imminent danger. But he did not believe him. Khovansky tells him to give him different dishes and orders the girls to dance. Shaklovity appears and informs that Sofia is calling him for secret advice. The prince does not want to go first. He is offended by the princess. But still orders him to bring his clothes. When Ivan Khovansky leaves, Shaklovitoy's mercenary kills him. He utters a terrible scream and falls down dead. Peasant women scatter. Shaklovny burst into laughter.

The summary of the opera Khovanshchina. 2 picture IV, d.

The scene of action is the square in front of St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow. The reuters are being taken to Golitsyn's exile. Appears Martha. Dosifei asks her to take Andrei back. She agrees. Andrei Khovansky at Martha asks about Emma, does not believe in what is happening. When he sees with his own eyes archers, then he realizes that he was wrong. He begs to save him. The Preobrazhensky regiment of Peter goes to the Kremlin.

Action five

Opera Mussorgsky "Khovanshchina". Summary of V d.

Dosifei slowly enters. He is very thoughtful. He is overcome by the feeling of sorrow for the doom of the schismatics. He does not want to surrender to his enemies and calls on everyone to burn for his faith at the stake. Marfa saved Andrei from Petrovsky at that time. But now their death is inevitable. She tells him to prepare for her. Martha is lighting a bonfire from her candle.

She is full of determination and not afraid to die for her faith. Peter the Guards appear on the clearing, they see a flame. In the fire burns Martha, Andrew, Dosifei and other schismatics. The outgoing people look at the fire and mourn for Russia.

Thus, Mussorgsky's opera Khovanshchina depicts the historical events of the past. Researchers compare this piece of music with a huge fresco. The composer managed to show the catastrophe of what is happening through grotesque, symbolism and irrationality. There are no main characters here. None of them is shown for a long time. Integrity, a common idea, is important here.