NA Rimsky-Korsakov - the genius of Russian classical music

Despite the fact that Nikolai Andreevich Rimsky-Korsakov was born in a family far from art, the talent for music was manifested in him at an early age. However, in a small town where the family of the future great composer lived , there were no music teachers, besides, his parents predicted his sailor's career following the example of his father. To study the piano, the boy was helped by a neighbor, and then by a governess.

Entering the Naval Corps in St. Petersburg, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov began to frequently attend various concerts and the opera house, where he became acquainted with the work of Glinka, who became his main inspiration. Later he found a wonderful piano teacher in the person of F. Canilla, who advised young talent to compose music himself. After a while, Rimsky-Korsakov gets acquainted with M. Balakirev and enters the famous "Mighty Handful". At that time he was only 17 years old, but the members of the group immediately discovered in him a huge talent and potential.

One of the most outstanding Russian operas is the "Snow Maiden", written by Nikolai Andreyevich in 1881. It was this work that marked the final formation of the composer's musical style, and also expressed all his main aesthetic ideas, which were developed in subsequent works. Ostrovsky's play, on the basis of which the "Snow Maiden" Rimsky-Korsakov was created, attracted the author by its simplicity, closeness to Russian traditions, and also by the beauty of ancient rituals. The composer himself wrote the libretto, taking as a basis this play.

The opera consists of 4 actions, and its plot tells of the Snow Maiden languishing in the father's house and deciding to finally get out into people. Father Snow Maiden, Santa Claus, is afraid for his daughter - because if she falls in love, the fire of love will destroy her. Having abandoned her father's custody, the Snow Maiden is fond of the shepherd Lehl and his songs, but he is bored with Snegurochka, her feelings are unrequited. Then Kupava appears on the stage, who sincerely sympathizes with the Snow Maiden, as well as her fiance Mizgir, who falls in love with the daughter of Santa Claus at first sight and throws the bride. Following the advice of the people, Kupava complains to the king. However, all the fury of the emperor disappears, he should see the beautiful Snow Maiden.

Yarilin is approaching the day, and the king decides to marry all the lovers in the kingdom. Meanwhile, Kupava and Lel explain each other in love, thereby causing the Snow Maiden's jealousy. However, the girl's heart softens, seeing Mizgir's desperate attempts to win her love, and she finally answers his feelings. Yarilin's day comes, and the king blesses the union of Mizgir and the Snow Maiden, but when the first sunbeam falls on the girl, she melts. Mizgir, not having coped with grief, is heated in the lake. However, even such a tragedy can not overshadow Yarilin's day - the people are having fun ...

Although Rimsky-Korsakov preserved the main plot of Ostrovsky's play, his understanding of Snegurochka's image was somewhat different, which the composer embodied in opera music. Her heart opens only in the final arioso, but this is the hour of the death of the main character. The music of the opera is characterized by a fairytale mood, bright illustrations of nature and memorable characters. Never before has the mood of Russian antiquity been transmitted so vividly and vividly, with the possible exception of "Ruslana and Lyudmila" by Glinka.

Opera Rimsky-Korsakov "Snow Maiden" is one of the best musical works in world culture. The richness of melodies and the harmony of this work are simply amazing. The inexhaustible creative energy of the composer and his skill have brought the opera "Snow Maiden" to the top of Russian musical art.