Prince Igor (Borodin)

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Borodin’s defining Russian epic, famous for its Polovtsian Dances, comes to the Met for the first time in nearly 100 years. Dmitri Tcherniakov’s new production is a brilliant psychological journey through the mind of its conflicted hero, with the founding of the Russian nation as the backdrop. Star bass-baritone Ildar Abdrazakov takes on the monumental title role, with Gianandrea Noseda conducting.

Series:
The Met: Live in HD
Date:
March 1, 2014 | Saturday
Time:
11:00 am  
Location:
Marion Ross Performing Arts Center
Status: 
Tickets on sale August 21
Price: 
$20 General Admission
$12 Students under age 30

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Cast: 
Oksana Dyka (Yaroslavna)
Anita Rachvelishvili (Konchakovna)
Sergey Semishkur (Vladimir)
Ildar Abdrazakov (Prince Igor)
Mikhail Petrenko (Prince Galitsky)
Štefan Kocán (Khan Konchak)
Conductor: Gianandrea Noseda
Production: Dmitri Tcherniakov

Eugene Onegin is a co-production of the Metropolitan Opera and English National Opera.

Photo: Micaela Rossato/Met Opera

Synopsis

Prologue 
A square in Putivl, Russia, late 12th century. Prince Igor is preparing to lead an army against the Polovtsians. The people ask for God’s blessing, but when the sky suddenly darkens in a solar eclipse, they are worried by the bad omen and urge Igor to abandon his campaign. Igor’s wife Yaroslavna also begs him not to go to war but he reassures her, leaving her and the command of the city in the keeping of Prince Galitsky, Yaroslavna’s brother.

Act I 
In the Polovtsian camp, girls sing and dance to entertain Konchakovna, daughter of Khan Konchak. The Russians have been defeated and Igor and his son, Vladimir, are being held prisoner. Konchakovna, who has fallen in love with Vladimir, anxiously awaits their next meeting. Vladimir appears and both declare their love. They are interrupted by the arrival of Igor, who is tormented by the Russian defeat and longingly thinks of his wife. Ovlur, a Polovtsian who has been baptized and is a friend of the Russians, approaches Igor and offers to help him escape. Igor at first rejects the idea as dishonorable but then ponders it. Konchak enters and assures Igor that he has been treating him as a guest, not a prisoner. He offers to grant him freedom if Igor will promise never to take up arms against the Polovtsians again. Igor explains that he cannot agree to this. Impressed with Igor’s pride, Konchak orders his slave girls to entertain his guest.
Act II 
Yaroslavna, who has been suffering from bad dreams, is waiting for news of her husband and son. Some of her maidens enter and complain about Galitsky, who has abducted one of their number. When Galitsky unexpectedly appears, he tries to laugh off his sister’s accusations but then agrees to give up the girl.

Galitsky’s men, among them the gudok players Skula and Yeroshka, sing the Prince’s praises. Galitsky celebrates his hedonistic philosophy and mocks Yaroslavna’s disapproval of his life. A group of maidens rushes in to protest against the abduction, but the men laugh at them and Galitsky sends them away. The crowd resumes their praises of the Prince, demanding that he should lead them, not Igor.

A party of boyars arrives at Yaroslavna’s apartment with news of Igor’s defeat and imprisonment. Galitsky and his men use the confusion to hatch a revolt, urging the boyars to elect a new Prince. Alarm bells sound, announcing that the Polovtsians under Khan Gzak are already attacking the city. The people are resolved to defend their freedom.

Act III 
Putivl has fallen. Yaroslavna, who has given up hope that Igor will return, laments the loss of her husband, while peasants mourn for their devastated country.

The victorious Khan Gzak and his army return to the Polovtsian camp. Konchakovna has learnt that Igor and Vladimir are planning to escape and pleads with her lover not to desert her. When Vladimir remains undecided, Konchakovna raises the alarm. Igor manages to get away with Ovlur but is forced to leave Vladimir behind.

In Putivl, Skula and Yeroshna mock the imprisoned Igor, unaware of his escape. When they notice him approaching from afar, they decide to save their skins by announcing his arrival to the people and declaring their loyalty. Yaroslavna and Igor are reunited. The Prince laments that he didn’t die in battle like his predecessors. The people greet Igor on his return.