Glinka Mikhail Ivanovich. Glinka's opera "Ivan Susanin" ("Life for the Tsar")

Opera in 4 acts with prologue and epilogue. Text by S. Gorodetsky.
The first performance took place on November 27, 1836 in St. Petersburg on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater.

Characters:
Ivan Susanin, bass
Antonida, his daughter, soprano
Vanya, adopted son of Susanin, mezzo-soprano
Bogdan Sobinin, militia soldier, Antonida's fiancé, tenor
Russian warrior, tenor
Polish messenger, bass
Sigismund, King of Poland, bass

Prologue. On the proscenium in front of a curtain decorated with a shield and sword is a choir of warriors and people. The choir sings about the Motherland, about the heroic struggle of the people against enemies, glorifies the heroes who died in battle for their homeland:

I'm not afraid of fear
I'm not afraid of death
I will lie down for Holy Rus'!

The people remember the victories of Alexander Nevsky and Dmitry Donskoy, the death of all enemies who dared to attack Russian soil:

Who went to war in Rus',
He did not take away his bones.

First action. Autumn. A large village lies above the river. Antonida, the daughter of the peasant Ivan Susanin, is sad by the river. She worries about her fiancé Sobinin, who led a detachment of soldiers to fight the Polish invaders. Susanin enters, followed by the peasants. They talk about the misfortunes of the people, about the groans heard in Rus' - “The fields are trampled, Mother Earth is crying.”

After the battle, having defeated one of the enemy gangs, Sobinin returns. He joyfully greets the bride and reports that all of Rus' is rising to fight the enemies. Minin shouted the cry, and militias were already gathering to him from everywhere. The new army will be led by Prince Pozharsky.

Sobinin and Antonida ask Susanin to allow them to get married without waiting for winter. But the old peasant is against this:

What fun in this timelessness!
Cornfields are trampled, villages are destroyed,
Rus' left in tears.

Let’s drive away the enemy, then there will be a wedding,” Susanin decides. Antonida consoles the distressed groom. A warrior-messenger appears - he brought good news: the Russians defeated a detachment of mercenary knights in battle. Sobinin and Antonida are rejoicing - the day of their merry wedding is approaching. Victory is just around the corner. To bring it closer, the people are ready to sacrifice everything. “We will give everything we have,” Susanin swears.

Second action. Throne room in the palace of the Polish king Sigismund. The elegant gentlemen and ladies are having fun and dancing. The king receives the military leaders and crowns them with laurels. Wine is flowing. The arrogant gentlemen are confident that they will soon put an end to “servile Moscow.” Greedy ladies dream of untold Russian riches. The fun is interrupted by the appearance of a messenger. He brought bad news for the nobles to the palace. The Russian people rose together to fight; the Polish detachment is besieged in the Kremlin; the mercenary German knights are defeated and fleeing. Minin and Pozharsky lead their troops to Moscow.

The palace is in turmoil. A detachment of knights is sent to the rescue of the besieged. The lords vow to capture Minin and defeat the militia.

The feast continues. Shouts of “Vivat” are heard in honor of King Sigismund.

Third action. Susanin's hut. It's getting dark. In the simple words of the song, Vanya tells about his fate, about his adoptive father Susanin, who caressed and raised an orphan.

Susanin returns home. He is happy - soon Minin and the militia will be in Moscow. The old peasant instructs Vanya to serve his native people steadfastly and fearlessly. Peasants come to the hut to congratulate the owner on his daughter’s upcoming wedding. Susanin invites everyone to a fun bachelorette party.

The long-awaited day has arrived. Susanin blesses the groom and the bride. Light and joy reign in a friendly Russian family. Trouble suddenly comes - an armed detachment of Poles bursts into the hut. The enemies demand that the owner immediately lead them along the shortest route to Moscow.

Walk in pitch darkness
What need drives you?
What's the matter so hastily
Is he calling you to Moscow, gentlemen? -

Susanin mockingly asks the uninvited guests. But the noble gentlemen have no time to talk to the slave. They threaten him with death if he disobeys.

I'm not afraid of fear
I'm not afraid of death
I will lie down for Holy Rus', -

Susanin proudly responds to their threats. He comes up with a plan to destroy the Poles - he must lead them into the forest and notify Minin that the enemy is close. He tells Vanya to gallop at full speed to the militia. The Poles, after consulting, offer the owner gold. He pretends that he cannot resist the temptation and agrees to become a guide.

Left alone, Antonida cries. Meanwhile, friends come to the bachelorette party with cheerful songs. They don't know about the trouble. Sobinin appears with the peasants. Having learned about what happened, Sobinin and the people console Antonida. They promise to help Susanin out and rush in pursuit of the enemies.

Fourth act. First picture. The forest near the monastery settlement where the militias stopped. Night. Vanya quickly runs in, having driven his horse along the road; he desperately knocks on the heavy gates of the monastery. The militia heard a knock. The squad rushes in pursuit of the enemy.

Second picture. Night. A dense, impenetrable forest covered with snow. Blizzard. Susanin leads the exhausted Poles. They were cold, tired, and suspected that they were lost. The nobles are trying to question Susanin, but his answers are mysterious, they frighten the lords even more. The detachment lights a fire and settles down to rest. Susanin is not sleeping. He thinks about the inevitable death that will come to him with the dawn. In his dying hour, he remembers his children and his home. Blessing Antonida, he entrusts her to Sobinin’s care and “sends him a petition” to always take care of his beloved daughter. He also thinks about Van, who will again be an orphan. The blizzard and storm are intensifying. The Poles wake up and demand an answer from Susanin - where is the shortest route to Moscow?

Susanin needs to gain time -

Direct way
I'm leading you, gentlemen.
The end is not far.

The east will dawn,
In the silence of the snow the steps will freeze,
And everyone will find their destiny, -

he answers mysteriously again.

But now the first rays of dawn appear. Susanin understands that the enemies are dead and they will no longer be able to get out of the forest. The dawn is breaking. The triumphant Susanin reveals the terrible truth to the Panama:

I took you there
Where the gray wolf never ran,
Where does the evil kite go?
Didn't bring any bones.
I took you there
Where is fear and death.

The Poles, in despair and anger, rush at Ivan Susanin and kill him.

Third picture. Moscow. Crowds of people slowly pass by the gates leading to Red Square. Russian people glorify their Motherland, Moscow, the brave people who defeated their enemies. People are still arriving. Among the crowd are Antonida, Vanya, Sobinin.

Epilogue. Red Square. The jubilant people praise the fighters, remember the feat of Ivan Susanin - people will forever preserve the memory of the great patriot of the Russian land. The bells are ringing solemnly.

Hail, great Russian people!
Glory forever, from generation to generation!
Enemies who encroached on their native land,
Fight mercilessly with a mighty hand!

Minin and Pozharsky appear on horseback in the depths of the square.

Opera in 4 acts, 5 scenes, with an epilogue.

The plot is based on the historical feat of the peasant Ivan Susanin, committed by him in 1612.

First action

Early autumn of 1612. The village of Domnino. One of the detachments of the people's militia, which rose up against the army of the Polish lords who attacked Rus', passes through the village.

The peasants greet their defenders with great love, bringing them mash, bread, and honey. Together with the militia, they remember the glorious battles of the Russian people with foreigners on Lake Peipus and on the Kulikovo Field: “Whoever dares to attack Rus' will find death!” The militia disperse to the peasant huts to rest.

Antonida, the daughter of the peasant Ivan Susanin, is sad. She remembers her fiance Bogdan Sobinin, who is fighting the Poles. “Will he be back soon, when is the wedding?” “Why guess about the wedding? - her father answers. “There is no end to my grief.”

A song comes from the river. After defeating the enemy squad, Sobinin returns. He brought good news: Kozma Minin raised Rus' against the enemy, Prince Pozharsky was called to lead the army. The bride and groom meet joyfully. Antonida conveys to Bogdan his father’s words about the wedding. “How is it possible that our wedding won’t happen?” — Sobinin asks excitedly. Antonida and Bogdan beg the old man, and the people join them. “The day will come when we will defeat our enemies and deliver Rus' from the villains! - Susanin answers. “Then we will bless the bride and groom and celebrate the wedding.”

Bogdan is confident that this happy day will come soon. Susanin and the people welcome the dawn of salvation rising over Russia.

Second act

Throne room in the palace of the Polish king Sigismund. The king celebrates his victory. In the midst of the feast, a messenger appears. He reports that the Russian people rebelled against the Poles, Minin and Pozharsky led the militia, and Sigismund’s troops besieged in Moscow were in danger of death.

The feasters are in confusion. Sigismund sends a detachment of his knights to cut off Minin’s path to Moscow, capture him, demolish villages, burn cities - to conquer Rus'.

Third act

Winter. Susanin's hut. Susanin's adopted son Vanya remembers how Susanin, an orphan, warmed him up and sheltered him in his family.

Susanin says that at night Minin came with an army and set up his camp in a remote forest, in a suburb. Vanya dreams of joining the ranks of the defenders of his homeland. Old man Susanin is ready to fight his enemies.

Peasants enter the hut. Susanin treats them and invites them to the betrothal of Antonida and Sobinin. It's getting dark. Sobinin leaves to fetch his friends. Vanya is saddened by the upcoming separation from his named sister. Antonida's father kindly admonishes him. Suddenly a detachment of armed Poles bursts into the hut. They demand to know where Minin is, where his camp is. Susanin says that he doesn’t know anything - he has a wedding today, he is expecting guests. The Poles order the old man to lead them to Moscow along the shortest road. “There is no road to Moscow for strangers!” - exclaims Susanin. The enemies draw their sabers. “I’m not afraid of fear,” Susanin says proudly, “I’m not afraid of death, I’ll die for my native Rus'!”

The Poles decide to bribe Susanin, who meanwhile secretly sends Vanya to the posad to warn Minin. Enemies offer Susanin gold. Then he feignedly agrees to lead them to Moscow - “and then I’ll take the money.” The enemy detachment takes Susanin away. Antonida is in despair.

Her friends, invited to the bachelorette party, arrive. They console a crying girl. Sobinin returns with his friends. Having learned what happened, he decides to go in pursuit of his enemies. The peasants set out on a campaign with a battle song: “We will punish all the enemies of the earth with our death, and the raw mother earth will not accept their bones.”

Act Four

First picture

Posad in a remote forest. Exhausted from fatigue, Vanya reached the gates of the settlement. Warriors and townspeople come out to answer his knock and call. Vanya demands to immediately inform Minin about the appearance of enemies. Minin gathers his squad, and it goes against the enemy. Minin takes Vanya as a guide. The warriors' song sounds menacing: “We will overtake the enemy! They won’t be alive, they won’t see Moscow!”

Second picture

Backwoods. Freezing. Susanin leads a detachment of enemies into a dense forest. The Poles were tired and chilled. Has the old man gone astray? - “My path is straight!” — Susanin answers firmly.

Halt. The Poles make a fire and go to bed. Only Susanin does not sleep, thinking a heavy thought. At dawn, the enemies will see that they have been deceived, that Susanin has led them into a deep thicket to certain death. Severe torture and death await him. Susanin remembers his family. Do not feast on him at Antonida’s wedding, do not show mercy and do not raise his grandchildren. His own daughter will not find a way to his bones. Will he see Rus' liberated from foreigners? Susanin will not live to see this happy day.

The winter night drags on languidly. The dark forest groans and hums. Susanin lost himself in a short sleep. The Poles wake up, wake up Susanin, demand an answer: where has he led them? “Where you will die from a fierce blizzard,” answers Susanin, “where you will die of starvation.”

With the name of his homeland on his lips, the national hero dies under the blows of enemy sabers.

Epilogue

Red Square at the Frolovsky (Spassky) Gate of the Kremlin. The people rejoice. A mighty choir sounds.

“Glory, glory to you, my Rus',
Glory to you, our Russian land!
May she be strong forever and ever
Our beloved country!”

Minin and Pozharsky leave the Kremlin. The victory song of the people merges with the festive ringing of bells.

Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka (1804-1857) - the founder of the Russian school of composers, whose works had a huge influence on the formation of Russian classical music and the creative path of his followers-composers, among whom are A. P. Borodin, A. S. Dargomyzhsky, N. A Rimsky-Korsakov, M. P. Mussorgsky, P. I. Tchaikovsky and many others. The outstanding music critic V. Stasov compared the significance of Glinka’s work for Russian music with the significance of A. S. Pushkin’s work in literature.

History of creation

Glinka's opera "Ivan Susanin" is one of the first Russian operas. The composer began writing a patriotic work on the advice of the poet V. Zhukovsky. The content is based on the feat that was accomplished by the Kostroma peasant Ivan Susanin. The image of Susanin meant the Russian people who heroically fought against Napoleonic troops. The formation of the image of the main character of the opera was greatly influenced by the poem by K. Ryleev - “Ivan Susanin”.

The creator of the libretto of the opera "Ivan Susanin" is G. F. Rosen. The premiere took place in St. Petersburg at the Bolshoi Theater on November 27, 1836. The production was enthusiastically received by the progressive intelligentsia, who saw in the creation of the opera “Ivan Susanin” the beginning of a new stage in the development of Russian music. The court aristocracy did not share their delight, although the emperor himself was present at the premiere.

At the request of Nicholas I, Glinka’s opera “Ivan Susanin” was renamed “A Life for the Tsar” so that it would have a monarchical overtone. After the collapse of the monarchy, it again began to be called “Ivan Susanin”. Rosen's libretto was revised by the poet S. M. Gorodetsky.

First action

The excited and dynamic music of the overture anticipates the dramatic plot of the summary of the opera "Ivan Susanin".

A choir of peasants and peasant women is singing along the street of the village of Domnina. Men glorify military exploits. Women rejoice at the arrival of spring. In Soviet-era productions, the action takes place in the fall, since the movement that Minin raised was started at that time.

After the peasants disperse, Antonida comes out and looks sadly towards the river. The girl is waiting for her fiancé Bogdan Sobinin, who left to fight with the Polish gentry, to return. The peasants come out again, and with them Susanin, who has returned from the city. He reports that the wedding that Antonida so dreams of will not happen, because there is no end to the people’s grief. Suddenly a boat approaches the shore, from which Sobinin gets out. He warmly greets Antonida and tells her father that Pozharsky’s troops defeated the Poles.

The peasants rejoice, but Susanin understands that this is not the end of the war. Sobinin and Antonida ask him to agree to their wedding. He is adamant. From the summary of the opera "Ivan Susanin" it becomes clear: the fate of the homeland for the main character is inextricably linked with the fate of the family. The main character declares that he will consent to the wedding when the king ascends the throne. Sobinin says that Mikhail Romanov should soon become king. Susanin agrees to the wedding. Everyone disperses, rejoicing.

In Poland, a luxurious ball is given at court. Those present are in high spirits in anticipation of an imminent victory over Moscow. But the messenger that comes does not announce the end of the war. Several daredevils propose to head to Moscow and capture the Tsar. The Poles are confident in the success of this event.

Act three

An orphan boy, Vanya, lives in Susanin’s hut. Together with Ivan Susanin, he thinks that the Poles might come here to capture the Tsar. But they will be able to resist the Poles and protect the sovereign from a similar fate.

The peasants who entered wish Ivan happiness. After they leave, there is a scene of Susanin blessing the newlyweds. Suddenly a horse's tramp is heard. These are Poles. They demand to be taken to the Tsar, since they think that the Tsar is hiding somewhere nearby, and promise Ivan Susanin gold. He agrees, quietly telling Vanya to notify the sovereign of the danger. Antonida, thinking that her father was really seduced by money, begs him not to do this. But her father blesses her and orders her to celebrate the wedding without him. After that he leaves. Antonida cries bitterly. From the summary of the opera “Ivan Susanin” it is already clear: the main character is no longer destined to return home.

Sobinin, who arrived, is perplexed where the enemies came from. After listening to the bride's story, he gathers a detachment of peasants to free Ivan Susanin.

Susanin wanders with the Poles in a deep forest. They are exhausted, so they curse their guide, but for now they still believe him. The enemies stop for the night. Susanin understands that his hour of death is near. Sorrowful thoughts torment him. In the summary of the opera "Ivan Susanin" this is the most tragic moment. Mentally saying goodbye to his family, the peasant goes to bed.

The strongest blizzard. The Poles, waking up, understand that the cunning peasant deliberately brought them here so that they would find their death here. Susanin tells them about his treacherous plan. The angry Poles decide to kill Susanin.

Epilogue

Mass scene. The people praise the king. Antonida, Sobinin and Vanya enter. They yearn for Ivan Susanin. The military detachment that notices them slows down and wonders why they are sad when everyone is happy? When the soldiers find out that this is the family of Susanin, who saved the tsar, they express their grief over his death. From the libretto of the opera "Ivan Susanin" you can find out that the soldiers took full revenge on their enemies for the death of the main character.

The triumphant people sing to the glory of the Tsar on Red Square in Moscow; bells can be heard everywhere. The Tsar's train heads to the Kremlin's Spassky Gate.

The heroes of the opera "Ivan Susanin" bear in their images the characteristic features of the Russian people: masculinity and the ability to sacrifice oneself for high goals (Susanin), courage and determination (Sobinin), loyalty and humility (Antonida), devotion and fearlessness (Vanya). The patriotic plot and wonderful music of Mikhail Glinka provided this opera with an all-Russian and world vocation.

Opera in four acts with an epilogue (seven scenes).

Characters.

Ivan Susanin, peasant of the village of Domnina………. bass

Antonida, his daughter………. soprano

Vanya, adopted son of Susanin………. contralto

Bogdan Sobinin, militia soldier, Antonida’s fiancé………. tenor

Russian warrior ………. bass

Polish messenger………. tenor

Sigismund, King of Poland………. bass

Peasants and peasant women, militias, Polish lords and panenki, knights.

The action takes place in 1612.

Act one.

The peasants of the village of Domnina, among whom Ivan Susanin, his daughter Antonida and adopted son Vanya, meet the people's militia. The people are determined to defend their homeland - “Whoever dares to attack Rus' will find death.” Everyone disperses, leaving only Antonida. She yearns for her fiancé Bogdan, who is gone to fight the Poles. The girl’s heart tells her that her boyfriend is alive and is hurrying to her. And indeed, in the distance you can hear the song of the rowers - this is Bogdan Sobinin with his squad. Sobinin brought good news: the Nizhny Novgorod peasant Minin is gathering a militia to liberate Moscow captured by the lords and finally defeat the Poles. However, Susanin is sad - the enemies are still in charge of their native land.. He responds favorably to Sobinin and Antonida’s requests for their wedding: “There’s no time for weddings these days. It's battle time!

Act two.

A magnificent ball at the Polish king Sigismund III. Intoxicated by temporary successes, the Poles proudly boast of the loot they plundered in Rus'. Panenki dream of famous Russian furs and precious stones. In the midst of the fun, a messenger from the hetman appears. He brought bad news: the Russian people rebelled against their enemies, the Polish detachment was besieged in Moscow, the hetman’s army was fleeing. The dancing stops, but the boastful knights, in the heat of enthusiasm, threaten to capture Moscow and capture Minin. The interrupted fun is resumed.

Act three.

Vania. Susanin's useful son makes a spear for himself, singing a song about how the named father took pity on him and sheltered him. Susanin, who entered, reports that Minin came with the militia and settled down in the forest. Vanya confides his cherished dreams to his father - to quickly become a warrior and go to defend his homeland. Meanwhile. Susanin's family is preparing for the wedding. Peasants come to wish Antonida well. Left alone. Antonida, Sobinin, Susanin and Vanya talk about their joy - the long-awaited day has finally come. Then Sobinin leaves. Suddenly the Poles burst into the hut, threatening Susanin with death, they demand to be taken to Minin’s camp. At first Susanin refuses: “I’m not afraid of fear, I’m not afraid of death, I will lie down for Holy Rus'”, he says proudly. But then he conceives a bold, daring plan - to lead his enemies into the wilderness and destroy them. Feignedly seduced by money, Susanin agrees to lead the Poles into Minin’s camp. He says quietly to Vanya. so that he would quickly run to the village to gather people and warn Minin about the invasion of enemies. The Poles take Susanin away, Antonida cries bitterly. Meanwhile, Antonida’s clueless girlfriends come with a wedding song, and then Sobinin and the peasants. Antonida tells them about what happened, the peasants, led by Sobinin, rush in pursuit of the enemies.

Act four. Picture one.

At night, Vanya runs to the fence of the monastery settlement to inform Minin about the arrival of the Poles. Exhausted, he knocks on the heavy gate, but everyone is asleep. Finally they heard Vanya, alarm was raised in the camp, the soldiers armed themselves and prepared for the campaign.

Picture two. Susanin leads his enemies further and further into the wilderness. There is impassable snow all around. windbreak. Exhausted by the cold and blizzard, the Poles settle down for the night. Susanin sees that his enemies are beginning to suspect something is wrong and inevitable reprisals await him. He boldly looks into the eyes of death: “They smell the truth! Death is close, but it is not terrible, I have fulfilled my duty.” Susanin mentally says goodbye to Antonida, Bogdan and Vanya. A blizzard rises, and in its howls Susanin either dreams of the bright image of Antonida, or imagines the Poles. Enemies wake up, they begin to find out where the Russian peasant has taken them. " I brought you there... where you will die from a fierce blizzard! Where are you going to starve to death?“- Susanin answers with dignity. In vicious bitterness, the Poles kill Susanin.