The Legend of Tsar Saltan

A Masterpiece of Russian Opera by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

Full Title:
The Legend of Tsar Saltan, of His Son, the Famous and Mighty Hero Prince Guidon, and of the Beautiful Swan Princess

Staged and directed by Harry Kupfer, German Version
Dresden State Opera conducted by GND Siegfried Kurz
Starring: Lidija Rushizkaja, Rolf Wollard, Barbara Hoene, Stephan Spiewok, Elenore Elstermann, Barbara Gubisch, Ilse Ludwig, Ingrid Schuh, Friederike Riedel.

          Written by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov to celebrate the centennial birth of preeminent Russian poet Aleksandr Pushkin, this DVD features the whimsical and romantic opera that has become a staple of classic Russian opera. This full-length live performance, by the Dresden State Opera, is one of Rimsky-Korsakov’s most symphonic operas, containing the dazzling world-famous Flight of the Bumble Bee amongst its many melodies.

         Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov was a Russian composer immortalized as a master of orchestration. Renowned for his dedication to the invention and preservation of a nationalistic style, Rimsky-Korsakov was part of the Soviet musical collective known as The Five, dedicated to the art of Russian music, rather then the European one. Having written monumental works such as Russian Easter Festival Overture, Capriccio Espagnol, and the symphonic suite Scheherazade, all of which are standards in the classical music repertoire, he is heralded as the principle creator of the classical Russian style.

THE PLOT
Distracted by battle and fooled by his Princess’s family, Tsar Saltan exiles his wife and son Guidon. Guidon embarks on a mythical journey that concludes with his altruistic nature paving a course that culminates in the reunion of his family.  This highly imaginative opera and innovative production serves as an archetypal example of classic Russian opera. (See the complete synopsis on the inside of this DVD cover)

98 minutes plus Bonus Features