RUSSLAN AND LUDMILLA: ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS OVERTURES IN ALL OF OPERA!

HISTORY

The action takes place in Kiev in the medieval era. The knight Russlan and the princess Ludmila are getting married, but Ludmila, the bride, is mysteriously abducted. Russlan must embark upon a quest to get her back. First performed in 1842, this opera is based on a poem called 'Russlan and Ludmila' by the famous Russian poet Pushkin. The opera moved to the famous Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow in 1846, and from there toured the world, reaching the US in 1942.

Act 1

The opera opens with the wedding of Russlan to Ludmila. Before the ceremony can be completed, a strange spell falls upon the guests and they are all unable to move. Two monsters appear and kidnap Ludmila. The spell is then removed, and the guests are devastated to find the bride missing.

Act 2

Seeking Ludmila, Russlan comes to a cave belonging to a wizard. The wizard's name is Finn and he is very kind. Finn informs Russlan that Ludmila is being held by the sorcerer Chernomor. Finn assures Russlan that Ludmila is safe, for the moment... Russlan and Chernomor begin to do battle, as Chernomor tries to use his magic to bewilder Russlan.

Act 3

Russlan reaches the castle of the wicked sorceress Naina. Beautiful maidens are standing there and are trying to entice travellers to enter the castle. Tempted by the maidens, and falling under their magic spell, Russlan begins to forget Ludmila. Just in time, Finn appears and the castle magically transforms into a forest.

Act 4

Inside Chernomor's enchanted gardens, Ludmila is pining away for Russlan. Chernomor displays his magical powers with songs and processions. After this, Chernomor puts Ludmila under a sleeping spell and leaves to do battle with Russlan. Russlan returns victorious, with Chernomor's beard hanging on his helmet. Russlan and Ludmila are reunited at last, but Ludmila remains asleep.

Act 5

Ruslan begins his journey home along with the sleeping Ludmila, making a camp along the way with two other lovers: Ratmir and Gorislava. But Ludmila disappears again: she has been kidnapped by a knight called Farlaf. Farlaf aims to carry Ludmila back to Kiev and to pretend that he himself rescued her from Chernomor. Finn gives Russlan a magical ring: only this will awaken Ludmila, and will prove that Russlan is her true rescuer.

Epilog

Back in the palace in Kiev, Farlaf is trying in vain to awaken Ludmila. Russlan appears and awakens her by presenting her with the magic ring. Russlan and Ludmila are back together again at last and the wedding can go ahead, finally! Everyone rejoices in the young couple. The characters sing about how happy they are to be in their motherland, and to be witnessing the love of Russlan and Ludmila.

MAIN ROLES

Svetozar, Prince of Kiev, bass
Ludmila, Princess of Kiev, and daughter of Svetozar, soprano
Russlan, a knight of Kiev, and engaged to Ludmila, bass
Farlaf, a foreign knight, and love-rival to Russlan bass
Finn, a benevolent magician, tenor
Naina, an evil sorceress, mezzo-soprano