Snow Maiden (Ostrowski)

Data
Title:	Snowflake
Original title:	Снегурочка (Sneguročka)
Genus:	Fairy tale drama
Original language:	Russian
Author:	Alexander Ostrowski
Music:	Peter Tchaikovsky
Publishing year:	1873
Premiere:	May 11, 1873
Place of premiere:	Bolshoi Theater , Moscow
Place and time of the action:	In the land of the Berendejer in prehistoric times.
people
The Lenz Queen Father Frost Snowflake The Waldschratt Tsar Berendej Bermiata , boyar, chancellor The beautiful Jelena , his wife Misgir , a merchant in the city of the tsars Murasch , a rich citizen in the suburbs Kupawa , his daughter Lel the shepherd Bakula , the Kätner His wife Carnival , a straw doll Raduschka , Maluscha , girls in the suburbs Brusilo , Malysh , Kurilka , fellows in the suburbs A herald Servant of Misgir

Snow Maiden ( Russian Снегурочка ) is a fairy tale drama in four acts and a prelude by Alexander Ostrowski . Tchaikovsky wrote the music for the fairy tale drama, which premiered in 1873. It also inspired Rimsky-Korsakov to write his opera of the same name (1882). The story revolves around the figure of Snegurochka , the snow child who has to melt with the first ray of sunshine in spring.

content

Snowflake and Lel, the Shepherd Boy - illustration by Boris Sworykin (1925)

foreplay

The beginning of spring in the land of the Berendejer in prehistoric times. The Lenz Queen returns with the migratory birds to the still wintry, snow-covered area to bring warmth to the people. She recalls that 16 years ago she had a love affair with father Frost, from which a daughter emerged, Snow Maiden.

Father Frost happily celebrates the memory of the past winter, when he had fun with people. Now he has to move back to Siberia soon. The Lenz Queen asks about Snow Maiden, but she doesn't need any help, she is fine. Father Frost wants the Snow Maiden to live far away from the people in her castle, with animals as guardians and helpers. But the Lenz Queen would like to free her from this captivity, because the daughter longs for people and love. Father Frost argues against it that a ray of sunshine could kill them. As a compromise, the father suggests giving Snowflake to the Kätner as a foster daughter , where she would not attract the eyes of the boys.

Snowflake herself says she is drawn to the singing of people. She was particularly fond of one, the shepherd boy Lel. In the end, the father lets her go, but again warns her of the dangers of the sun and people.

A crowd of Berendej arrives, with the Shrovetide in tow (in the form of a straw doll), which they unload at the edge of the forest to symbolically welcome spring. The Kätner is dismayed that the boozy carnival is over, but his wife urges him to work. There they meet the Snow Maiden and offer to come with them to the suburbs. Snowflake says goodbye to the forest.

First elevator

In the suburb of Berendejewka, which is separated from the city by the river: The Kätner are not satisfied with their adopted daughter because they only sit around at home. They encourage her to bring a son-in-law home. The two adoptive parents hope for valuable gifts from Snow Maiden's admirers.

In the meantime, the poor shepherd boy Lel is supposed to spend the night in the cottage of the Kätner, as the other suburban residents are afraid that the beautiful Lel will charm their wives or daughters. Lel sings a song to Snowflake and has her give him a flower, but when other girls wave at him, he throws the flower away and runs away. This behavior hurts Snow Maiden very much.

Some guys and girls tease each other. Kupawa confesses to Snow Maiden that she has become engaged to a wealthy merchant from the city of the tsars, Misgir. The latter appears and frees Kupawa, but while everyone moves on in exhilaration, he lingers at the cottage where he sees snow flakes. He immediately falls in love with her and leaves Kupawa on the spot. This then curses him. Those present, however, advise her to complain to the Tsar of her suffering.

second elevator

In the palace of Tsar Berendej: In conversation with his Chancellor, the Tsar decides to appease the angry sun god Jarilo with a big celebration at the solstice.

That appears to Kupawa and complains to the Tsar of her suffering, the breach of loyalty by her fiancé Misgir. The Tsar decides to hold a trial about it immediately. Misgir immediately confesses his guilt and is expelled from the country by the tsar. However, Misgir has the snowflake summoned. The tsar is immediately charmed by her and decides to offer her to the sun god Jarilo as a sacrifice. In addition, the shepherd boy Lel is commissioned to familiarize Snow Maiden with love, because she has not yet felt this feeling.

third elevator

In the sacred forest: everyone is dancing and having fun. After Lel has delighted the tsar with his art of singing, he should choose a bride at his behest. Snow Maiden hopes that the choice will fall on her, she tries to win Lel over. When the latter briefly disappears, Misgir appears, the Snow Maiden again confesses his love and wants to flee with her. When she refuses to meet him, he gets violent. But the Waldschratt appears and holds him so that Snow Maiden can flee. When she meets up with Lel again, Lel moves to the side to meet with Kupawa in turn. The two confess their love to each other, again to the chagrin of Snow Maiden. At the end of the elevator she begs her mother, the Lenz Queen, to give her a heart and teach her love.

Fourth elevator

In the valley of the sun god Jarilo: The Lenz queen breathes feelings of love into her daughter. She would now fall irredeemably in love with the first youth she met. The mother warns her daughter again about Jarilo's rays and then disappears. Snowflake meets Misgir and falls in love with him. He can hardly believe his luck and would like to lead her as his bride to the tsar at sunrise. Although Snow Maiden warns him that it will mean her death, he insists that he is not taking it seriously.

When they step before the tsar and Snow Maiden confirms to him that she loves Misgir, a ray of sun hits them. In the highest intoxication of love it melts and passes. Misgir feels betrayed by the gods and plunges into the lake. The love death of the two seals the end of Jarilo's wrath. The drama ends with a hymn of praise from the people celebrating warmth, light and life.

Full text

• the fairy tale drama in the original Russian on Wikisource

expenditure

AN Ostrovsky: Snow Maiden. A spring fairy tale in 4 acts and a prelude. In: Masterpieces of the Russian Stage. Selected, translated and introduced by Arthur Luther . Leipzig: Bibliographisches Institut 1922. pp. 199–290.