Vakula the Smith (Russian: Кузнец Вакула, Kuznets Vakula, Smith Vakula), Op. 14, is an opera in 3 acts, 8 scenes, by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The libretto was written by Yakov Polonsky and is based on Nikolai Gogol's story Christmas Eve (Russian: Ночь перед ождеством, Noch péred Rozhdestvóm). It was written for composer Alexander Serov, who died in 1871 leaving only fragments of an opera on the subject.
| Librettist | Yakov Polonsky (Based on "Christmas Eve" by Nikolai Gogol) |
| Date of composition | 1874 (Composed between June and 21 August 1874) in Nizy, Chernihivs'ka oblast, Ukraine |
| Premiered | 1876, December 6th (Mariinsky Theatre) in Saint Petersburg, Russia |
| Dedicated to | Dedicated to the memory of Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna who had died in 1873 |
| Type | Opera |
| Catalogue | Op. 14 |
| Spoken language | Russian |
| Instruments |
Voice (Tenor)
- Vakula, a smith
Voice (Mezzo-Soprano) - Solokha, Vakula's mother, a witch Voice (Bass) - A devil from Hell, a fantastic character Voice (Bass) - Chub, an elderly Cossack Voice (Soprano) - Oksana, Chub's daughter Voice (Bass) - Pan Golova Voice (Tenor) - Panas, Chub's crony Voice (Tenor) - Schoolmaster 3x Voice - Schoolmaster's Highness Voice (Bass) - Master of Ceremonies Voice (Tenor) - Attendant Voice (Bass) - Old Cossack Voice (Bass) - Wood Goblin Chorus/Choir - Lads, lasses, elders, gusli-players, rusalki, wood-sprites, echo, spirits, court ladies and gentlemen, Zaporozhtsï Orchestra |
| Arrangements |
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Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Cherevichki
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| Autotranslations beta |
Piotr Ilitch Tchaïkovski: Vakula the Smith, Op. 14 Pëtr Il'ič Čajkovskij: Vakula the Smith, Op. 14 Pjotr Iljitsch Tschaikowski: Vakula the Smith, Op. 14 |