Sadko (Russian: Садко, the name of the main character) is an opera in seven scenes by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. The libretto was written by the composer, with assistance from Vladimir Belsky, Vladimir Stasov, and others. Rimsky-Korsakov was first inspired by the Bylina of Sadko in 1867, when he completed a tone poem on the subject, his Op. 5. After finishing his second revision of this work in 1891, he decided to turn it into a dramatic work.
| Librettist | Vladimir Belsky, Vladimir Stasov, and others (Based on Folk Tales) |
| Date of composition | 1896 |
| Premiered | 1898, January 7th (Solodovnikov Theatre) in Moscow, Russia |
| Type | Opera |
| Approx. duration | 170 minutes |
| Spoken language | Russian |
| Instruments |
Voice (Tenor)
- Foma Nazarich, doyen, elder of Novgorod
Voice (Bass) - Luka Zinovich, governor, elder of Novgorod Voice (Tenor) - Sadko, gusli-player and singer in Novgorod Voice (Mezzo-Soprano) - Lyubava Buslayevna, Sadko's young wife Voice (Contralto) - Nezhata, young gusli-player from Kiev Voice (Bass) - Duda, skomorokh (actor) Voice (Tenor) - Sopel, skomorokh (actor) Voice (Bass) - The Varangian, overseas guest Voice (Tenor) - The Indian, overseas guest Voice (Baritone) - The Venetian, overseas guest Voice (Bass) - Ocean-Sea, the Sea King Voice (Soprano) - Volkhova, the beautiful princess; Ocean-Sea's youngest, favorite daughter Voice (Baritone) - The Apparition, a mythic mighty warrior in the guise of a pilgrim Chorus/Choir - Merchants of Novgorod, wandering minstrels, sailors, maidens, inhabitants of the undersea kingdom, people Orchestra - Merchants of Novgorod, wandering minstrels, sailors, maidens, inhabitants of the undersea kingdom, people |
| Autotranslations beta |
Nikolaï Rimski-Korsakov: Sadko Nikolaj Andreevič Rimskij-Korsakov: Sadko Nikolai Andrejewitsch Rimski-Korsakow: Sadko |