In the middle of Mlada, a fantasy tale about ancient pagan Slavs, Cleopatra emerges in a scene that exudes sensuality. Rimsky-Korsakov said "Among my musical impressions of Paris [at the World Exhibition, summer 1889] I reflect on music in Hungarian and Algerian cafes. The virtuoso playing of a Hungarian orchestra on tsevnitsas (Pan flutes) gave me the idea of introducing this ancient instrument... during the dances at Cleopatra's. In an Algerian cafe, I was attracted to the beat of a large drum... This effect I also borrowed for the scene of Cleopatra."
| Librettist | Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov (Based on Viktor Krïlov) |
| Date of composition | 1890 (1889-1890. Composed by Cui, Moussorgsky, Rimsky-Korsakov and Borodine, with parts from Minkus) |
| Premiered | 1892, November 1st (Mariinsky Theatre) in Saint Petersburg, Russia |
| Type | Opéra-Ballet |
| Approx. duration | 150 minutes |
| Spoken language | Russian |
| Instruments |
Voice (Bass)
- Mstivoy, prince of Rethra
Voice (Soprano) - Voyslava, Mstivoy's daughter Voice (Tenor) - Yaromir, prince of Arkona Silent Role - Shade of Princess Mlada Voice (Alto) - Lumir, Czech singer Voice (Mezzo-Soprano) - Morena, goddess of the underworld, appearing in the first act in the form of the old woman Svyatokhna Voice (Tenor) - The Moor from the Caliphate Voice (Tenor) - The Novgorodian Voice (Mezzo-Soprano) - Wife of the Novgorodian Voice (Baritone) - A Varangian Voice (Bass) - Tiun Voice (Baritone) - High Priest of Radegast Chorus/Choir - Chornobog Silent Role - Chumá (Plague), god of pestilence Silent Role - Cherv' (Worm), god of famine Silent Role - Topelets, god of floods Silent Role - Shade of Queen Cleopatra Orchestra Chorus/Choir - Kashchéy the Immortal Chorus/Choir - Maidens, armor-bearers and retinue of Mstivoy, merchants, supplicators, people of various Slavic lands, priests and priestesses of Radegast, trumpeters, wood-sprites, werewolves, kikimoras, witches, ghosts of the deceased, ghosts of dancers, of black male |
| Arrangements |
●
Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov: Mlada Suite
● Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov: Night on Mt. Triglav from Mlada |
| Autotranslations beta |
Nikolaï Rimski-Korsakov: Mlada Nikolaj Andreevič Rimskij-Korsakov: Mlada Nikolai Andrejewitsch Rimski-Korsakow: Mlada |