The first product of the composer's interest in this work was a lullaby composed in 1866. Rimsky-Korsakov then set to work in full earnest on an operatic treatment in the winter of 1867-1868.^[1] There are 3 versions of the opera. The original version was composed in the years 1868–1872, and received its premiere in 1873.^[2] The composer revised the opera in the years 1876–1877. Later he completed a final version in the years 1891–1892.

The world premiere was given in St. Petersburg on 13 January (O.S. 1 January), 1873 at the Mariinsky Theatre, conducted by Eduard Nápravník.

Other notable performances included those in 1895 in St. Petersburg's Panayevsky Theatre given by the Society of Musical Gatherings. The Russian Private Opera performances in Moscow in 1896, conducted by Bernardi, with scenery by Korovin and Vasnetsov, included Feodor Chaliapin as Ivan the Terrible.

In 1909 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, in a Sergei Diaghilev production, the opera was conducted by Nikolai Tcherepnin and Chaliapin sang Ivan. The opera was retitled Ivan le terrible (Ivan the Terrible), on account of the dominance of his role, and because of European audience's familiarity with his name.^[3]

Time: 1570

Place: Pskov; the Pechorsky Monastery; at the Medednya River

Act 1 edit

Scene 1

Princess Olga, daughter of Prince Tokmakov, is in the garden, as are two nannies, who tell stories of the repressive behaviour of Tsar Ivan on Pskov's sister city, Novgorod. Mikhail Tucha, the leader of the uprising in Pskov, is beloved of Princess Olga, but she is betrothed to the boyar Nikita Matuta. After Tucha and Olga sing a love duet, Tokmakov and Matuta arrive. Tucha leaves quickly and Olga hides herself. Tokmakov tells Matuta that Olga is not his own daughter, but the child of his sister-in-law Vera Sheloga. He does not know who Olga's true father is.

Scene 2

At the square of the Pskov kremlin, a messenger from Novgorod bears news that Tsar Ivan is about to deal the same fate to Pskov that he has to Novgorod. The townspeople are initially roused to defiance, but Tokmakov tries to calm the crowd and preach submission, saying that they are innocent of any treason and thus need not fear the Tsar. Tucha and his associates plan to rebel.

Act 2 edit

Scene 1

The people of Pskov are in fear of the wrath of the Tsar. Olga sings of how she does not truly know of her parents. A crowd gathers and sings welcome to the Tsar.

Scene 2

At Tokmakov's residence, Tsar Ivan patronizes Tokmakov and his ideas of the city behaving independently of the Tsar. The Tsar then asks to be attended by Princess Olga. She enters, and they both react oddly at each other's appearance. When Tokmakov and Ivan are later alone in conversation, the Tsar asks about Olga and learns about the identity of her mother. Ivan is shaken to learn that Vera Sheloga is Olga's mother, and his attitude toward the city changes.

Act 3 edit

Scene 1

In the forest, Olga and Tucha meet for a tryst. However, Matuta and his men appear, repulse Tucha and abduct Olga.

Scene 2

At a camp near the riverside, Ivan continues to think about Olga. He hears that Matuta has abducted her. Angry at this news, Ivan summons Olga, and addresses her as "Olga Ivanova", a hint as to her true father. Olga asks for protection from Matuta. Tsar Ivan says that she will be taken to Moscow, and he will choose her groom. He says that when Tucha is captured, he will live, but imprisoned. Olga continues to plead for mercy, and says that she has always worshipped him since she was young. Tucha and his forces attack the Tsar's camp. As they are repelled, Olga is fatally shot. At the end, over her body, Ivan reveals that he is, in fact, Olga's father.

Audio Recordings

Source: www.operadis-opera-discography.org.uk

• 1947, Semyon Sakharov (conductor), Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra and Chorus, Alexander Pirogov (Tsar Ivan), Elena Shumilova (Princess Olga), Georgi Nelepp (Mikhail Tucha), Maria Levina (Vlasyevna), Margarita Shervinskaya (Perfilyevna), Natalya Sokolova (Stepanida Matuta), Nikolai Schegolkov (Prince Yuri Tokmakov), Alexander Peregudov (Boyar Nikita Matuta), Mikhail Soloviev (Prince Afanasy Vyazemsky), Ivan Skobtsov (Yushko Velebin), Ivan Manshavin (Bomelius). Aquarius - AQVR 333-2.
• 1968, Samo Hubad (conductor), Coro e Orchestra del Teatro Communale Giuseppe Verdi di Trieste, Boris Christoff (Tsar Ivan), Radmila Bakočević (Olga), Lajos Kozma (Mikhail Tucha), Genia Las (Vlasyevna), Bruna Ronchina (Perfilyevna), Daniela Mazzucato Meneghini (Stepanida Matuta), Lorenzo Gaetani (Yuri Tokmakov), Giuseppe Botta (Boyar Nikita Matuta), Enzo Viaro (Prince Afanasy Vyazemsky), Vito Susca (Yushko Velebin), Vito Susca (Bomelius). Gala - GL 100.739. (in Italian)
• 1969, Thomas Schippers (conductor), Rome Opera House Orchestra & Chorus, Boris Christoff (Tsar Ivan), Nicoletta Panni (Princess Olga), Ruggero Bondino (Mikhail Tucha), Genia Las (Vlasyevna), Fernanda Cadoni (Perfilyevna), Lidia Nerozzi (Stepanida Matuta), Lorenzo Gaetani (Prince Yuri Tokmakov), Aldo Bertocci (Boyar Nikita Matuta), Renzo Gonzales (Prince Afanasy Vyazemsky), Franco Pugliese (Yushko Velebin), Alfredo Colella (Bomelius). Opera d'Oro - OPD-1254. (in Italian)
• 1994, Valery Gergiev (conductor), Kirov Chorus and Orchestra, St. Petersburg, Vladimir Ognovienko (Tsar Ivan), Galina Gorchakova (Princess Olga), Vladimir Galusin (Mikhail Tucha), Ludmila Filatova (Vlasyevna), Evgenia Perlasova (Perfilyevna), Olga Korzhenskaya (Stepanida Matuta), Gennady Bezzubenkov (Prince Yuri Tokmakov), Nikolai Gassiev (Boyar Nikita Matuta), Evgeny Fedotov (Prince Afanasy Vyazemsky), Georgy Zastavni (Yushko Velebin), Yuri Laptev (Bomelius). Philips – 446 678-2.

Notes

Sources

• Abraham, Gerald (1936). "VIII.-- Rimsky-Korsakov's First Opera". Studies in Russian Music. London: William Reeves / The New Temple Press. pp. 142–166.
• Layton, Robert (1997). Rimsky-Korsakov's First Opera, "The Maid of Pskov". Philips Classics. (Introductory notes to Philips Kirov/Gergiev recording)
• Malkiel, Marina (1997). Synopsis. Philips Classics. (From the notes to the Philips Kirov/Gergiev recording)
• "Pskovityanka / The Maid of Pskov, Ivan the Terrible". Opera Glass. Stanford University. Retrieved 2007-06-07.
• Rimsky-Korsakov, Nicolai (1982). The Maid of Pskov: An Opera in Four Acts; Vocal Score: First Version. The Complete Works of Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov (in Russian). Melville, N.Y.: Belwin Mills Publishing Corp. K5252.