In November 1900, the music journalist Yevgeny Petro-vsky gave Rimsky-Korsakov his libretto, entitled Prince Ivan, which is loosely based on Russian folk tales about a mean and ugly wizard. Despite being initially interested in the text the composer eventually rejected it, put off by it's unfathomable symbolism. However, in the summer of the following year the score of Wagner's Siegfried pro-vided inspiration for fresh and innovative harmonic ideas, which he decided to include in a work dealing with motifs of black magic. With the help of his daughter Sofia, he wrote his own script based on Petrovsky's original, and as early as in spring of 1902 he had a one-act opera in three scenes ready - Kashchey the Immortal - which was successfully staged in Moscow before the year had ended. The work is presented in a brilliant new interpretation on this new release.

Tracklist:

Kashchey the Immortal~First Scene: Days without joy
Kashchey the Immortal~First Scene: I see a young woman who is marvelously beautiful
Kashchey the Immortal~First Scene: Her eyes are dark
Kashchey the Immortal~First Scene: You gousli
Kashchey the Immortal~Second Scene: Night is falling
Kashchey the Immortal~Second Scene: The night is black
Kashchey the Immortal~Second Scene: This refreshing drink
Kashchey the Immortal~Second Scene: He is sleeping... your hour is coming
Kashchey the Immortal~Third Scene: Sleep, go to sleep, Kashchey
Kashchey the Immortal~Third Scene: Am I dreaming
Kashchey the Immortal~Third Scene: Goodbye, my beloved prince
Kashchey the Immortal~Third Scene: This is the end of the cursed realm

UPC: 5902547014852
Label: Dux Recording Prod.
Release Date: 7.16.21
Format: CD

RIMSKY-KORSAKOV - Kashchey The Immortal (CD)