Prince Igor is an opera in a prologue and four acts by the Russian composer Alexander Borodin (see Borodin, Alexander ). It was left unfinished at Borodin’s death and was completed by two other Russian composers, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and Alexander Glazunov. Borodin himself wrote the libretto (text), which was based on a sketch of an idea by the Russian music critic Vladimir Stasov. Prince Igor received its first performance at St. Petersburg, Russia, on Nov. 4, 1890.
Loading the player...Prince Igor
The opera is set in the year 1185. The Russian Prince Igor and his son Vladimir) are captured while fighting the Polovtsians, an Asian people. The Polovtsians, led by Khan Konchak, entertain the prince with all the spectacle and pomp due to a royal guest. They lay on a lavish display of dancing. Khan Konchak offers to release Igor if he will promise not to fight against the Polovtsians again, but Igor will make no such undertaking. Igor succeeds in escaping and goes home to his wife Yaroslavna. But Vladimir stays with the Polovtsians, captivated by Khan Konchak’s beautiful daughter Konchakovna. With Khan Konchak’s permission, the two young lovers marry.
Borodin’s score for Prince Igor has some of the liveliest, most vivid Russian music ever written. The music for the Polovtsian Dances makes an exciting piece for orchestra with an optional chorus and is often heard separately in concerts.
Loading the player...Opera: Nationalism
