RUSSIAN COMIC OPERA
As was promised, we return, once again, to
the 18th century – a time of spectacular and most gratifying upsurge in
Russia’s music culture; a period when musical masterpieces emerged by the
hundreds, and the world was awestruck by the appearance of dozens of Russian
geniuses; when there was a universal interest in Russian culture, and the
best of architects, artists and composers from all over the world flocked
to this country…
May is the month when a major part of the festive events linked with the
300th anniversary of St.Petersburg unfold: May of 1703 saw the laying of
the cornerstone of the city that was destined to become a legend in its
own right. Who can blame us for wanting to come out with a special gift,
timed to the occasion? We shall be featuring music compositions, discovered
in the archives of St.Petersburg Palaces just recently. These are: the
very first Russian comic opera “Anyuta” and the opera by super-popular
French author Gretry on a quintessentially Russian theme – “Peter the Great”. 
So, what we have are two discoveries from the St.Petersburg archives. Let
me just note that these were hardly ‘unexpected’ discoveries… The search
had been quite a conscious and thorough one. Indeed, there is a strong
temptation in itself to learn just what the very first Russian operatic
opus had been like! Baffling as it might seem, before the musicians of
the St.Petersburg “Vertep theatre” launched the undertaking, the question
had failed to stir any interest for some 300 years! While back in 1772,
the premiere of the opera “Anyuta” in St.Petersburg, at the court theatre
of Catherine II created quite a furore! The opera was staged with pomp
and great imagination all across Russia. There were hundreds of opera theatres
in Russia, since that musical genre was very much in vogue at the time.
The opera doesn’t have the customary Overture the customary Overture and
we being treated to a traditional Russian choral song – the chant instead.
And I can’t give you the name of the author because… there is none!
“At the time, operas were written by men-of-letters, who made creative
use of broadly popular melodies of the day, aligning them with gusto to
serve their concept,” says the leader of the “Vertep Theatre” Vasily Strelnikov.
When speaking of “Anyuta”, it’s customary to mention the name of one very
well known author – Ivan Popov. However, there existed a veritable cascade
of diverse libretto and text versions of the opera. And it is most likely
that writer Alexei Lvov was the man who authored the popular version of
the plot.
So, the literary ‘geniuses’ weren’t even called upon to tax their imagination
when writing these operas. The music that was heard was already popularly
loved and dearly familiar.
“The end of the 18th century was a period when there were all signs of
a tremendous interest in Russian national culture, rather like what we
are witnessing today,” says Vasily Strelnikov. “However, at the time people
were harboring the delusion that genuine folklore had a rather vulgar sound
to it, so they considered it their duty to improve on it somewhat. In other
words, what we have here are arrangements.
For our production we chose the following variant – created an amalgam
of melodies that were part of the original “Anyuta”, that were heard at
18th century court productions and – authentic music. Why? – You see, at
the time operas were shown in public theatres, too, as well as the folk
“Vertep” ones (Puppet theatres) – like ours.
It transpires the music, brought together thus, produces a wonderfully
harmonious sound.”
The main characters of the opera “Anyuta” are: Anyuta, the peasant’s foster
daughter; the peasant himself – the Father; Filatka, his hired worker,
whom they want to marry Anyuta to; Victor, the Nobleman, whom Anyuta is
really in love with. The plot is quite clear, I believe! Here is a scene
from the opera:
Enter the Peasant, Anyuta’s Father.
“I’ve no strength left neither for ploughing nor harvesting! Only darling
Anyuta is a sight for sore eyes, and she isn’t even our true daughter!
The maid brought her to us when she was just an infant. She never told
us where she’d got her. Leaving 100 roubles, she up and left, disappeared…
The money I wasted, yet the child I brought up. How must I live now? I
ought to get her wedded to farmhand Filat. And here he is now.
I have but a daughter. I cannot expect her to do all the work. She is so
young!”
“If we were living as one family, I would be your slave and hand!”
“I like the idea!”
“Then it’s a deal? If you love my daughter, my word is good!”
And here is Anyuta herself.
“Oh, Father, I didn’t notice you. ‘Tis all my pensiveness to blame.”
Mother said to call you.”
“Why?”
“I know not!”
“Well, I have some idea. I believe, to talk to you of marriage!”
Events take on a most unexpected turn for Anyuta. The hired laborer
Filatka is announced as her bridegroom. But Anyuta doesn’t seem overly
pleased…
“Why so despondent, Anyuta?”
“What do you care?”
“You know that I have loved you for a year now. Perhaps I shall soon become
your husband?”
“You?!! My husband?!! Oh, you ugly fool!”
Another man has long since stolen Anyuta’s heart: it is Victor – a nobleman.
An unlikely union, you comprehend! 
“Oh, Victor, if only I had not met you, I would not suffer so now, would
not weep in my bed at night. I am the daughter of a peasant. You are rich,
noble, clever…Wealthy and noble. What should I do? Father forbids me to
see you, and wants to marry me off to Filatka!”
“Although I am not the sole owner of everything here, yet in this village
I am deemed the Master. All should obey me, so you see – there is nothing
for us to fear! My sweet, my love has given me the means for us to end
our plight.”
“How so?”
“Thus. Your Father is not rich. He means to marry you off to boost his
fortune. So I could give him money enough to get a hundred hired hands!”
“Forgive me, dear! God grant our wishes! Oh, Victor, you lighten the dullest
of days, while without you I find life and all its joys a burden!”
As you can guess, the story has the proverbial ‘happy end’. Anyuta’s Father
readily agrees to Victor’s plan. While then, it transpires that Anyuta,
his foster-daughter, is not a peasant by origin, but is of noble birth.
Victor and Anyuta’s marriage is no longer a misalliance! Everyone rejoices
and has a great time at the wedding!
“Anyuta” was the first Russian comic opera, and it was discovered in St.Petersburg
archives and staged by musicians of the “Vertep Theatre”.
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