Despite the fact that Nikolai Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov was born in a family far from art, a talent for music showed up at his young age. However, in a small town where the family of the future great composer lived , there were no music teachers, moreover, his parents predicted his career as a sailor following the example of his father. A neighbor, and then a governess, helped the boy learn to play the piano.
Having entered the Marine Corps in St. Petersburg, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov began to frequent various concerts and the opera house, where he got acquainted with the work of Glinka, who became his main inspirer. Later, he found a wonderful piano teacher in the person of F. Canilla, who advised the young talent to compose music himself. After some time, Rimsky-Korsakov met M. Balakirev and entered the famous "Mighty Handful". At that time he was only 17 years old, however, the band members immediately discovered a huge talent and potential in him.
One of the most prominent Russian operas is considered to be The Snow Maiden, written by Nikolai Andreyevich in 1881. It was this work that marked the final formation of the musical style of the composer, and also expressed all its basic aesthetic ideas, which were developed in subsequent works. The play by Ostrovsky, on the basis of which Rimsky-Korsakov's The Snow Maiden was created, attracted the author with its simplicity, proximity to Russian traditions, and the beauty of ancient rites. The composer wrote the libretto himself, taking this play as the basis.
The opera consists of 4 actions, and its plot tells about the Snow Maiden languishing in the father’s tower and deciding to finally go out in people. Snegurochka’s father, Santa Claus, is afraid for her daughter - because if she falls in love, the fire of love will destroy her. Having refused paternal custody, Snegurochka is fond of the shepherd Lel and his songs, however he is bored with Snegurochka, her feelings are unrequited. Then Kupava appears on the scene, who sincerely sympathizes with the Snow Maiden, as well as her fiancée Mizgir, who falls in love with the daughter of Santa Claus at first sight and throws the bride. Following the advice of the people, Kupava complains to the king. However, all the fury of the sovereign disappears, he should see the beautiful Snow Maiden.
Yarilin is approaching the day, and the king decides to marry all the couples in love in the kingdom. Meanwhile, Kupava and Lel declare to each other in love, thereby causing the Snow Maiden to be jealous. However, the girl’s heart softens, seeing Misgir’s desperate attempts to win her love, and she finally responds to his feelings. Yarilin comes the day, and the king blesses the union of Mizgir and the Snow Maiden, however, when the first ray of sunshine falls on the girl, she melts. Mizgir, unable to cope with grief, drowns in the lake. However, even such a tragedy cannot overshadow Yarilin’s day - the people have fun ...
Although Rimsky-Korsakov retained the main plot of the play by Ostrovsky, his understanding of the image of the Snow Maiden was somewhat different, which the composer embodied in the music of the opera. Her heart is revealed only in the final arioso, but this is also the hour of the death of the main character. The music of the opera is distinguished by a fabulous mood, vivid illustrations of nature and memorable characters. Never before has the mood of Russian antiquity been conveyed so vividly and vividly, with the exception, perhaps, of Ruslana and Lyudmila by Glinka.
Rimsky-Korsakov’s opera Snow Maiden is one of the best musical works in world culture. The richness of melodies and the harmony of this work is simply amazing. The composer's inexhaustible creative energy and his mastery lifted the opera Snow Maiden to the top of Russian musical art.