FULL THE MARRIAGE (Mussorgsky) Moscow 2024 Dzambolat Dulaev, Ruslan Babaev, Ulyana Biryukova, Kirill Filin, Maria Samoilova

Information on the Performance

• Work Title: The Marriage aka Zhenit'ba   
• Composer: Mussorgsky Modest  
• Libretto: Modest Mussorgsky based on Nikolai Gogol's comedy Marriage    Libretto Text, Libretto Index
• Venue & Opera Company: Chamber stage named after B.A. Pokrovsky, Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow, Russia  
• Recorded: November 29, 2024
• Type: Staged Opera Live
• Singers: Dzambolat Dulaev, Ruslan Babaev, Ulyana Biryukova, Kirill Filin, Maria Samoilova
• Conductor: Anton Grishanin  
• Orchestra: Orchestra of the Bolshoi Theatre  
• Chorus: Chorus of the Bolshoi Theatre  
• Stage Director: Edem Ibraimov  
• Stage Designer: Anastasia Bugaeva  
• Costume Designer: Olga Oshkalo  
• Lighting Designer: Semyon Solovey  

Information about the Recording

• Published by: Bolshoi Theatre  
• Format: Streaming
• Quality Video: 4 Audio:4
• Subtitles: rusubs  
• Video Recording from: vk     FULL VIDEO
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS PERFORMANCE

Zhenitba (Russian: Женитьба, Zhenit’ba, Marriage) is an unfinished opera begun in 1868 by Modest Mussorgsky to his own libretto based on Nikolai Gogol’s comedy Marriage. This 1842 play is a satire of courtship and cowardice, which centres on a young woman, Agafya, who is wooed by four bachelors, each with his own idiosyncrasies.

Synopsis
Scene 1
The idle bachelor Podkolyosin attempts to find a wife: “Well, when one considers carefully, one sees that marriage can be very useful.” He currently leads a chaotic life, with his poor servant, Stepan, constantly at his beck and call.

Scene 2
A marriage broker, Fyokla Ivanovna, arrives to give Podkolyosin details of a girl she has chosen for him. However, he is more interested in her dowry: “And what kind of dowry will I receive? Let’s start from the beginning and discuss the dowry …” He also worries that she is not sufficiently highly bred for him: “I don’t suppose she is the daughter of an Officer?… So, is this really the best bargain?” Fyokla suggests that he can’t afford be fussy with his poor looks and greying hair!

Scene 3
Unexpectedly Kochkaryov, Podkolyosin’s best friend, turns up and is angry to see the marriage broker. He complains that she has married him off to a troublesome, bossy woman. He sends her away, and decides to take over the match-making duties himself.

Scene 4
He paints an idealistic and hassle-free picture of married life for his friend: “There will be a bird in its cage and some embroidery. Just imagine yourself in your chair, quiet and serene and at your side a little caressing woman, all round and pretty. Her hand will stroke you … like this …” A reluctant Podkolyosin resists Kochkaryov’s demands that he at least visit the girl: “Leave it for now … come on, we’ll go tomorrow.” And Kochkaryov answers: “You’re an idiot and coward! You are even worse … you’re a sissy and an ass!” And Kochkaryov literally shoves Podkolesin out of the door of his apartment. Here the 1st act ends.

Quoted from Wikipedia