Alexander Borodin
Prince Igor
Borodin’s defining Russian epic, famous for its Polovtsian Dances, comes to the Met for the first
time in nearly 100 years. Dmitri Tcherniakov’s new production is a brilliant psychological
journey through the mind of its conflicted hero, with the founding of the Russian nation as the
backdrop. Star bass-baritone Ildar Abdrazakov takes on the monumental title role, with
Gianandrea Noseda conducting.
Prologue A square in Putivl, Russia. Prince Igor is preparing to lead an army against the
Polovtsians. The people ask for God’s blessing, but when the sky suddenly darkens in a solar
eclipse, they are worried by the bad omen and urge Igor to abandon his campaign. Igor’s wife
Yaroslavna also begs him not to go to war but he reassures her, leaving her and the command of
the city in the keeping of Prince Galitsky, Yaroslavna’s brother.
Act I The Russians have been defeated and Igor and his son, Vladimir, are being held prisoner in
the Polovtsian camp by their leader, Khan Konchak. The Khan’s daughter, Konchakovna, has
fallen in love with Vladimir and anxiously awaits their next meeting. Vladimir appears and both
declare their love. They are interrupted by the arrival of Igor, who is tormented by the Russian
defeat and longingly thinks of his wife. Ovlur, a Polovtsian who has been baptized and is a friend
of the Russians, approaches Igor and offers to help him escape. Igor at first rejects the idea as
dishonorable but then ponders it. Konchak enters and assures Igor that he has been treating him
as a guest, not a prisoner. He offers to grant him freedom if Igor will promise never to take up
arms against the Polovtsians again. Igor explains that he cannot agree to this. Impressed with
Igor’s pride, Konchak orders his slave girls to entertain his guest.
Intermission
Act II Yaroslavna, who has been suffering from bad dreams, is waiting for news of her husband
and stepson. Some of her maidens enter and complain about Galitsky, who has abducted one of
their number. When Galitsky unexpectedly appears, he tries to laugh off his sister’s accusations
but then agrees to give up the girl.
Galitsky’s men, among them the officers Skula and Yeroshka, sing the Prince’s praises. Galitsky
celebrates his hedonistic philosophy and mocks Yaroslavna’s disapproval of his life. A group of
maidens rushes in to protest against the abduction, but the men laugh at them and Galitsky sends
them away. The crowd resumes their praises of the Prince, demanding that he should lead them,
not Igor.
A party of boyars arrives at Yaroslavna’s apartment with news of Igor’s defeat and
imprisonment. Galitsky and his men use the confusion to hatch a revolt, urging the boyars to
elect a new Prince. Alarm bells sound, announcing that the Polovtsians are already attacking the
city. The people are resolved to defend their freedom.
Intermission
Act III Putivl has fallen. Yaroslavna, who has given up hope that Igor will return, laments the
loss of her husband, while peasants mourn for their devastated country.
Skula and Yeroshka mock the imprisoned Igor, unaware of his escape from the Polovtsian camp.
When they notice him approaching from afar, they decide to save their skins by announcing his
arrival to the people and declaring their loyalty. Yaroslavna and Igor are reunited. Wracked by
guilt, the Prince laments that he didn’t die in battle like his predecessors. The people greet Igor
on his return.
Live in HD
Radio broadcast
March 1, 2014
12:00 noon ET
Approximate running time: TBD
Live in HD director: Gary Halvorson
Conductor Gianandrea Noseda
Production Dmitri Tcherniakov
Set Designer Dmitri Tcherniakov
Costume Designer Elena Zaitseva
Lighting Designer Gleb Filshtinsky
Choreographer Itzik Galili
Yaroslavna Oksana Dyka
Konchakovna Anita Rachvelishvili
Vladimir Igorevich Sergey Semishkur
Prince Igor Svyatoslavich Ildar Abdrazakov
Prince Galitsky Mikhail Petrenko
Khan Konchak Štefan Kocán
Production a gift of The Annenberg Foundation, and The Gilbert S. Kahn & John J. Noffo Kahn
Foundation
A co-production of the Metropolitan Opera and De Nederlandse Opera, Amsterdam