The action takes place during the reign of the Kyiv prince Svyatoslav, before the Christianization of Russia.
A Christian girl Nadezhda, the daughter of the fisherman Alexei, lives in one the huts. She is waiting to meet her lover, the princely youth Vseslav.
The Stranger comes to the fishermen. He conceived a conspiracy against Svyatoslav in hope of getting closer to power and now wants to use Vseslav as his tool. The Stranger and Vseslav agreed to meet at midnight at the grave of the ancient Prince Askold.
Townspeople gather to celebrate the Feast of the pagan god Uslad. Girls play games and dance round dances.
Slavic and Varangian squads feast in honor of Uslad, the god of joy. Boyar Vyshata calls the soldiers to go to Askold's grave. Christians will gather there at midnight, and Nadezhda will come with them. Vyshata orders Prosten to kidnap the girl for Prince's harem.
Christians gather at midnight, among them Nadezhda and her father Alexei.
The Stranger meets with Vseslav and reveals a secret to him: Vseslav is a descendant of Askold, who was treacherously killed by the ancestors of the current Prince. He must fight Svyatoslav for the throne. Vseslav does not give in to persuasion and refuses to go against the Prince.
Suddenly, at the feast of the Christians, the Prince's squad appears. Prosten kidnaps Nadezhda. Protecting his beloved, Vseslav kills the offender, but the combatants still take the girl away.
The girls are locked up, but they yearn for freedom. Nadezhda worries about the fate of her groom. Buslaevna asks the minstrel Torop to entertain the girl. The inventive Torop makes it clear to Nadezhda with his song that Vseslav is alive and will try to free her. Singing the song again, Torop diverts the attention of the harem servants. Meanwhile, Vseslav quietly appears and saves Nadezhda.
The escape is soon discovered. The enraged boyar Vyshata orders the warriors to bring Nadezhda back.
The witch brews a magic potion. Vyshata arrives. He asks her to help find the runaway lovers. Vakhrameevna uses her witchcraft to reveal a vision: Vseslav and Nadezhda are standing on the high bank of the river.
Vseslav and Nadezhda are waiting for the Stranger, who should help them cross the river. The Prince's squad want to take revenge on Vseslav for the murder of Prosten and are already approaching the Dnieper.
The Stranger informs Vseslav that the condition for their salvation is the overthrow of Prince Svyatoslav. The princely youth again responds with a decisive refusal.
The lovers hear the voices of the vigilantes. They realize that the Stranger will not help them, and throw themselves into the river.
Act I
The bank of the Dnieper near Kyiv. A Christian girl Nadezhda, the daughter of the fisherman Alexei, lives in one the huts. She is waiting to meet her lover, the princely youth Vseslav.
The Stranger comes to the fishermen. He conceived a conspiracy against Svyatoslav in hope of getting closer to power and now wants to use Vseslav as his tool. The Stranger and Vseslav agreed to meet at midnight at the grave of the ancient Prince Askold.
Townspeople gather to celebrate the Feast of the pagan god Uslad. Girls play games and dance round dances.
Intermission
Act II
Scene I
Prince's palace. Act II
Scene I
Slavic and Varangian squads feast in honor of Uslad, the god of joy. Boyar Vyshata calls the soldiers to go to Askold's grave. Christians will gather there at midnight, and Nadezhda will come with them. Vyshata orders Prosten to kidnap the girl for Prince's harem.
Scene II
The bank of the Dnieper near Askold's grave. Christians gather at midnight, among them Nadezhda and her father Alexei.
The Stranger meets with Vseslav and reveals a secret to him: Vseslav is a descendant of Askold, who was treacherously killed by the ancestors of the current Prince. He must fight Svyatoslav for the throne. Vseslav does not give in to persuasion and refuses to go against the Prince.
Suddenly, at the feast of the Christians, the Prince's squad appears. Prosten kidnaps Nadezhda. Protecting his beloved, Vseslav kills the offender, but the combatants still take the girl away.
Intermission
Act III
Scene I
Prince's harem. Act III
Scene I
The girls are locked up, but they yearn for freedom. Nadezhda worries about the fate of her groom. Buslaevna asks the minstrel Torop to entertain the girl. The inventive Torop makes it clear to Nadezhda with his song that Vseslav is alive and will try to free her. Singing the song again, Torop diverts the attention of the harem servants. Meanwhile, Vseslav quietly appears and saves Nadezhda.
The escape is soon discovered. The enraged boyar Vyshata orders the warriors to bring Nadezhda back.
Scene II
Vakhrameevna's residence. The witch brews a magic potion. Vyshata arrives. He asks her to help find the runaway lovers. Vakhrameevna uses her witchcraft to reveal a vision: Vseslav and Nadezhda are standing on the high bank of the river.
Scene III
The bank of the Dnieper near Askold's grave. Vseslav and Nadezhda are waiting for the Stranger, who should help them cross the river. The Prince's squad want to take revenge on Vseslav for the murder of Prosten and are already approaching the Dnieper.
The Stranger informs Vseslav that the condition for their salvation is the overthrow of Prince Svyatoslav. The princely youth again responds with a decisive refusal.
The lovers hear the voices of the vigilantes. They realize that the Stranger will not help them, and throw themselves into the river.
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Art. Lebedev Studio