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Opera Music Plot Synopsis
Rimsky Korsakov: Sadko
Sadko, a poor but spirited minstrel, wagers his head against
the wealth of the
Novgorod merchants that he will catch golden fish in the neighbouring
Lake
Ilmen. Aided by the Sea-King's daughter he wins, and embarks
upon a voyage on
one of the fleet of ships that have become his. Overtaken
by storm, it is
decided by the ship's company that one of their number must
be offered as a
sacrifice to the Sea-King. Lots are drawn, with the result
that Sadko finds
himself on a plank in mid-ocean.
Entering the Sea-King's domain, he plays upon his gusli with
such goodwill that
the monarch and his court are soon engaged in a frenzied dance.
A fierce gale
ensues. St. Nicholas, intervening on behalf of seafarers above,
dashes the gusli
to the ground, orders Sadko home, and transforms the Sea-King's
daughter, who
has offered herself to the already married minstrel, into
the river Volkhov, on
which Novgorod now stands.
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