Discover Tchaikovsky's Opera
The Tsarina’s Slippers
Also known as Cherevichki
Tchaikovsky’s only comic opera: a Russian folk story full of cheeky and charming characters, including the Devil.
Introduction | Synopsis | Characters
Introduction
This little-known work is rarely staged outside Russia. Based on a popular story by Gogol, the plot concerns Vakula the blacksmith and his magical quest to steal the Tsarina’s slippers for his sweetheart, the village beauty Oxana. Vakula enlists the help of the devil, and, by magic, they gatecrash the Tsarina's ball in St Petersburg.
Even though the hero makes a pact with the devil, there is no Faustian retribution. This is a cheeky Russian devil who is more of an old rogue than an evil character. The opera is a comedy set on Christmas Eve night, full of humour, romance and fairy tale. Along the way, there is a great snow storm, a mission to steal the moon and ballet of water sprites.
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Synopsis
Setting: Dikanka, a Ukranian village, and St Petersburg at the close of the 18th century
ACT I
Scene 1: Solokha’s roof
As the witch Solokha, admires the beauty of the moon, the Devil comes and flirts with her. Back to topHe has come to the village to take revenge on her son Vakula who has painted an insulting image of him on the church wall.
Scene 2: Storm
The Devil invokes a huge snow storm to cause confusion in the village, making the moon disappear so that he can steal it. He and Solokha ride into the sky on their broomsticks.
The villagers, Chub and Panas, get lost in the blizzard below.
Scene 3: Chub’s house
Oxana, the village beauty, is at home admiring herself in the mirror. Vakula arrives and declares his love for her but she ignores him.
Chub, Oxana's father, and his friend Panas stumble in. In the dark of the blizzard, Vakula does not recognise them and kicks them out, believing them to be intruders.
Scene 4: Solokha’s house
Solokha and the Devil return from their broomstick ride and the Devil tries to seduce Solokha. There is a knock at the door. It is the Mayor who has also come to woo Solokha; the Devil hides in a sack so he won't be found.
There is another knock at the door, and the Mayor hides in a sack. It is the school teacher, he has also come to woo Solokha, and he also hides in a sack. Then Chub enters, also intent on wooing Solokha, he too conceals himself in a sack.
Finally Vakula comes in to see his mother, Solokha. He is miserable after being rejected by Oxana. He exits, carrying off all the sacks.
Scene 5: Village square
The villagers dance to celebrate Christmas Eve and one of the boys presents his girlfriend with a pair of slippers. Oxana is jealous and challenges Vakula to fetch her the Tsarina’s slippers. In return, she says, she will marry him.
Vakula sets off in despair, leaving all but one of the sacks behind. Solokha’s lovers (except the devil) are discovered hiding in the abandoned bags - to everyone’s surprise.
ACT II
Entre’acte and Scene 1: Enchanted lake
Vakula is so dejected that he contemplates throwing himself in the lake. Just as he is about to fling himself in the water, the Devil pops out of the last sack and offers him a deal: he will help Vakula get the Tsarina’s slippers in exchange for his soul.
Scene 2: St Petersburg
Vakula and the Devil fly to St Petersburg to find the Tsarina: Catherine the Great. They enter the palace where a great ball is underway. They marvel at the dancing, get the Tsarina’s slippers and leave.
Scene 3: Church
Back in the village, both Solokha and Oxana grieve for Vakula believing he has drowned himself in the lake. Vakula appears and they are overjoyed.
Vakula offers Oxana the slippers and she agrees to marry him, declaring that it is he she wants – not the slippers.
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Characters
Oxana: The village beauty. She challenges Vakula, the blacksmith, to bring her the Tsarina’s slippers. In return, she says she’ll marry him.
Soprano
Vakula: The blacksmith who paints an insulting image of the devil on the local church, angering the devil. He is challenged to fetch the Tsarina’s slippers by his beloved Oxana and resorts to using the devil for his purpose.
Tenor
Solokha: A witch, Vakula’s mother. She has a string of lovers in the village, including the Devil himself.
Mezzo-soprano
Chub: An elderly Cossack, Oksana’s father.
Bass
The Devil: He comes to the village to exact revenge upon Vakula who has painted an insulting picture of him on the church wall.
Bass
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