Das Märchen vom Zaren Saltan

Prelude:

Three fools begin the play. The stage: a boy, abandoned with his sleeping mother, drifting on the open sea, lost in dreams ...

Prologue: After observing Aunt Babarikha and the three sisters fishing, the Tsar decides to marry the impulsive Militrisa as she has promised to bear him a hero. All four return to his palace.

Act I

The Tsar is off at war when Militrisa bears a son. Babarikha intercepts the Courier and exchanges the message meant for the Tsar: Militrisa has given birth to a deformed child. The Tsar has now been in battle for three years. Little Gvidon and poor Militrisa have been warmly taken in. The Old Grandfather prophesies Gvidon a hard life. The Courier finally returns with the bad news: Tsaritsa and her monster are to be set out to sea in a barrel. A death sentence, yet no one is brave enough to protest.

Act II

Gvidon and Militrisa manage to escape. Gvidon, now a strong adult, saves a swan from deathly vultures. Grateful, the Swan-Bird bestows him treasures. A white city suddenly rises from the sea.  The folk hail Gvidon the Tsar of their city.

Act III: Gvidon longs to see his father and bring him to justice. The Swan transforms him into a bumblebee for his journey. Tsar Saltan is tired; Babarikha and the sisters have taken over. Seamen cast anchor and tell of the white city's wonders. Saltan wants to go immediately, against the will of Babarikha and her sisters. As a bumblebee, Gvidon angrily uses his stinger, a wild chase begins ... Babarikha's tale of a beautiful Tsarevna piques Gvidon's curiosity.

Act IV: Sadly Gvidon ponders his father and the Princess. The Swan suggests marrying her, remaining loyal forever: Gvidon promises. Saltan is warmly welcomed to the white city. He regrets having endangered his wife and son. After being shown two of the city's wonders, the third, Militrisa, appears. She forgives Saltan and the pair is reunited. Only Gvidon's wish remains before the fairytale can find its end ...

Translated by Megan Hayes