SNEGOUROTCHKA

(The Snow Maiden) Composer: NRKOLAI RRMSKY-KORSAKOV Book by ALEXANDER OSTROVSKY, from a Ru ian folk tale First performance: Moscow, January 29, 1882 Prologue and 4 acts. Mizcyr, a young Tartar, has fallen in love with the Snow Maiden, lovely daughter of King Winter and Spring. Mizgyr jilts his fiancée, Koupava, in favour of Snegourotchka whereupon the loser, Koupava, appeals to the Czar. He decrees that since the Snow Maiden seems pure, who shall ever be able to win her heart by morning shall have her. Snegourotchka immediately appeals to her mother for the right to love as humans do. Granted, she discovers that she loves Mizgyr. But even as she discovers the fact the sun comes out to melt her. Mizgyr, overwhelmed with grief, commits suicide.