Dimitrij (opera)

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Dimitrij
Grand opera by Antonín Dvořák
Scenes from Dimitrij by Emil Zillich for the Světozor journal, 1883
Librettist	Marie Červinková-Riegrová
Language	Czech
Based on	Ferdinand Mikovec's Dimitr Ivanovič
Premiere	8 October 1882 (1882-10-08) New Czech Theatre, Prague

Dimitrij is a Czech-language grand opera in four acts by Antonín Dvořák (B. 127, Op. 64), set to a libretto by Marie Červinková-Riegrová, with a plot derived from Ferdinand Mikovec's Dimitr Ivanovič, itself based upon Friedrich Schiller's incomplete Demetrius. The work was first performed in Prague in 1882.

Composition and performance history

The libretto was originally written for

With Dimitrij, Dvořák scored a great popular success, though he later persuaded his librettist to rework act 4, and this revised version was given in 1885. Later still, he heavily reworked the opera along Wagnerian lines, and this radical version was performed during 1892.

Roles

Synopsis

After the death of Boris, the Russian people are split between the followers of the Godunov family (led by Shuisky) whilst others (led by General Basmanov) support Dmitrij, assumed son of Ivan the Terrible and husband to the Polish Marina of the Sandomir family. If Marfa (widow of Ivan the Terrible) publicly recognises Dimitrij as her son, he will triumph. Despite knowing that this is not the case, she does this to use him as a pawn for her revenge on her old enemies.

In act 2, Dimitrij is seen breaking up altercations between Poles and Russians and rescuing Xenie, with whom he forms a relationship. He also breaks up a conspiracy led by Shuisky, who is to be executed.

In act 3, Xenie begs Dimitrij to have mercy on Shuisky. Marina realises the link between the two and reveals Dimitrij's humble origins, but he nevertheless intends to remain ruler.

Finally, in act 4, Xenie mourns her betrayed love. Marina, however, has Xenie killed and reveals Dimitrij's origins. Dimitrij is finally shot by Shuisky.

References

• Jan Smaczny (2001). "Dimitrij". In
  ISBN 978-1-56159-239-5
  .‎

• Dimitrij (Dvořák): Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
• Info on a comprehensive Dvorak site
• Dimitrij (1946 recording; reconstructed 1995) (Youtube)