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THE TALE OF THE PRIEST AND HIS BLOCKHEAD SERVANT
Opera in two acts after a tale by A. Pushkin

Composer: Shostakovich, Dmitri
Subtitle: Nach der gleichnamigen Erzählung von A. Puschkin
Lyricists: Chentowa, Sofia
Playing time: 75:00
Opus/Year: 36 (1980)
Genre: Opera
Instrumentation: 4(2Picc),3(EnglHorn),4(Es-Klar,BKlar),2SSax,2TSax,3(KFag) – 4,3,Bariton,3,1 – Pk, Schl (Trgl, Rassel, Holzbl, Tamb, kl.Tr, gr.Tr, Bk, Gl, Pistole, Glsp, Xyl, Vibr), Harfe, Akk, Bajan, Git, Balalaika, Streicher

Content:

The farmhand Balda is looking for work and the priest is looking for a farmhand. As the tribute for a year, the farmhand requests to be allowed to give his master three swats on the nose. Priest and Balda agree to the deal. The year goes by; the farmhand eats for four, works for seven and always remains cheerful. The priest’s daughter falls in love with him and the priest’s son even calls him “father.” Towards the end of the year, the priest sends his farmhand to the devil to request the tribute, knowing full well that no one returns from there. Balda succeeds in outwitting the devil, however, and brings the priest the owed tribute. In the end, he receives the three owed swats on the nose, the effect of which is enormous.

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In printed editions:

Schostakowitsch, Dmitri
  • New Collected Works
    Vol. 126: The Tale of the Priest and his Servant Balda / The Story of a Silly Baby Mouse
    Edition no.: SIK DS 126
    Edition: Collected Works
    Price: € 232,30 incl. VAT plus delivery