A.Rubinshtein, "The Demon"
Opera in three acts, and seven scenes
To the libretto of Pavel Viskovatov, according to the same poem by M. Yu. Lermontov.
The first act
The first scene – a prologue
A storm is raging in the Caucasian mountains, in the noise of bad weather, voices of hell spirits are heard. They perfectly know who did this, and are looking forward to their master with great impatience. A black shadow appeared at the top of one of the mountains – it's a Demon cursed by God and people, a paradise exile that can not find peace anywhere else. The Demon hates the whole world, angels persuade him to repent, but he rejects this request.
The second scene
Completely different picture opens before the Demon, the beautiful nature of the river valley of Aragva, on the shore of which there is the old castle of Prince Gudalah. Girls are descend to the river, among whom is the daughter of Prince Tamara. The Demon looks at the beautiful girl with great excitement and remembers those with whom he once spent time and whom he had long been putting on. The Demon can not take his eyes off the beautiful Tamara.
An incomprehensible sense of fear embraces the girl, and Tamara briefly calms down. What kind of voice suddenly seemed to her? Who called her with him, promising her power over the world and eternity? Princess notices on the top of the rock a fleeting shadow, but it suddenly disappears.
The third scene
A rich caravan rides along the road in the mountains - this is the prince of the Synodal rides to his bride. Near the gorge the road was blocked by a collapse. The night is coming, and the caravan should stay in this place until the morning. The old servant invites the prince to go and pray in the chapel, which is visible on the rock, as it will help to save the travelers. But the guy is not up to prayer, he always thinks to see and hug Tamara as soon as possible. The prince's companions, tired of the long road, are preparing for a night's lodging, and quickly fall asleep. Also the young prince fell asleep. Above the body of the Synodal is a dark figure, who peers at him - this is the Demon looking at his rival. During the dream, the Tatars crept into the camp, and destroyed it. Some were killed, some fled away, and the Synodal himself was mortally wounded. In the last moments of his life, the prince sees a black, silent ghost before him.
The second act
The fourth scene
A big feast is taking place in the castle of Gudalah, the old prince marries his daughter Tamara. A cheerful song sounds, dances are everywhere, wine flows like a river. The groom has not arrived yet, but a messenger came from him with the news that Sinadal will be delayed on the way and will arrive at noon. But Tamara does not think about him at all, her image is completely different. A cry is heard, and they bring the body of the murdered groom in the hall where the feast is taking place. Tamara is sure that the end of her dreams of love has come.
In moments of sorrow, Tamara turns to the sky in prayer, and as if she freezes. And it seems to her that someone is calling her. She hears a voice that comforts and says that the prince can not rise again, and that he is now far away in paradise places. And again someone offers princess power over the world.
The girl tries to find out who is talking to her, but there is no answer. An unknown voice promises to reappear closer to the night. The young princess is fascinated by his marvelous speeches and not by earthly beauty, she catches herself on thoughts, how can she think about the joys of life when her fiance was killed? Tamara asks the old prince to let her go to the monastery.
The third act
The fifth scene
The love of the girl completely changed the Demon. Immortality and power over the world do not matter to him. The main thing that he wants is to be next to a beautiful girl and love her. He is not afraid to enter the shrine, for his spirit is open to good. Angels try to discourage him, but, seeing his resolve, let him through. The Demon crosses the threshold of the monastery.
All around are asleep, only in one window the light is flickering - these are the chambers of Tamara. In the monastery she did not find what she was looking for. But she is still constantly pursued by the same voice. He is everywhere, in a dream, during prayer. The young princess does not know who he is, but she is waiting for him. And he came. She is afraid of him. The Demon, without melting anything, tells the girl all about himself. She is ready to believe him, only asks him to swear. The Demon is ready to repent. The poor princess can no longer resist the temptation. But the ringing of the morning bell and the song of the monks lead her out of numbness. This sound seemed to her a kind of caution. The Demon managed to convince Tamara, and she falls dead from his first kiss.
Epilogue
Angels say that Tamara redeemed her doubts with suffering and love, the paradise is open for her. The Demon has no forgiveness, and he curses everything on earth with rage.
The seventh scene
Apotheosis
The host of angels takes the young princess to heaven, to eternal bliss.