Overture: Ruslan and Ludmilla

A long time ago in Russia, the brave Knight, Ruslan, was married to King Vladimer’s daughter Ludmilla. It must have been something of a disappointment to Ruslan when, accompanied by a clap of thunder and a flash of lightning, his beautiful bride disappeared from the nuptial bed. The King immediately annulled the marriage and sent Ruslan and three rivals to search for Ludmilla with the message, “whoever brings her back wins the bride”. As this is a fairy story and Russian to boot, things get pretty complicated but the episode with the head bears a moment’s stay. Having disabled one of his rivals, Ruslan came across a giant head blocking his way. The head blew fiercely at Ruslan almost dislodging him from his horse but our hero managed to put his spear through the head’s tongue to subdue its mighty gusts. Once overcome, the head vowed allegiance to Ruslan and confessed that he was indeed the brother of Ludmilla’s abductor, Chernomor. In a decidedly non-fraternal act, Chernomor had cut off his brother’s head in a dispute over a sword. The head gave Ruslan the sword telling him that all his brother’s power was in his beard which, once cut off would make Ruslan the victor.

Meanwhile, Ludmilla, missing her bridegroom and rejecting Chernomor’s advances, stole a magic hat which made her invisible and thus impregnable! Chernomor changed his form to that of Ruslan. The fair maid was tricked enough by this to remove her hat but, realising that she had been duped, fell to the ground unconscious. At this very moment, Ruslan arrived. After putting the hat back on Ludmilla, he engaged Chernomor in battle and eventually managed to “shave” the beard from his face and emerge the conqueror. However, he could not find the once-again invisible Ludmilla until a chance wave of his sword knocked off the hat. After a couple of brief interludes where he was left for dead by one of the other rivals and relieved a siege of Kiev almost single-handed, Ruslan was ready for some unfinished business. Sadly, Ludmilla was still unconscious! Oh, but there was a magic ring which roused her from her torpor and they lived happily ever after.

Now enlightened, I am sure that you will enjoy Glinka’s dashing Overture.