Rimsky-korsakov’s

The Snow Maiden

A popular opera following its premiere at the Mariinsky Theatre in January 1882, it was also said to have been the composer’s favourite. It came less than a decade after Alexander Ostrovsky’s play of the same name and features a libretto by the composer himself. Ostrovsky was pleased with the adaptation, which is faithful to his Paganist tale of changing seasons and mythic figures. Rimsky-korsakov incorporates leitmotifs for the characters and folk melodies for the townspeople.