AN OPERA
IN THREE ACTS BY
N. RIMSKY-KORSAKOV
COPYRIGHTED, 1918, BY FRED RULLMAN, INC.
PUBLISHED BY
FRED RULLMAN, Inc.
AT THE
THEATRE TICKET OFFICE. 111 BROADWAY
NEW YORK
This book contains the text of the opera both in French and in English.The original presented the two languages on alternating pages. This isimpractical to reproduce in an e-text. Instead, the acts alternate: Act 1 inFrench, then in English, followed by Act 2, etc.
It seems obvious from the number of errors in the original text that it wasnot checked by a fluent French speaker before publication. Accents and punctuationhave been corrected without note. A fuller list of changes made appearsat the end of this text.
King Dodon, a lazy and gluttonous ruler, is greatly worriedby his warlike neighbors. He seeks advice but his various advisersfail to comfort him. Finally the Astrologer brings him awonderful bird, the Golden Cock, who knows how to foretellevents. The bird is placed on a spire in Dodon’s capital andfrom hour to hour sends out from his high perch various messageswhich either send the crowd scurrying for their weapons, orcause it to scatter and return to its peaceful activities. Thebird suddenly sounds a war alarm. Dodon assembles his warriorsand they set out on their journey to the enemy’s land.
King Dodon’s army fares rather badly in an encounter withits foe. In the uncertain light of early morning his warriors retreatinto a deep gorge where the ground is piled high with thebodies of the dead. Suddenly Dodon and his generals descry atent. It must be the headquarters of the enemy’s chief.
They prepare the onslaught when suddenly there comes outof the tent a beautiful young woman who sings a bold hymn tothe sun in which she dilates complacently upon her own physicalbeauty. Dodon and his general, Polkan, are at once attracted andlisten with pleasure while she tells them that she intends to conquerDodon’s capital. Her task is only too easy. Dodon is readyand willing to give her anything she may desire, even Polkan’shead.
Dodon and the strange Queen start for Dodon’s capital: hewill make her his bride. Their honeymoon is not unmixed bliss;the young Queen compels her old husband to amuse her in wayswhich are not always as dignified as would beseem Dodon’sposition.
They quarrel. The Astrologer appears once more on thescene. He reminds the King of his promise to give him anythinghe wishes in exchange for the marvelous bird. The Queenherself is the price he demands. Dodon, indignant, strikes himwith his scepter and he apparently falls dead. Then the birdflies down from the spire, pecks Dodon on the head and kills him.The Astrologer then resuscitates, informs the audience that thewhole story is a fable, and that only he and the Queen are realhuman beings.
LE COQ D’OR
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