Ivan the Fourth

An opera by Georges Bizet composed in 1862.

Synopsis

Act 1.

The Caucasus mountains, in the lands of the Circassians.

Introduction.

Whilst the women are drawing water from the spring for their menfolk who have gone hunting, a young Bulgarian arrives looking for his master. Marie, daughter of Temrouk (the Circassian chieftain) reassures the young foreigner, who in return expresses the wish that she will never have to leave her mountains.

The young Bulgarian's master now arrives to slake his thirst, He gives Marie a flower and then disappears The women return to their work while Marie is strangely troubled.

Scene 2.

Marie cannot understand her father's anxiety All around seems radiant to her At this moment, a group of Russians appears unexpectedly. A menacing officer orders Temrouk, in the name of the Tsar, to hand over, his daughter. Temrouk offers resistance whilst the Circassian people pray in order to avert a massacre. Marie follows the officer. Temrouk is heartbroken. Finale. Sounding horns announce the huntsmen's return. Igor, Temrouk's son, learning that his sister, Marie has been carried off calls on his companions to pursue the ravishers Temrouk stops them. Inspired by Allah, he sends off his son alone to take vengeance and bring his sister back

Act 2

A banqueting hall in lvan's palace.

Scene.

Whilst lvan and his companions feast, dismal drum rolls and the voices of condemned men begging for mercy are beard in the distance. But their cries are in vain, for the Tsar's justice is implacable and surpasses all else. Ivan orders the young Bulgarian to sing for his entertainment. The young Bulgarian obeys. Ivan finds his song distressing and launches into the only refrain that is to his taste and this is taken up by the chorus.

Finale.

Ivan announces to the boyars that he is going to choose his bride. In an aside, the Tsar's servant and confidante, Yorloff swears that woe will descend on his master if he does not select his (Yorloff's) daughter. Marie conceals herself amid a group of girls who have been carried off and brought together especially for this occasion. Ivan asks them to remove their veils. Marie recognises him as the stranger who once offered her a flower. She resists him, denouncing tyranny, but admits to herself that she loves him. All present admire her beauty at last revealed, her courage and her pride. She is chosen but still refuses to submit. Yorloff, his plans confounded, demands her death. The chorus invokes Providence whilst Olga the Tsar's sister, places Marie under God's protection.

Act 3

The main courtyard of the Kremlin.

Chorus and dance.

The Russian people express their joy in song and dance as they wait for Tsar Ivan IVth, Tsarina Marie and the boyars to go by. The procession moves forwards to he strains of a march, acclaimed by the crowds. In their midst is Igor who tries unsuccessfully to approach the Tsar's party. lgor is reunited with his father. Months have gone by without any news. Each tells the other of his adventures and they are more than ever determined to be revenged.

Trio and Final Chorus. Yorloff joins the two men. He has hatched a conspiracy and primes Igor who is to kill the Tsar and Tsarina that very evening. Meanwhile, the crowd is heard celebrating the imperial wedding. Igor is unaware that the Tsarina, Marie, is his sister.

Act 4.

Outside the nuptial chamber.

The young Bulgarian invites Marie to embark on a nuptial cruise. Marie meditates on her existence; she is torn between her past happiness and her present love. Since the day she yielded to her feelings for Ivan, her former oppressor has become master of her heart. Ivan comes and asks Marie to take her place in the barge of honour. Before he too embarks, Ivan shows Yorloff a note implying that Marie is planning to kill him. Yorloff, left alone, exults in the suspicion that he has sown in the Tsar's mind and then give final instructions to Igor.

Igor awaits his hour of triumph but is overcome by memories. In the distance, the young Bulgarian and the crowd acclaim the imperial barge. Igor catches sight of the vessel as it comes in to anchor.

Marie and Igor find themselves face to face. Their surprise and joy at the reunion are quickly followed by realisations of the cruel reality of the situation. Igor tells Marie that he has come to assassinate the Tsar. She informs Igor, that the Tsar is now her husband and expresses opposition to her brother's plan for vengeance. Igor threatens her. She calls down her mother's pardon on Ivan. Igor, remembering the oath that his mother had invoked in her prayer, throws down his weapon and renounces his planned crime.

Ivan and Yorloff arrive on the scene. Yorloff accuses Igor of making an attempt on the Tsar's life with Marie as his accomplice. The people denounce this treachery and Yorloff notices a sudden weakness in the Tsar. In the general turmoil which follows, an officer enters and announces that foreigners have fomented an uprising in the city and that the Kremlin is ablaze. Yorloff denounces Temrouk and the people cry out for justice as Ivan collapses.

Act 5.

First tableau:

Below the walls of the citadel, an officer and a sentry are in discussion. We learn that the Tsar is said to be dead and that Yorloff has succeeded him. Temrouk is singing of the situation when Ivan suddenly appears having come to his senses. The Tsar's death knell is heard but Ivan is now restored to full strength.

Second tableau:

The courtyard of the Kremlin. The crowd demands the death of Tsarina Marie as Yorloff solemnly proclaims that he, Yorloff, will be regent. Marie and Igor prepare to die when Tsar Ivan rushes in and denounces the usurper. Yorloff is seized and condemned to be executed. The people acclaim the Tsar and his consort.