Shaliapin: Farlaf's Rhondo (Ruslan & Ludmila)

"My triumph is at hand" - Recorded London 1931

The suitor rivals, among whom are Farlaf and Ruslan, are on their perilous quest for the abducted Ludmila. Farlaf, with the help of the crone Naina, now believes he has an unassailable advantage. He exults that he will surely possess her soon.

An excerpt from a poetic translation of Pushkin's "Ruslan and Ludmila"

Farlaf showing now his paces
Across a wood we see him ride....
In his loving thoughts embraces
His only love, his hoped-for bride.
"My wife," he cries, "my own Ludmila,
Will e'er I find thee, dear one, will I
Thy gaze full of enchantment meet
And hear thy tender voice and sweet?
Say, is it in a wizard's power
Thou art, and is the early bloom
Of youth to fade? Art thou to sour
And wither in a dungeon's gloom?...
Or will one of my rivals seize thee
And bear thee off?-Nay, love, rest easy:
My head is on my shoulders still,
And this my sword I wield with skill."

[Herur]

Thank you for this example of the art of the great Shaliapin, Barry.

[emisfer]

You can hear well the russian touch in Glinka's work, it's amazing !