Schedule for Vasiliy Pashkevich "Gostiny Dvor" (The Merchant’s Yard) Comic opera in three acts 2022

Conductor: Alexei Vereshchagin
Bass: Anatoly Zakharov
Bass: Kirill Filin

Chorus Master: Alexander Rybnov
Libretto: Mikhail Matinsky
Director: Gleb Cherepanov
Set Designer: Victor Shilkrot
Costume Designer: Irena Belousova
Light Designer: Evgeny Vinogradov
Composer: Vasiliy Pashkevich

Opera in 2 acts

Performed in Italian

Russian comedy and comic opera of the 18th century

M. Matinsky’s comic opera was first published in 1790 in Moscow without the consent of the author under the name "St. Petersburg Gostiny Dvor". The following year, the author published it in St. Petersburg in a new edition under the title "You'll be Known by the Way you Live"; in the "Preliminary Notice" to this the editorial staff M. Matinsky reported that his comic opera "was played before sim years for ten "; thus, the date of its setting may be timed to the years 1781-1782. In Moscow, it was first performed in theater Maddoksa in 1783 (here usually Petersburg plays were going to next season). The date of the first production in the literature the comic opera of Matinsky - 1779, taken from an absolutely unreliable source, the so-called "Chronicles" I. Nosov. In 1799, the third edition of this comic opera was printed in Moscow under it's first title. The text of all publications differs relatively slightly. The greatest the deviation is that in the second edition of the last act of the play happens again in Gostiny Dvor, and not in Skvalygin's house, as in two other editions. In terms of language, the second edition is much weaker, since Matinsky smoothed out the speech features of the characters of the play.   

Time: 18th Century

Place: In and around Naples

Act 1

By the sea shore near Naples

The poet Prosdocimo (baritone) is searching for a plot for a drama buffo. He meets a band of Gypsies, including the beautiful but unhappy Zaida (mezzo-soprano) and her confidant Albazar (tenor). Perhaps the Gypsies can provide some ideas? Prosdocimo's friend, the obstinate and sometimes foolish Geronio (bass), is looking for a fortune teller to advise him on his marital problems, but the Gypsies tease him. Zaida tells Prosdocimo that she is from a Turkish harem. She and her master, Prince Selim, were in love, but jealous rivals accused her of infidelity and she had to flee for her life, accompanied by Albazar. Nevertheless, she still loves only one man and that man is Selim. Prosdocimo knows that a Turkish prince will shortly be arriving in Italy. Perhaps he can help? Geronio's capricious young wife Fiorilla (soprano) enters singing (in contrast to Zaida) of the joys of free and unfettered love. A Turkish ship arrives and the prince disembarks. It is Selim (bass) himself. Fiorilla is immediately attracted to the handsome Turk, and a romance rapidly develops. Narciso (tenor) appears in her pursuit. He is an ineffectual admirer of Fiorilla posing as a friend of her husband. Geronio follows, horrified to learn that Fiorilla is taking the Turk home to drink his coffee!

Geronio's house

Fiorilla and Selim are flirting. Geronio enters timidly and Selim is initially impressed by his unexpected meekness, however Narciso noisily scolds Geronio. The domestic menage irritates Selim and he leaves after quietly arranging to meet Fiorilla again by his ship. Geronio tells Fiorilla he will not allow any more Turks - or Italians - in his house. She sweetly undermines his complaints, and then, when he softens, threatens to punish him by enjoying herself even more wildly.

The sea shore at night

Selim is waiting for Fiorilla. Instead he meets Zaida. The former lovers are shocked and delighted, and declare once more their mutual love. Narciso re-appears, followed by Fiorilla in disguise, with Geronio in pursuit. Selim confuses the veiled Fiorilla with Zaida and the two women come suddenly face to face. Fiorilla accuses Selim of betrayal. Zaida confronts Fiorilla. Geronio tells his wife to go home. There is a stormy finale.

Act 2

At an inn

Selim approaches Geronio amicably, offering to buy Fiorilla. That way Geronio can be rid of his problems and also make some money. Geronio refuses. Selim vows to steal her instead. After they leave, Fiorilla and a group of her friends appear, followed by Zaida. Fiorilla has set up a meeting between them and Selim, so that the Turk will be forced to decide between the two women. In the event he is indecisive, not wishing to lose either of them. Zaida leaves in disgust. Selim and Fiorilla quarrel but are eventually reconciled. As the poet tells Geronio, there is going to be a party. Fiorilla will be there to meet Selim, who will be masked. Geronio should also go - disguised as a Turk! Narciso overhears this, and decides to take advantage of the situation to take Fiorilla himself, in revenge for her former indifference. Geronio laments his destiny, that he should have such a terrible, crazy wife. Albazar passes by holding a costume - for Zaida!

A ballroom with masqueraders and dancers

Fiorilla mistakes Narciso for Selim and Narciso leads her away. Meanwhile, Selim enters with Zaida, under the impression that she is Fiorilla. Geronio is in utter despair at finding two couples and two Fiorillas! Narciso and Selim both entreat their partners to leave with them. Confused and angry, Geronio attempts to stop both couples, but they eventually escape.

Back at the inn

Prosdocimo meets Geronio. They now know that Selim was with Zaida and guess that Fiorilla was with Narciso. Albazar confirms that Selim will definitely stay with Zaida. Prosdocimo advises Geronio to have his revenge on Fiorilla by pretending to divorce her and threatening to send her back to her family.

Having discovered Narciso's deception, Fiorilla tries to find Selim, but he has already left with Zaida. She returns home only to find the divorce letter, and her belongings being removed from the house. She is devastated by shame, and promptly deserted by her friends.

The beach

Selim and Zaida are about to set sail for Turkey, while Fiorilla is looking for a boat to take her back to her home town. Geronio finds and forgives her. They are affectionately reconciled. Both couples are now reunited and Prosdocimo is delighted with his happy ending.