Summary Stanislav Moniuszko. Pebbles
COATING
Opera in four acts
Libretto by V. Vokulsky
Characters:
Stolnik Sophia, his daughter Janusz | Bass Soprano Baritone Soprano Tenor Bass | |
Pebbles Iontek | } | Serfs Janusz |
Dzemba, the manager of the steward |
Guests, noblemen, musicians, peasants and peasant women.
The action takes place in Poland around 1700.
PLOT
Noisy and fun in the rich house of the steward. Today, the hospitable host celebrates the betrothal of his daughter Sophia with the young Pan Janusz. Everyone admires the young couple. The Stolnik blesses the young. There are the sounds of a plaintive song. This pebble searches for his Janusz. It is hard in her soul –
However, in the soul of the pebbles creeps in doubt. Hope then leaves her, then flashes up again. In vain, Lontek, who loves her, tries to convince Galka of the treachery of the master; the girl does not listen to him. From the house funny voices are heard, Pebbles in horror freezes. In despair she rushes to the locked doors of the house, crying to Janush, the father of her young son. In vain, Iontec, fearing a panic anger, is trying to take the distraught girl out of grief. Janusz runs out of the house, followed by a steward with Sofya and guests. Janusz orders to drive away the pebbles and Iontek.
A quiet summer evening in the mountains. From a distance there is a bell ringing. The peasants are slowly returning from
Deserted rural area near the old church. Tonight there will be a wedding ceremony between Janusz and Sophia. Heavy thoughts overwhelm Iontek. With bitterness he thinks about the fate of Galka, about his unrequited love. The square is gradually filled with people. In the crowd – Pebbles. Appears solemn wedding procession. Noticing Janusz Galka comes into confusion – a short pangs of conscience are replaced by fear, as if the bride did not find out about the girl he had ruined. Together with all he hurries to the church. On the empty area there is a pebble. Suddenly her clouded consciousness clears up. She begins to understand the meaning of what is happening. Pebbles remember his abandoned, starving child, and the passionate, irresistible desire for revenge seizes it. The girl decides to set fire to the church, to betray the traitorous fierce death. She is ready to put a bundle of burning straw to the door of the temple, but suddenly changes her mind and rushes into a stormy river in a fit of despair. Iontek and the peasants who have run out of the church do not have time to save it.