The Legend of the Invisible City of Kitezh

Introduction. Praise to the Wilderness

Act One
Scene One
In the remote forests near Little Kitezh, Fevroniya lives in harmony with animals and birds, far from people. Her solitary life is disrupted by the sudden appearance of a wounded hunter. The young man, dressed as a huntsman, curiously inquires about her life. Who is she, capable of stopping blood from a wound and peacefully conversing with wild beasts? And to which god does she pray if she does not visit the church? “Isn't God everywhere?” Fevroniya gently replies. “The great church is here.” Her convictions and love for all living things captivate the stranger. Their conversation turns into a love duet. The guest places a ring on Fevroniya's finger, and they are now betrothed. The young man leaves, promising to send matchmakers. When hunters led by Fyodor Poyarok, searching for their comrade, appear at Fevroniya's hut, she learns that the stranger, to whom she is betrothed, is Prince Vsevolod, the son of Prince Yuri, ruler of Great Kitezh.

Act Two
Scene Two
Little Kitezh on the left bank of the Volga. The crowd gathers in the marketplace, awaiting the wedding procession. A bear tamer shows off his trained bear, making it mimic “how bell-ringer Pahomushka leisurely goes to church” and how he hurries home. A gusli player sings a mournful ballad about the Tatar invasion. The “better people” (wealthy citizens of Kitezh) are displeased that a commoner will become their princess. Seeing the drunkard Grishka Kuterma, they incite him to insult Fevroniya upon her arrival. Soon, the wedding cart arrives in the square, with Fevroniya accompanied by Fyodor Poyarok, the groom's best man. An intoxicated Grishka mockingly greets the bride, reminding her that they are both of humble origins. Fevroniya humbly agrees and bows to all the citizens of Kitezh. But Grishka continues, predicting poverty and humiliation for her. The outraged crowd chases away the drunkard. Poyarok calls on the girls to sing a wedding song for the bride. Their singing is interrupted by distant horn sounds. The alarmed citizens listen and despair: the Tatars have attacked Kitezh, sparing no one. Grishka and Fevroniya are captured. The Tatar warriors Bedyay and Burunday, leading the attack, demand the prisoners show them the way to Great Kitezh. The cowardly Grishka agrees. Fevroniya prays for the city's salvation.

Act Three
Scene Three
Great Kitezh. Citizens gather in the square to hear the blinded Fyodor Poyarok. He tells of the fall of Little Kitezh and warns of danger to Great Kitezh. Rumors suggest that Fevroniya is leading the Tatars to the city. Prince Yuri calls for prayers. Prince Vsevolod asks for blessings and leads his warriors into battle. As bells toll, the city becomes shrouded in mist.

The Battle at Kerzhenets
The Russian army is defeated in the battle at the Kerzhenets River.

Scene Four
Grishka leads the Tatars to the shore of Lake Svetloyar. But why can't they see Great Kitezh on the other side? Deciding to wait for dawn, the Tatars tie up Grishka and start dividing the spoils. Boasting about their victory over the Kitezh warriors, they mention the death of Prince Vsevolod. A dispute erupts between Bedyay and Burunday over who will possess Fevroniya. In the heat of the argument, Burunday kills his rival. Fevroniya mourns her betrothed in anguish. Suddenly, she is addressed by Grishka. Kuterma pleads for release so he can repent for his betrayal. Fevroniya unties his ropes. Grishka intends to flee, but he imagines hearing the bells of Kitezh. In despair, he tries to throw himself into the lake but stops, rooted to the shore. At dawn, Grishka sees the empty far bank, while the reflection of invisible Kitezh appears on the water's surface. The festive ringing grows louder; Kuterma loses his sanity and runs away, dragging Fevroniya with him.

Act Four
Scene Five
Fevroniya and the delirious Grishka wander through the Kerzhenets marshes. Unable to endure the torments of conscience and terrifying visions, Kuterma flees. Exhausted, Fevroniya collapses on the grass, calling for the deliverer of death. Unseen flowers bloom around her, voices of heavenly birds prophesy peace and happiness. She sees her deceased betrothed. Fevroniya rushes to meet him. Prince Vsevolod reveals that Kitezh and its inhabitants did not perish but became invisible. The young couple set off for the invisible city, accompanied by the heavenly birds Sirin and Alkonost.
Scene Six
In the miraculously transformed city square, the survivors of Kitezh welcome the couple. They sing the wedding song left unfinished in Little Kitezh. However, Fevroniya remembers the unfortunate, unrepentant Grishka, who is not destined to enter the magical city. She dictates a message to Poyarok, which the Messenger will deliver to the wayward sinner. Only after this is Fevroniya ready to join Prince Vsevolod, hand in hand, in eternal joy.