AE 220
 Bulgarian Operas

Background

The libretto is built on the strength of Bulgarian folk music. It is known that from the 9th century on, Bulgarian musicians have been invited to perform for emperors, kings, tsars and nobility. Especially during the Ottoman rule (1393-1878), their performances were a unique way of preserving their national identity. In that period, Christianity, the Bulgarian language, cultural traditions, folk songs and dances were preserved. People like "lud gidia" (a playful young man, you could also describe him as a charismatic brave cowboy who is a virtuoso on the stringed instrument) were national heroes. They instilled a particular mood in the people and served as middlemen between the government and the populace. The Kadia (the Turkish judge) was so in awe of the talent of the musicians, that he was ready to give fair sentence under the laws, especially after 1838 when the sultan had made a special decree concerning the rights of the "raia", the conquered peoples, especially of Slav background.

Premier 30 November 1959 - Sofia National Opera (this performance)

The opera as playlist

Synopsis

Act 1

In the village of Sultane the farm workers are seen early in the morning singing on their way to work in the fields of their masters. The shepherd Mecho, a worker for master Radan meets the farm workers and tells them about the big brawl that happened last evening. The rebec* player Ilija, a shepherd in love with Zornitza, the daughter of master Radan, was caught by Radan serenading Zornitza beneath her window. When he discovers that his daughter is in love with this farm worker he creates a scene in the village. He will not let this crazy Gidiya Ilija court his daughter, the finest girl in the village.

Ilija is heard coming from the fields singing of his love of Zornitza. Everyone in the village loves Ilija because he makes them happy with his songs and rebec playing and welcome him. Worried about his rash friend, Mecho plans to keep the lovers apart for their own safety. Ilija is prepared to fight for his love. The harvesters promise Ilija that they will help him and together they go off to work in the fields.

Kuna, a worker for master Radan and sweetheart of Mecho, comes running to Mecho and tells him to bring Ilija to meet Zomitza. Zornitza is unhappy due to her unfortunate destiny: her father has forced her to separate from her love. Unhappily she tells Ilija that it may be best for them to separate. At that moment Radan arrives with two other masters and angrily sends his daughter go home and orders Ilija to immediately leave the village. Radan announces that he would rather give his daughter to a Turk than to the worker Ilija. Hearing the argument, the returning workers grow indignant over Radan's words. Ilija is not afraid of the threats and courageously announces that he will not allow Radan give Zornitza to a Turk, then begins a comic song. Radan is furious and wants to complain to Kadija, but Ilija out of spite begins starts singing and playing on the rebec. His songs fascinate the countrymen who begin to dance the horo.

Act 2

At Radan's home the desperate Zornitza asks her mother for help. Her mother understands her because many years ago her father forced her to marry Radan. The Kadija of the village arrives at Radan's house looking for Bei Osman. As the Bei leaves Kadija happily tells him that he was made ruler of the village by the Sultan and wonders why he was granted this great honor. The Bei tells him that in one battle where the Turks were crushed, Kadija and his janissaries** saved the Sultan. For his act of heroism the Sultan gave him the village of Sultane. Kadija asks about the family of the Bei and with great sadness Osman tells he had once been a janissary for an Ottoman landlord but does not know his real family or where he came from. All that was left with him was one amulet made of leather marked with an unknown stamp. Unsuccessfully the Bei asked educated Syrians, Greeks, and Persians about the meaning of the amulet. Kadija tells the Bei that in the village there is one old priest called Otez Matei who might be able to read the amulet. The Bei sends one of his men to fetch the old priest Matei.

Radan arrives with two of his friends and complains to Kadija about Ilija - Lud Gidiya - who makes the village laugh and be happy. The masters insist that Ilija leave the village because he incites his fellow countrymen not to work on the master's fields. Kadija promises to denounce Ilija that same day and dismisses the masters. When he is alone with the Bei he reveals the real reason for Radan's anger. Kadija asks for advice from the Bei. If he blames Ilija the village people will be unhappy because they love their rebec player and if he acquits Ilija he will incur the wrath of masters. The Bei tells him that though in the retinue of Sulimen there are brave men, it is the singers that celebrate the work of the Sulimen. If you blame the singer you will make a great mistake.

The Kadija leaves pleased with the good mood of the Bei towards the rebec player and decides to acquit Ilija. The old priest Matei arrives and is met by the Bei who gives him the amulet. The priest immediately sees that the amulet is written in Bulgarian and the stamp is from the village of Sultane. With dignity the priest tells him about the past glory of the enslaved country: "Bulgarians had kings, intellectuals, great armies and a kingdom on three seas." Impatiently, the Bei asks what is written on the amulet. The priest replies that he has to research the old church books to answer. Feeling the resentment the Bei states this was started by Radam. He has been asking me to send Ilija away from the village but I do not want to interfere in the dispute between the masters and the rebec player. Just then Zornitza walks by and her beauty impresses the Bei. Radam notices the interest of the Turk and decides to take advantage of this. He offers the Bei his daughter for his wife on condition that he banish the rebec player from the village. Before Osman has a chance to answer Zornitza brings them coffee. Radam introduces the Bei ordering her to kiss the hand of her future husband. At those words the girl begs him for mercy, but he is inflexible. Full of love Osman tries to persuade the girl with the beauty of their future life. Zornitza bravely tells him that she loves another man and runs away. Radam calms the Bei and tells him that he will force his daughter to marry him. In the distance a drummer can be heard telling that the trial of Ilija will begin soon. Radam leaves to attend ir and Osman decides to send exile rebec playerto have Zornitza to himself.

Act 3

The drummer calls the people to gather under the old sycamore on the square for the trial. Zornitza tells her problems to her girlfriend Kuna who is trying to find Mecho to ask him for help. When Mecho hears of Radam's intention to marry his daughter to the Turk he promises to help. People begin gathering on the square to discuss their concern of the fate of the rebec player. Kadija arrives with the masters for court in the shadow of the tree. Ilija is brought in and the masters begin their prosecution stating that Ilija/Lud Gidiya makes unrest keeping the workers from the fields. The rebec player defends himself, explaining that he never treated anyone unfairly and never said anything bad about anyone. On the contrary, as a farm worker he is making a larger herd for the master. The truth is that Radam wants to send him away because of the love of Ilija for his daughter. The people confirm Ilija's words and the Kadija wants to hear him play to confirm that he can have such a positive effect on the people. He is ordered to be untied and starts to play to make everyone happy. The Kadija can't refrain and begins dancing and all the masters follow suit. At the end the happy Kadija rules that Ilija is not guilty. The people voice their approval of such a fair sentence.

The Bei arrives and orders the soldiers to bind Ilija and send him from the village. The soldiers tussle with Ilija and tear his shirt. The Bei is amazed to see on his breast an amulet similar to his. With his dagger he removes the amulet and gives it to the priest Matei. Excitedly Osman waits for an answer from the priest. Otez Matei quietly tells everyone that once upon a time the shepherd Boril from their village had two sons, Slav and Ilija. The Turks took the young Slav to be a janissary and now this Slav is before them as the Osman Bei. His brother is the rebec player Ilija. During the excitement Zornitza rushes in and asks the Bei to free Ilija in return for her hand in marriage. For her sacrifice the Bei tenderly brings her to Ilija. Everyone is ecstatic. Happily Ilija embraces Zornitza and his newfound brother.

Master Radan is compelled to agree to the marriage of Zornitza and Ilija as people congratulate each other. Unexpectedly Mecho arrives with a group of shepherds to rescue Ilija. Everyone laughs at Mecho's tardiness. Ilija invites the entire village to his marriage with Zornitza.

* Rebec a stringed instrument played with a bow.

** Janissary a Christian youth taken from his family at an early age in payment of Turkish taxes and trained to be a soldier in the Turkish armies. These boys from the Balkan countries were educated in Ottoman ways, often losing any memory of their families and where homeland. After years of training they returned to their countries and often to the villages of their families unknowingly to fight as a soldier of the Turks against their own people.