Libretto by Yury Trayan, based on Pyotr Yershov’s fairy tale of the same title
Choreography and staging: People’s Artist of Belarus Yury Trayan
Musical director: Honoured Art Worker of the Republic of Belarus Nikolai Koliadko
Set designer: Lyubov Sidelnikova
Costume designer: Ekaterina Bulgakova
Lighting designer: Sergey Martynov
Conductors: People's Artist of the Republic of Bashkortostan Artem Makarov, Vladimir Ovodok
Assistants to the choreographer: People’s Artist of Belarus Anton Kravchenko, recipient of the Francysk Skaryna Medal Anna Fokina
Premiere: 30 and 31 October 2021

Act I

The Hut …Past the woods and mountains steep, Past the rolling waters deep, You will find a hamlet pleasant Where once dwelt an aged peasant. Of his sons-and he had three, Th'eldest sharp was as could be; Second was nor dull nor bright, But the third-a fool all right… Three brothers, Danila, Gavrila and Ivan, are sleeping heavily on an old smoked Russian stove. Their father is busy nearby. He tries to wake up his sons and din into them that someone has trampled all the crops in the field at night. They need to go on patrol and catch the mysterious villain at all costs. The Field …Night fell and the white moon rose. On his beat Ivan now goes, Looking sharply all around; Then he sits upon the ground, Munching slowly at his bread, Counts the bright stars overhead… The night is beautiful! Danila and Gavrila are sleeping carelessly, leaving their younger brother to guard the harvest. Suddenly Ivan sees a magnificent mare with four horses. He contrives to grab the beauty. The mare begs to let her go, promising two equally beautiful horses and a Little Humpbacked Horse in return. Ivan agrees and receives the promised. Magical firebirds arrive on the field and lull Ivan, plunging him into wonderful dreams. Flying away, one of them drops a sparkling feather. Yawning and stretching, Danila and Gavrila appear and see their younger brother sleeping and two magnificent horses next to him. Without thinking twice, the brothers decide to take the horses and sell them at the fair. When Ivan wakes up, he finds a feather, discovers that the horses are missing and goes after the thieves-brothers with his faithful assistant the Little Humpbacked Horse. The Fair …Then the merchants loudly call As each opens up his stall: «Honest masters - Come this way! See what wares We have today!»… A fair is taking place on the main square of the Capital City. The royal retinue, headed by the Tsar, reclining on a richly decorated feather bed Russian stove, appears. Seeing the wonderful horses that the brothers put up for sale, the Tsar immediately decides to buy them. But at the last moment of bargain Ivan appears with the Little Humpbacked Horse and proves that he owns this miracle horses: the brothers try to step up to the horses, but they buck and fight them off. The "would-be merchants" leave the market square in shame. The Tsar buys horses, and at the same time appoints Ivan as his stableman. The royal chambers …Our young fellow made his way To the Palace that fine day. He is Master of the Horse And he doesn’t pine, of course, For his brothers and his dad… Boyars and maids are trying to entertain the Tsar, who hardly keeps his eyes open. Ivan sleeps next to the miracle horses, and the Little Hunchback Horse jealously watches over him. But the vigilant assistant is overcome by sleep too. The royal retinue sneaks, hiding behind each other. They steal the Firebird’s feather from Ivan and give this wonderful gift to the Tsar. The Tsar is impressed! Playing with the feather, he waves it too strongly, a miracle happens! The magical birds appear. They are headed by their mistress, the Tsar Maiden. The Tsar is head over heels in love with the beautiful woman, but the wonderful vision disappears. He called Ivan and orders to set out in search of the Tsar Maiden and bring her to him! Ivan is afraid that he will fall down on the task. But his faithful assistant, the Little Hunchback Horse, knows how to do it. Only he knows what will happen next and how it will end!

Act II

The Kingdom of the Firebirds …Here the humpback tossed his head: «You will see a glade,» he said; «In the middle of this glade Stands a hill, of silver made. There it is that every morn Fire-Birds flock before the dawn»… The Wonderful Firebirds frolic and dance in a magical meadow. The Tsar Maiden is in the center. She is beautiful, but lonely and nothing makes her happy. The Little Hunchback Horse runs out into the meadow, and when he sees the wonderful birds, he calls his master. Ivan freezes, amazed by the beauty of the Tsar Maiden. Frightened the birds surround their tsarevna. But Ivan and the Tsar Maiden fall in love with each other instantly. Enchanted by new unfamiliar feelings, the beauty goes with Ivan on new adventures, and the devoted Little Hunchback Horse leads them. The royal chambers …At the Palace gates, at last They arrived; the Tsar ran fast To the Fair Tsar Maiden and Led her by her lily hand ‘Neath a silken canopy To the royal throne; the he Fondly gazing in her eyes Said, with honeyed voice, and sighs… The Tsar is in agony of suspense. The retinue scurries about him, the boyars try to distract him, but his soul longs to his beloved... It doesn't matter that he is old, fat and ridiculous. Bring her here immediately! Ivan appears with the tired Tsar Maiden in his arms. The infatuated Tsar tries to impress her. He is ready to get married right now. And the Tsar Maiden can’t help laughing, looking at her so-called groom. And once again, the Little Hunchback Horse comes to the rescue. At his instigation, the Tsar Maiden demands to get the ring of the Sea Princess that lies on the seabed. The cunning boyars offer the Tsar to send the simpleton Ivan to the impossible task again. Ivan and his faithful friend and adviser the Little Hunchback Horse are streaking to adventures again. The Underwater Kingdom …Well, Ivan rode off to bring Back the Tsar Maid’s signet-ring; And his horse flew like the wind, Leaving miles and leagues behind - Twenty thousand leagues, ere night, Covered in a single flight… The blue sea is heavy. At the seabed the inhabitants of the underwater kingdom dance around the Sea Princess. But nothing can cheer up the majestic, cold, never-laughing Sea Princess. Ivan and the Little Hunchback Horse appear. No requests and entreaties of Ivan have any effect on the Mistress of the sea. Then Ivan gives the Sea Princess a gift: the Firebird’s feather. The Little Hunchback Horse jumps out and starts dancing. The Sea Princess brakes down, laughs and presents her ring to the dashing dancer. The inhabitants of the seabed farewell our heroes, the blue sea runs high again and its exotic inhabitants dance around their princess again. The royal chambers …‘Yes, I know, I know,’ she said - ‘StilI-we cannot yet be wed.’ ‘Why can you not be my wife? Why? - I love you more than life; And, forgive my boldness, do, I just want to marry you.’… In the royal chambers, the Tsar begs the Tsar Maiden to become his wife. He is sure that Ivan has disappeared in the depths of the sea and will not bring the coveted ring. And the beauty is thinking about Ivan and the cheerful Little Hunchback Horse more and more. Meanwhile, she is having fun, forcing the infatuated Tsar to dance to exhaustion. Ivan and the Little Hunchback Horse are returning. The Tsar's task has been fulfilled, the ring has been delivered, no one but the Tsar is happy. Only the Little Hunchback Horse takes courage. He whispers to the Tsar Maiden how to arrange everything, and the capricious bride announces her decision. She is ready to become the Tsarina, but on one small condition… The Tsar-Groom must lose weight, get younger, get prettier, and for this he must jump into a cauldron with boiling milk. The Tsar is frightened! He orders Ivan to jump into the cauldron first. For the sake of the Tsar Maiden, Ivan is ready to take any risk. Undressing and, unexpectedly even for himself, kissing the beautiful princess, he boldly jumps into boiling milk. Everyone is anxiously waiting. And the Little Hunchback Horse calmly and confidently does magic over the cauldron, from which a fine young man jumps out.... Seeing the handsome Ivan, the Tsar takes his chance and falls into the cauldron like a lump. But this time the magic doesn't work... The wedding is in progress. Ivan and the Tsar Maiden dance their festive dance. Everyone glorifies the young couple. And they dote on the main character of the fairy tale, the smart assistant, brave Little Humpback Skate.

Act I

The Hut …Past the woods and mountains steep, Past the rolling waters deep, You will find a hamlet pleasant Where once dwelt an aged peasant. Of his sons-and he had three, Th'eldest sharp was as could be; Second was nor dull nor bright, But the third-a fool all right… Three brothers, Danila, Gavrila and Ivan, are sleeping heavily on an old smoked Russian stove. Their father is busy nearby. He tries to wake up his sons and din into them that someone has trampled all the crops in the field at night. They need to go on patrol and catch the mysterious villain at all costs. The Field …Night fell and the white moon rose. On his beat Ivan now goes, Looking sharply all around; Then he sits upon the ground, Munching slowly at his bread, Counts the bright stars overhead… The night is beautiful! Danila and Gavrila are sleeping carelessly, leaving their younger brother to guard the harvest. Suddenly Ivan sees a magnificent mare with four horses. He contrives to grab the beauty. The mare begs to let her go, promising two equally beautiful horses and a Little Humpbacked Horse in return. Ivan agrees and receives the promised. Magical firebirds arrive on the field and lull Ivan, plunging him into wonderful dreams. Flying away, one of them drops a sparkling feather. Yawning and stretching, Danila and Gavrila appear and see their younger brother sleeping and two magnificent horses next to him. Without thinking twice, the brothers decide to take the horses and sell them at the fair. When Ivan wakes up, he finds a feather, discovers that the horses are missing and goes after the thieves-brothers with his faithful assistant the Little Humpbacked Horse. The Fair …Then the merchants loudly call As each opens up his stall: «Honest masters - Come this way! See what wares We have today!»… A fair is taking place on the main square of the Capital City. The royal retinue, headed by the Tsar, reclining on a richly decorated feather bed Russian stove, appears. Seeing the wonderful horses that the brothers put up for sale, the Tsar immediately decides to buy them. But at the last moment of bargain Ivan appears with the Little Humpbacked Horse and proves that he owns this miracle horses: the brothers try to step up to the horses, but they buck and fight them off. The "would-be merchants" leave the market square in shame. The Tsar buys horses, and at the same time appoints Ivan as his stableman. The royal chambers …Our young fellow made his way To the Palace that fine day. He is Master of the Horse And he doesn’t pine, of course, For his brothers and his dad… Boyars and maids are trying to entertain the Tsar, who hardly keeps his eyes open. Ivan sleeps next to the miracle horses, and the Little Hunchback Horse jealously watches over him. But the vigilant assistant is overcome by sleep too. The royal retinue sneaks, hiding behind each other. They steal the Firebird’s feather from Ivan and give this wonderful gift to the Tsar. The Tsar is impressed! Playing with the feather, he waves it too strongly, a miracle happens! The magical birds appear. They are headed by their mistress, the Tsar Maiden. The Tsar is head over heels in love with the beautiful woman, but the wonderful vision disappears. He called Ivan and orders to set out in search of the Tsar Maiden and bring her to him! Ivan is afraid that he will fall down on the task. But his faithful assistant, the Little Hunchback Horse, knows how to do it. Only he knows what will happen next and how it will end!

Act II

The Kingdom of the Firebirds …Here the humpback tossed his head: «You will see a glade,» he said; «In the middle of this glade Stands a hill, of silver made. There it is that every morn Fire-Birds flock before the dawn»… The Wonderful Firebirds frolic and dance in a magical meadow. The Tsar Maiden is in the center. She is beautiful, but lonely and nothing makes her happy. The Little Hunchback Horse runs out into the meadow, and when he sees the wonderful birds, he calls his master. Ivan freezes, amazed by the beauty of the Tsar Maiden. Frightened the birds surround their tsarevna. But Ivan and the Tsar Maiden fall in love with each other instantly. Enchanted by new unfamiliar feelings, the beauty goes with Ivan on new adventures, and the devoted Little Hunchback Horse leads them. The royal chambers …At the Palace gates, at last They arrived; the Tsar ran fast To the Fair Tsar Maiden and Led her by her lily hand ‘Neath a silken canopy To the royal throne; the he Fondly gazing in her eyes Said, with honeyed voice, and sighs… The Tsar is in agony of suspense. The retinue scurries about him, the boyars try to distract him, but his soul longs to his beloved... It doesn't matter that he is old, fat and ridiculous. Bring her here immediately! Ivan appears with the tired Tsar Maiden in his arms. The infatuated Tsar tries to impress her. He is ready to get married right now. And the Tsar Maiden can’t help laughing, looking at her so-called groom. And once again, the Little Hunchback Horse comes to the rescue. At his instigation, the Tsar Maiden demands to get the ring of the Sea Princess that lies on the seabed. The cunning boyars offer the Tsar to send the simpleton Ivan to the impossible task again. Ivan and his faithful friend and adviser the Little Hunchback Horse are streaking to adventures again. The Underwater Kingdom …Well, Ivan rode off to bring Back the Tsar Maid’s signet-ring; And his horse flew like the wind, Leaving miles and leagues behind - Twenty thousand leagues, ere night, Covered in a single flight… The blue sea is heavy. At the seabed the inhabitants of the underwater kingdom dance around the Sea Princess. But nothing can cheer up the majestic, cold, never-laughing Sea Princess. Ivan and the Little Hunchback Horse appear. No requests and entreaties of Ivan have any effect on the Mistress of the sea. Then Ivan gives the Sea Princess a gift: the Firebird’s feather. The Little Hunchback Horse jumps out and starts dancing. The Sea Princess brakes down, laughs and presents her ring to the dashing dancer. The inhabitants of the seabed farewell our heroes, the blue sea runs high again and its exotic inhabitants dance around their princess again. The royal chambers …‘Yes, I know, I know,’ she said - ‘StilI-we cannot yet be wed.’ ‘Why can you not be my wife? Why? - I love you more than life; And, forgive my boldness, do, I just want to marry you.’… In the royal chambers, the Tsar begs the Tsar Maiden to become his wife. He is sure that Ivan has disappeared in the depths of the sea and will not bring the coveted ring. And the beauty is thinking about Ivan and the cheerful Little Hunchback Horse more and more. Meanwhile, she is having fun, forcing the infatuated Tsar to dance to exhaustion. Ivan and the Little Hunchback Horse are returning. The Tsar's task has been fulfilled, the ring has been delivered, no one but the Tsar is happy. Only the Little Hunchback Horse takes courage. He whispers to the Tsar Maiden how to arrange everything, and the capricious bride announces her decision. She is ready to become the Tsarina, but on one small condition… The Tsar-Groom must lose weight, get younger, get prettier, and for this he must jump into a cauldron with boiling milk. The Tsar is frightened! He orders Ivan to jump into the cauldron first. For the sake of the Tsar Maiden, Ivan is ready to take any risk. Undressing and, unexpectedly even for himself, kissing the beautiful princess, he boldly jumps into boiling milk. Everyone is anxiously waiting. And the Little Hunchback Horse calmly and confidently does magic over the cauldron, from which a fine young man jumps out.... Seeing the handsome Ivan, the Tsar takes his chance and falls into the cauldron like a lump. But this time the magic doesn't work... The wedding is in progress. Ivan and the Tsar Maiden dance their festive dance. Everyone glorifies the young couple. And they dote on the main character of the fairy tale, the smart assistant, brave Little Humpback Skate.