Rimsky-Korsakov’s Christmas Eve, based on a short story by Gogol, centres on the love of the blacksmith Vakula for the rich farmer’s daughter Oksana, who mockingly requires him to obtain for her the Tsarina’s shoes in order to win her hand in marriage. However, evil spirits are on the rampage imperilling their love – a witch on her broomstick gathers the stars and the devil steals the moon. Rimsky-Korsakov blends Christian and pagan elements, Ukrainian folk songs and carols, and atmospheric orchestral interludes in this vivacious and fantastical village romance.

Released in perfect time for the Christmas season, this opera is considered by musical director Sebastian Weigle to be a ‘great gift’ in every regard.

This is the disc version of the audiovisual release on 2110738 and NBD0154V: ‘Sebastian Weigle leads the excellent Frankfurt orchestra and chorus in a spellbinding account of Rimsky-Korsakov’s score’, wrote MusicWeb International. It also won the German Record Critics Award for Quarterly Critics Choice and was a Musicweb International ‘Recommended’ release.

‘The entire cast is superb. Georgy Vasiliev is a handsome, bearded tenor who sings with an unforced, pleasing voice. It doesn’t hurt that he has great high notes too – a quality also shared by the lovely Julia Muzychenko. She sings with powerful sweetness and is no slouch in the dance department,’ wrote American Record Guide.

Cast:
- Vakula: Georgy Vasiliev (tenor)
- Oksana: Julia Muzychenko (soprano)
- Solokha/Woman with a Violet Nose: Enkelejda Shkoza (mezzo-soprano)
- Chub: Alexey Tikhomirov (bass)
- Devil: Andrei Popov (tenor)
- Panas: Anthony Robin Schneider (bass)
- The Mayor: Sebastian Geyer (baritone)
- Deacon Ossip Nikiforovich: Peter Marsh (tenor)
- Tsarina: Bianca Andrew (mezzo-soprano)
- Patsyuk: Thomas Faulkener (bass)
- Woman with a Normal Nose: Barbara Zechmeister (soprano)