About the work
Prince Igor (Russian "Knyaz Igor") is an opera in a prologue and four acts by Alexander Borodin, left unfinished at his death in 1887 and premiered in 1890 in the version completed by Rimsky-Korsakov and Glazunov. The Russian national epic is based on the medieval "Lay of Igor's Campaign."
Plot
Prince Igor of Seversk goes to war against the nomadic Polovtsians despite an evil omen—a solar eclipse. He is defeated and captured together with his son. The noble Polovtsian Khan Konchak treats him honourably and even offers him freedom in exchange for an alliance. While Igor's son falls in love with the Khan's daughter, Igor longs only for home and duty. Finally he escapes; he returns to his faithful wife Yaroslavna and his discord-plagued people to rebuild his land.
Cultural significance
Prince Igor is a cornerstone of Russian national opera, famous above all for the rousing "Polovtsian Dances," which gained worldwide fame as an independent concert piece. Borodin's music combines epic grandeur, lyrical intimacy, and exotic, Oriental colour. The work celebrates Russian love of homeland and steadfastness and, despite its complicated genesis, is among the most important works of the "Mighty Handful" composers.