The Marriage

Libretto by the composer, after the play by Nikolai Gogol (E,G,Cz)

Major roles: S,M,A,T,Bar; minor roles: 2T,2B,2speakers
1.picc.2.2.2-2.2.0.1-timp.perc:cyms/BD/SD-pft-strings

Reduced scoring by Udo Zimmermann and Rene Hirschfeld (1989):
2.1(=corA).1(=bcl).1(=dbn)-1.1.1.0-perc(1):timp/BD/SD/susp.cym/tgl-
pft-strings(1.1.1.1.1)

St Petersburg, early 19th century

The setting is St Petersburg in the early part of the nineteenth century. Podkolyosin, a government official and bachelor, is contemplating marriage, and has engaged the marriage broker Fyokla to locate a suitable bride. She tells him about Agafya, a woman of 29. He cannot make up his mind. His friend Kochkaryov rushes in, wheedles the information about the prospective bride out of Fyokla, and decides to take over from her. He presses upon his friend the positive aspects of marriage. They set off for Agafya's house. She meanwhile awaits prospective suitors. Fyokla has organised three apart from Podkolyosin: Ivan (another government official), Anuchkin and Zhevakin (retired army and naval officers respectively). They are introduced, all somewhat unprepossessing. Kochkaryov arrives with Podkolyosin, who remains entirely silent throughout. Agafya retires in confusion and dismisses the suitors. Kochkaryov persuades Podkolyosin to marry her. In the second act Agafya rejects three of her suitors, two of whom seem neither surprised nor disappointed, though Kochkaryov disingenuously offers to forward Zhevakin's suit if he goes home. Instead, Kochkaryov carries on his matchmaking between Agafya and Podkolyosin by praising each of them to the other. Left alone, they make small talk, then Podkolyosin suddenly leaves. Agafya has, however, decided to marry him. Kochkaryov pushes Podkolyosin through the door to propose. He fails to do so, so his friend does it for him. He is accepted. He decides their wedding must be immediate, and Agafya goes off to dress. Kochkaryov leaves, and Podkolyosin changes his mind and escapes through a window. Back in his room, his servant announces that his tailcoat is finished. Podkolyosin waves him away.

Comic