Mariinsky II (New Theatre)

The Maid of Pskov, is an opera in three acts by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. The libretto was written by the composer, and is based on the drama of the same name by Lev Mey. The story concerns the Tsar Ivan the Terrible and his efforts to subject the cities of Pskov and Novgorod to his will. The original version of the opera was completed in 1872, and received its premiere in 1873 in St. Petersburg, Russia. The third and final version was completed in 1892, and is considered "definitive". This version was made famous by Shalyapin (Chaliapin) in the role of Ivan the Terrible. It was introduced to Paris in 1909 by Dyagilev under the title Ivan the Terrible, on account of the dominance of his role.