In 1977 Indiana University staged an English language production of Rimsky-Korsakov’s opera Christmas Eve, which was video taped and then broadcast on PBS in 1978. Not only did I watch that broadcast and was enthralled by it, but I managed to record the audio (not yet having a videocassette recorder), and it’s that audio tape (supplemented by a couple of old Russian language performances on CD that I picked up in the intervening years) that formed the basis for my Christmas Eve tradition of listening to Rimsky’s opera on or around the holiday.

I watched that performance, by the way, knowing nothing about the opera, only having heard the orchestral suite a few times, but the cast performed the English language translation clearly enough that I was able to understand enough of the words to follow the plot (which got fairly involved at a few places) without a problem.

Once YouTube became I thing, I began scouring it, hoping that some kind soul who did have a videocassette recorder back in the 70s might have uploaded the video of that broadcast but to no avail, so I finally must have given up. Because I didn’t notice that a fellow named Lyle Neff did, in fact, upload it two years ago. But last evening, quite by accident, I discovered it, and I spent Christmas Eve watching that magical performance by that mostly student cast.

And I was amazed at the quality of the video. Sure it’s mono sound and sure it’s from a videocassette from 40 years ago, but it was good enough to once again follow along and thoroughly enjoy the entire performance.

Now there’s a curious thing about this opera. It almost always leaves me in tears. But not at the point where you might think, where the boy and girl get back together. No, it’s shortly after that.

There is a silent character who is seen throughout the opera, the opening brief synopsis refers to him as Rudi the storyteller, and he has a large notebook where he is apparently jotting down his observations about what he sees everyone doing. Then at the end, after the blacksmith Vakula has flown to St. Petersburg on the back of the devil and obtained the cheriviki (slippers) from Catherine the Great for Oksanna, the village people ask him where he has been.

But instead of answering them directly, Vakula sings, “Did I go or did I not go, Did I see her, you shall not know.” He then says he will tell his story to Rudi who “with his golden thread he’ll weave, weave a tale of Christmas Eve.” 

So the opera we have just seen is really a tale spun by Rudi the storyteller. As was Gogol’s original story (though I think the storyteller has a different name in Gogol).

Anyway, that’s when my tears start flowing, and I’m not sure why.

I’m embedding the video here and queuing it at the point after Vakula has returned. Oksanna had been worried that Vakula had killed himself, so she has learned her lesson, and her father has reluctantly agreed to bless their union. (But if you want to rewind and watch the whole thing, be my guest. It makes great seasonal viewing.)

And finally, I’m adding a direct link to the YouTube video: Christmas Eve in English

Lyle Neff uploaded the video two years ago and so far he hasn’t received too much gratitude for doing so. In the spirit of the season perhaps you could visit that page and show Mr. Neff some love. Maybe click on the Like button. Or even leave a comment. Just a “Thanks for uploading this” would do. Or even a “Merry Christmas”. Thanks!