Kashchey the Deathless
| Kashchey the Deathless | |
|---|---|
| Opera by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov | |
| Native title | Russian: Кащей бессмертный |
| Librettist | Rimsky-Korsakov |
| Language | Russian |
| Based on | Koschei |
| Premiere | 1902 Solodovnikov Theater in Moscow |
Kashchey the Deathless (subtitle: A Little Autumn Fairy Tale) (Russian: Кащей бессмертный, romanized: Kashchéy bessmértny ⓘ, also known as Kashchey the Immortal) is a one-act opera in three scenes by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. The libretto was written by the composer, and is based on a Russian fairy tale about Koschei the Deathless, an evil, ugly old wizard, who menaced principally young women. Rimsky-Korsakov perceived it as 'an autumn tale' that is juxtaposed to his previous 'spring tale', The Snow Maiden. A similar fairy tale was also used by Igor Stravinsky (Rimsky-Korsakov's pupil) and Michel Fokine to create their iconic ballet, The Firebird.
The opera was composed during 1901–1902 and the work was completed in 1902. It was first performed the same year in Moscow.