Pushkin folk tale as comedic opera whose sultry elements expand an Oriental influence. Korsakov portrays the story of Tsar Nicholas II, punished for his cowardice and despotism, using satire to condemn Russia's autocratic ruler.

• Opéra de Lyon
• Dmitry Ulianov
• Nina Minasyan
• Andrey Popov
• Margarita Nekrasova
• Mischa Schelomianski
• Vasily Efimov
• Wilfried Gonon
• Maria Nazarova