1. Dance of the Tumblers from The Snow Maiden
Composer: Rimsky-Korsakov
Fundamental of Music: Introduction! 

2. Important stuff as we prepare to learn!
Rimsky-Korsakov was a very proud Russian composer.
He lived in the 19th century (1844 – 1908).
The piece of music we will study and hear was his favorite composition!
The Snow Maiden is the opera he wrote, based on a play of the same name written by the awesome Russian playwright, Alexander Ostrovsky. “Dance of the Tumblers” is our selection which comes from the opera. It is sometimes referred to as the “Dance of the Clowns.”

3. We will return to your show after this brief video…

4. Rimsky-Korsakov is a Really-Kool composer!
Although we just heard a different piece of music written by him, today we are going to focus on a huge work written by Really-Kool Rimsky-Korsakov.
The Snow Maiden is an opera composed by Nikolai Rimsky- Korsakov. It has four acts (parts). Let’s see what happens!!

5. The Snow Maiden opera’s sad story…told lightning fast!
1. Snow Maiden wants to live in another village, so her parents send her there.
2. Snow Maiden is romantically drawn (ewww!) to Lel but he flirts with other girls instead (ewww!).
3. Mizgir is romantically drawn (ewww!) to Snow Maiden, but he is supposed to marry Kupava (oooooh).
4. The Tsar is going to punish Mizgir. He also sees that Snow Maiden doesn’t love anyone. He creates a plan to reward whomever can win the love of Snow Maiden.
5. The people are excited and have a celebration. 
6. Lel smooches Kupava (ewww!) and Snow Maiden is sad.
7. Mizgir tries to win the love of Snow Maiden, but she runs away, wishing she could love.
8. Snow Maiden finally changes her mind and chooses Mizgir, but when she tells everyone, she begins to MELT (oh my gosh!). Her choice to love was her downfall (in this story!).
9. Mizgir is so sad that he dies.
10. The Tsar tells the people that their incredibly long winter is over.
11. The people live happily ever after.

6. Could we please talk about something happy now?
Even though the opera definitely has some sad parts, the “Dance of the Tumblers” is representative of some of the celebration the people of the village have. Let’s listen to the instrumental music together. How do you feel while you listen? Can you picture people dancing and celebrating like clowns or tumblers?
Now, as we listen a second time, DRAW whatever you are picturing in your mind! Channel your inner tumbler!

7. Fundamentals of Music to explore…
DYNAMICS
RHYTHM
TEXTURE
TEMPO
FORM
MELODY

8. Images:
© creativecommons
StockFreeImages
“Conrack (1974) Part Two of Four” published on YouTube in by ForMoreEdits.
atch?v=8-jK3LBPgps&t=1865s