Dobrynya Nikitich
Dobrynya Nikitich (Russian: Добры́ня Ники́тич) is one of the most popular bogatyrs (epic knights) from the Rus' folklore. Albeit fictional, this character is based on a real warlord Dobrynya, who led the armies of Svyatoslav the Great and tutored his son Vladimir the Fair Sun.
Many byliny center on Dobrynya completing tasks set him by prince Vladimir. Dobrynya is often portrayed as being close to the royal family, undertaking sensitive and diplomatic missions. As a courtier, Dobrynya seems to be a representative of the noble class of warriors. He is a professional archer, swimmer, and wrestler. He plays the gusli, plays tafl, and is known for his courtesy and cunning.
Dobrynya and the Dragon
The bylina starts with Dobrynya's mother telling Dobryana to avoid the Saracen Mountains, to not trample on baby dragons, to not rescue Russian captives, and to not bathe in the Puchai River. Dobrynya disobeyed his mother and did all four things.
When he bathed in the Puchai River, he encountered a dragon (sometimes identified as the three-headed Zmey Gorynych). Dobrynya could not defend himself, thinking he would die. Dobrynya then discovered "a hat of the Greek land" and used it to defeat the dragon.
Dobrynya Nikitich (opera)
Dobrynya Nikitich (Op. 22) is a 1901 opera by Aleksandr Grechaninov. It is described as a "Opera-Legend" based on the bogatyr Dobrynya Nikitich. The opera opened at the Bolshoy Theatre on October 14, 1903, with Fyodor Chaliapin in the lead.
Recordings
Excerpts were recorded by the Leningrad Radio Choir and Russian balalaika orchestra 'Vasiliy Andreev' under Georgy Doniyakh in 1959, with Viktor Morozov (bass) Matvej Gavrilkin (tenor) Aleksandra Meshcheryakova (mezzo soprano) and Lyudmila Grudina (mezzo soprano).
See also
References
Dobrynya
Dobrynya (Russian: Добрыня) was Vladimir the Great's maternal uncle and tutor who was later transformed in Russian folklore into the invincible bogatyr (hero-knight) Dobrynya Nikitich.
Dobrynya's life and extent of his influence on Vladimir are shrouded in speculation and controversy. It is fairly certain that his sister Malusha was Vladimir's mother. It is also generally accepted that Dobrynya's posadnik dynasty in Novgorod was continued by his son Konstantin Dobrynich and grandson Ostromir.
According to the Novgorod chronicles, it was at his urging that Svyatoslav I sent his illegitimate son, Vladimir, to govern Novgorod, with Dobrynya as his tutor. Nine years later, Dobrynya persuaded Vladimir to wrest Kiev from his brother Yaropolk. On their way to Kiev, Yaropolk's bride, Rogneda of Polotsk, offended Dobrynya by calling his sister a "bondswoman". Dobrynya took his revenge by arranging Rogneda's rape by Vladimir.
After Vladimir's enthronment in Kiev, Dobrynya returned to rule Novgorod in his name. He accompanied his nephew in the 985 expedition against Volga Bulgaria and, following his lead, erected an idol of Perun on the bank of the Volkhov River. After the Baptism of Kiev, he is said to have forced the Novgorodians into Christianity "by fire". Vasily Tatishchev wrote that Dobrynya, along with Bishop Ioakim Korsunianin, faced a violent, pagan mob which burned Dobrynya's house and killed his wife and several other family members.
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