A. Rybnikov "JUNO AND AVOS"

During a church service, the Fool tells of the people’s heavy lot, their deprivation and suffering.

I action

The acting Count Chamberlain Rezanov asks permission to organise the first expedition to the shores of America on two ships – “Juno” and “Avos”. He thinks that this will establish the trade and political relationship between two countries, which shall aid Russia’s prosperity. Rezanov mourns his wife’s death. He prays to the icon of the Virgin Mary. He dreams that she comes to life – the Virgin Mary materialises as a woman and consoles him.

 

Unexpected news arrives: the expedition to America has been approved. Rezanov assembles a team of sailors and sets sail, joined by The Fool. He protects the Count on the difficult and dangerous journey, and helps him in his hour of need. Overcoming the hardship, the pioneers reach the shores of California. The Governor of San Francisco throws a ball in the honour of the Russian gests. The count meets Conchita, the Governor’s daughter, at the ball. He is dazed by her beauty and charm. She reminds him of the vision of the Virgin Mary come alive.

 

Conchita is alone. She has fallen in love with the Russian sailor, who has danced with her. During her prayers, Rezanov appears. He swears his eternal love to her. Conchita and Rezanov are happy.

 

II action

The difference in religion becomes an insurmountable obstacle between the lovers. Rezanov decides to sail to Russia to receive an approval of marriage to a catholic woman. The lovers bid each other farewell. Rezanov dies on his way to St. Petersburg. During the last moments of his life he thinks of his beloved, whose image merges with the heavenly figure of the Virgin Mary – the symbol of light, purity, kindness. The sailors grieve their captain’s death. Conchita is waiting for her loved one. Years, decades pass by in vain hope… She dies, never learning of Rezanov’s death.

 

III action

Epilogue

The lovers die, but their love and faithfulness are immortal.

 

Historical reference

Resanov Nickolas Petrovich (1764 - 1807)

is an outstanding traveler and statesman, one of the founders of the Russian – American commercial company. He is from the nobleman’s family in the province of Smolensk. He served as a lieutenant in the Life – Guards of the Izmailov regiment. Then he took the position of the chief – secretary of the civil department and the manager of the main directorate of the Russian – American company. In 1806 he traveled to California where he contributed to arranging the commercial ties between the Russian – American company and the Spanish colonists. On his way to Russia he dies in Krasnoyarsk. “JUNO” and “AVOS” are the names of the ships on which Resanov made a sea voyage.