PROLOGUE

In the ancient Russian town of Putivl, Prince Igor together with his son Vladimir and the prince’s armed force of warriors is getting ready for a campaign against the nomadic Polovtsians. Igor is consulting the warriors. People greet Igor and other princes and warriors and wish them victory.
It suddenly gets dark — a solar eclipse begins. The people and boyars regard this as an ill omen and advise Prince Igor to put off the campaign. But Prince Igor is unbending. He is sure that his cause is right — he is going to defend his native Russia. It’s his duty and the duty of all the Russian warriors. Two warriors, Skula and Yeroshka, secretly leave Prince Igor’s army. The prince’s wife Yaroslavna begs him not to go. He says goodbye to his, tenderly consoles her and assures her that she need not worry about him and should await his victorious return. He entrusts Yaroslavna to the care of her brother, Prince Vladimir of Galich, whom he leaves as his deputy in Putivl during his absence. After blessing, Prince Igor and his detachment set off for the campaign.

ACT I

Scene 1

The Prince of Galich is feasting at a lavishly laid table, with his servants led by Skula and Yeroshka carousing nearby. The Prince loves to hang out and is eager to extend his power. He wants to become the Prince of Putivl by dethroning Prince Igor.
Agitated maidens run into the courtyard. They beg the Prince of Galich to liberate their girl-friend who was placed by warriors in the terem palace for amusement. But the prince drives the maidens out to the laughter of the drunken crowd.
Skula and Yeroshka, together with the warriors, whose boldness grows after drinking, conspire a mutiny: ‘We shall depose Igor and elevate Vladimir to the throne! What are we to be afraid of?’

Scene 2

Yaroslavna feels uneasy: she has had no news from the prince for a long time. Troublesome dreams and bad presentiments do not leave her.
The girls driven out by the prince from the courtyard suddenly arrive and distract Yaroslavna from her sad thoughts. The girls implore the princess to defend them from their abuser. Yaroslavna accuses her brother of treason, but she cannot deal with him. Called by the princess to answer, the Prince of Galich conducts himself impertinently, threatening her and Prince Igor.
The boyars come in and announce that Igor’s army has been defeated and the prince himself imprisoned. The Russian princes wallow in dissent, while hordes of the Polovtsians are coming to Russia. The alarm bell is heard — the Polovtsians are approaching Putivl.

ACT II

Scene 3

Captive prince Igor languishes in the Polovtsian camp. The Polovtsian maidens are trying to amuse Konchakovna, the daughter of Khan Konchak, with songs and dances. Her thoughts are concentrated on the captive youth — Prince Igor’s son Vladimir. Konchakovna impatiently waits to see him. They meet and confide in love to each other. They dream of happiness together.
Prince Igor cannot fall asleep. He is oppressed by dark thoughts. It is not easy to overcome the shame of defeat and captivity and no less difficult to accustom himself to the thought of his native land being enslaved. Igor passionately yearns for freedom in order to liberate Russia. He tenderly recalls his beloved wife Yaroslavna. Suddenly Ovlur, a baptized Polovtsian, comes to him. He offers Igor help to escape. But Prince Igor refuses — the Russian king ought not to run away stealthily.
The Polovtsian Khan Konchak bestows Igor with high honours. He promises to free him if he promises never to raise his sword against the Polovtsians. The pride and valour of the Russian prince delight Konchak.
On the khan’s orders, the captive women and warriors entertain Igor to dispel his gloomy thoughts by their dances glorifying the mighty Konchak.

Scene 4

Yaroslavna, on losing any hope for Igor’s return, laments for him. Addressing the wind, the sun and the River Dnieper, she awaits an answer about Igor.
Suddenly the princess notices two horsemen in the distance — Prince Igor and Ovlur. So her husband has returned at last!
The drunken Skula and Yeroshka, in order to evade severe punishment, Skula suggests to Yeroshka to be the first on the bell-tower and strike the bell announcing the prince’s arrival. On hearing the sounds of the bell people run to the square, they greet Prince Igor.