Resurrection captures an unusual love story between Prince Nekhlyudov (Scott Hendricks) and the serving girl Maslova (Joyce DiDonato). Though divided by class, their fates become intertwined when the Prince sits on the jury that unjustly condemns the young woman to prison. Despite a merciless justice system that does not allow for second chances, an amazing story of courage and redemption emerges.
Act 2 Scene 1, Siberian March
The prisoners are marching to Siberia through the snow. Nekhlyudov carries a petition to the Emperor which Maslova must sign. He is shocked by the brutal treatment of the prisoners, especially when he learns the nature of some of their crimes.
Libretto
ACT TWO SCENE ONE – A Vision of Hell
The Forced March
The dead of winter. It is gray and overcast and bitterly cold.
The prisoners are marching through snow. They have been marching for 6 weeks, stopping at overcrowded provincial way stations at night. Prisoners wear cloaks and have wrapped rags around their feet and shawls around their heads and shoulders in an effort to keep warm. Those too weak or sick or elderly to walk ride in carts pulled by fellow prisoners. Guards (some on horseback) patrol the perimeters of the convoy. A woman is in labor on one of the carts. We hear her terrifying moans of pain.
CHORUS: “WE MARCH” (PRISONERS)
We march.
We march.
We’re beaten men and beaten women.
Guards shout.
Dogs bark.
We march,
We march,
We march…
Ring the bells,
Bring us alms,
March to hell,
Sing us psalms.
We’re beaten men and beaten women.
We march…
Opera of the Future 