be Igor and Ovlur. The two lovers sing of their joy of being reunited and of the expectation that Igor will lead the Russians to victory against the Khan. Unaware of Igor's return, Skula and Yeroshka, the drunken gudok players, sing a song that mocks him. Then they notice him in the distance. After a moment of panic about what will happen to them, Skula says that they should rely on their cunning and decides on a plan that will save them. They ring the church bells to summon a crowd. Although people at first treat them with suspicion, the gudok players manage to convince the crowd that Igor has returned and the boyars that they are loyal followers of the true prince and not Galitsky. All joyously celebrate Igor's return. Principal arias and numbers Overture Prologue Chorus: "Glory to the beautiful Sun", «Солнцу красному слава!» (People of Putivl) Chorus: "Glory to the multitude of stars", «Частым звёздочкам слава!» (People of Putivl) Act 1 Song: "If only I had the honor", «Только б мне дождаться чести» (Galitsky) Arioso: "A long time has passed", «Немало времени прошло с тех пор» (Yaroslavna) Act 2 Dance: "Dance of the Polovtsian Maidens", «Пляска половецких девушек» (Orchestra) Cavatina: "The light of day fades", «Меркнет свет дневной» (Konchakovna) Cavatina: "Slowly the day died away", «Медленно день угасал» (Vladimir) Duet: "Is that you, my Vladimir?", «Ты ли, Владимир мой?» (Konchakovna, Vladimir) Aria: "No sleep, no rest for my tormented soul", «Ни сна, ни отдыха измученной душе» (Igor) Aria: "Are you well, Prince?", «Здоров ли, князь?» (Konchak) Polovtsian Dances: "Fly away on the wings of the wind", «Улетай на крыльях ветра» (Slaves, Konchak) Act 3 March: "Polovtsian March", «Половецкий марш» (Orchestra) Trio: "Vladimir! Is all this really true?", «Владимир! Ужель все это правда?» (Konchakovna, Vladimir, Igor) Act 4 Aria: "Oh, I weep", «Ах, плачу я» (Yaroslavna) Chorus: "God heard our prayers", «Знать, господь мольбы услышал» (People of Putivl) Both the Overture to Prince Igor and the "Polovtsian Dances" (from Act II) are well-known concert standards. Together with the "Polovtsian March", they form the so-called "suite" from the opera. Critical analysis Prince Igor is a staple of Russian opera, but has not travelled well abroad. One obvious reason is the Russian language, although translation into Italian was once a solution. Another explanation for the failure to gain acceptance is its lack of unity resulting from its unfinished state. Despite