repertoire of the world-famous Alexandrov Ensemble since 2004. Instrumentation The opera is scored for two flutes, two oboes (second oboe doubling cor anglais), two clarinets (in B flat and A), two bassoons, four horns, two clarino natural trumpets, three trombones, ophicleide, timpani, bells, harp, strings, as well as two offstage wind bands or concert bands, offstage clarinet in A, offstage chromatic (valved) trumpet, offstage drum, offstage bells. Some pieces are also scored for full orchestra, including the dance segments. The finale piece, another popular composition played in patriotic concerts and other events, can be also arranged for a full military band or concert band with the bells and chromatic trumpets and also for the Balalaika and the Bayan accordion, as heard in several cover versions. Recordings Source: operadis-opera-discography.org.uk References Sources Annesley, Charles (pseudonym of Charles and Anna Tittmann) (1920). The Standard Operaglass: Detailed Plots of Two Hundred and Thirty-Five Celebrated Operas. Brentanos Hodge, Thomas P. (1998). "Susanin, Two Glinkas and Ryleev: History-Making in A Life for the Tsar" in Wachtel, Andrew ed. Intersections and Transpositions: Russian Music, Literature, and Society. Northwestern University Press. Osborne, Charles (2007). The Opera Lover's Companion. Yale University Press. External links A digitized LP of the Danon recording featuring scans of the libretto in Russian and English 1836 operas Operas set in the 17th century Operas by Mikhail Glinka Russian-language operas Operas Polish–Russian wars Operas set in Russia Operas set in Poland Opera world premieres at the Bolshoi Theatre, Saint Petersburg