Rimsky-Korsakov composed The Tale Of Tsar Saltan in 18981899 jointly with the librettist Vladimir Belsky on the threshold of Alexander Pushkins centenary. Premiered in 1900, it is full of kind humor and genuine folk song and dance themes. This recording of was realized by the USSR Bolshoi Theatre when its musical and performing forces were in their prime. A star-studded cast of performers are led by Vasily Nebolsin, an outstanding master of Russian opera.