The 1830s were the epoch of the praisal chants. The 1812 War against Napoleon Army, 1825 Decembrist Revolt, revival of the orthodox idea and great personality of Emperor Nicholas I who managed to unite Russian people in times of uncertainty provided for a perfect historic background that allowed the Russians to shape their orthodox ideal of the Motherland. Standing at the
Glinka’s opera ‘Ivan Susanin’ saw light in 1836. The premier was attended by Emperor Nicholas I and the whole Petersburg society. Permeated with Russian folk melodic idioms and strong patriotic spirit, the music took the audiences away from the very first sound. It wasn’t just an opera, it seemed like an orthodox mass praising the Russian patriotism, or even an anthem. The audiences were struck by music that portrayed three pillars of the Russian statehood — orthodoxy, autocracy and folk origins — in the most sensible manner, as Russian people saw it. The sacrifice made by Ivan Sunanin was proving that Russian people were standing by their tsar and not by the foreigners. It wasn’t hard to draw parallels. Finally the idea of orthodox patriotism had reached its upper point, with the opera’s epilogue being a perfect example of the praising chant dedicated to the glorious Romanovs. Inspired by the church chorales and vivat chants of the Peter the Great epoch, ‘Glory, Glory to you, holy Rus'!’ composition struck the audiences by its strong spirit of patriotism embodied in a Russian opera.
The original Russian libretto, based on historical events, was written by Egor (von) Rozen based on the idea suggested by Vasily Zhukovsky. It was the first opera composed fully in Russian, with an ordinary Russian peasant being the leading hero.
Perturbed by the outcome Mikhail Glinka sought to remain unnoticed. But there was no need worrying, as success was tremendous.
After the premier Emperor Nicholas I invited Glinka to his box. Expressing his appreciation for this great work, Emperor suggested Glinka another title for the opera — ‘A Life for the Tsar’. Besides he awarded the composer a gem ring that Glinka carefully kept throughout his life.
At intermission the excited audiences sought to find the composer and express him their appreciation. Failing to find Glinka they encircled Alexander Pushkin with the words “Dear Alexander Sergeevich, you instead and for Glinka will have to receive our sincerest congratulations…” “It’s a pleasure to me to witness the triumph of the genuine Russian opera”, answered the poet smiling.
‘Glory to You, Russian Tsar’ chorale became the unofficial dynasty anthem of Russia. Since Glinka had delayed the premier of his opera, the chorale couldn’t be adopted as the official chant, as the spot had already been occupied by Lvov’s ‘God, Save the Tsar’ anthem. This move came three years before the opera’s premier. Nevertheless, this perfect combination of the beautiful tune with the powerful patriotic lyrics became popular from the Tsar to a simple peasant.
Up to the 20th century the ‘Glory to You, Russian Tsar’ chorale was frequently performed along with the ‘God, Save the Tsar’ official anthem.
Since late 19th century manifold tried to use Glinka’s chant for different purposes. One tried to praise the ‘freedom of labour’, other — the ‘people of Russia’. Thus, the chorale managed to overcome the 1917 Rubicon. Following the October Revolution Glinka’s composition was sung both by the Reds and the Whites, with lyrics being the only difference. Glinka’s praising chant was very popular in the USSR especially in the 1930s when ‘Ivanin Sunanin’ opera gained new texts elaborated by Gorodetsky who drastically changed the idea of Susanin’s sacrifice. Makarov’s version of the chant was frequently performed as the solemn march. On Victory Parade of June 24, 1945 the combined military band featuring 1400 musicians and led by Major General Semyon Chernetskiy stepped in the middle of Red Square and ‘Be Glorious, Russian People’ struck up. Even today the glorious Glinka’s praising chant is being performed to honor the most important dates and occasions.