The action takes place in St Petersburg at the close of the 18
th century
SYNOPSIS
ACT I
Scene One
The
Summer Garden in springtime. Two officers, Chekalinsky and Surin, are
concerned about the fortunes of their friend Herman, who visits
gambling halls every evening, despite the fact that he does not play
because he is so poor. Herman turns up, accompanied by Count Tomsky, to
whom he explains the reason for his strange behaviour: he is in love
with a girl to whom he has not yet been introduced, and wants to win a
large sum of money in order to marry her ("I do not know her name").
Chekalinsky and Surin congratulate the Grand Duke Eletsky on his
forthcoming marriage. An old countess is walking in the garden with the
very girl whom Herman loves. Upon finding out that she is the Grand
Duke´s fiancée, he is deeply shaken. The women are frightened by his
appearance ("I´m frightened"). Tomsky tells the story of the old
Countess´ past in Paris. Count St Germain showed her three winning
cards. The officers laugh at Herman, and advise him to tempt fate while
Herman vows to fight for his love.
Scene Two
Lisa´s
room. She is singing with her friend Polina ("Oh, what an evening").
Left alone, Lisa reveals her feelings: the Grand Duke loves her, but
she cannot forget the passionate gaze of the stranger in the garden
("Where are these tears from?" "Oh, listen, oh, night"). As if he had
heard her calling, Herman appears on the balcony. He threatens to kill
himself because Lisa is promised to another, and tells her that no one
loves her as passionately as he does ("Forgive me, heavenly creature").
The Countess enters, and Lisa hides the love-struck Herman. Like a man
possessed, Herman starts to search for the three cards. Having been
with Lisa, he realises he is happy only when he is with her.
ACT II
Scene Three
A
masquerade at the home of a high official. Yeletsky assures Lisa of his
love ("I love thee"). Herman continues to be haunted by thoughts of the
three cards. A musical intermezzo-pastorale begins ("My dear little
friend"). After it ends, Lisa gives Herman a key to a secret door by
which he can enter her room.
Scene Four
The
Countess´ bedroom. It is night. Above the fireplace there is a portrait
of the Countess in her youth dressed up as the Queen of Spades. Herman
carefully enters the room. He vows to wrest the secret out of the old
woman, even if Hell awaits him. Footsteps are heard, and Herman hides.
Servants enter, and then the Countess, who starts getting ready for
bed. Having sent the servants away, the Countess falls asleep in her
chair. Suddenly, Herman appears before her ("Don´t be frightened! For
God´s sake, don´t be frightened!"). On his knees, he begs her to name
the three cards. The Countess, having risen from her chair, is silent.
Then Herman points his pistol at her. The old woman falls. Herman sees
that she is dead.
ACT III
Scene Five
Herman´s
room at the barracks. Lisa has written to him to say that she is ready
to forgive him, but Herman´s thoughts are elsewhere. He remembers the
Countess´ funeral ("All the same thoughts, the same nightmare"). The
ghost of the Countess appears before him. Out of love for Lisa, she
names the three magic cards for him: a Three, a Seven and an Ace.
Scene Six
On
the banks of the Winter Canal, Lisa waits for Herman ("Ah! I´m worn
out, I´m tired"). From his words she understands that he is responsible
for the Countess´ death, and that he has gone out of his mind. She
wants to take him away with her, but he pushes her aside and runs away
(the duet "Oh, yes, the sufferings are over"). Lisa throws herself into
the river.
Scene Seven
A gambling hall.
Tomsky is surprised to find Eletsky, who is looking for Herman in order
to exact revenge from him. The newly arrived Herman enters the game.
Herman celebrates his victory ("What is our life, but a game!"). His
winning streak strikes fear into everyone´s hearts. Yeletsky enters the
game. Herman bets all of his winnings on the third card, but instead of
an Ace, his hand comes up with the Queen of Spades. A shocked Herman
sees the ghost of the Countess. She waits for his death. Herman dies
his last thought of Lisa.
