Act I
The Ural master stone-cutter Danila dreams of creating a malachite bowl of unprecedented beauty – to embody in stone the grace of a living flower.
In the village Danila and Katerina’s engagement is being celebrated. An uninvited guest arrives – Severyan, the landowner’s steward, demanding the malachite bowl he commissioned from Danila. Dissatisfied with his own work, the craftsman refuses to hand it over. Enraged by such defiance, the steward raises his whip, but Katerina steps between him and Danila. Forgetting the bowl, Severyan turns his attention to the girl and tries to embrace her.
All depart. Danila remains alone with his thoughts. From the old masters he knows that the Mistress of the Copper Mountain possesses the secret of the stone and guards the underground treasures. Until he learns this secret, he will know no peace.
The Mistress appears before him – now as a lizard, now as a “malachite maiden” – and vanishes again. Looking at his bowl, Danila sees how imperfect it is. In despair he shatters it and follows the vision.
She draws him into her realm, where the stones come alive before his eyes: gemstones shimmer and glisten, and the stone flower – Danila’s dream – blossoms.
Act II
The Mistress reveals ever more of the secrets of her realm to Danila. She has fallen in love with the gifted craftsman and does not wish to lose him. She resolves to keep him in her domain forever.
Meanwhile, Katerina grows sorrowful as she waits for her betrothed, who has been absent for several days. Severyan mocks her – “neither bride nor wife” – and tries to win her by force. Katerina drives him away and resolves to search for Danila.
In her search she arrives at a fair and again encounters Severyan and his companions among the gypsies. He tries to take her with him, but the crowd defends her. Katerina escapes.
A mysterious woman appears before Severyan and fixes him with her gaze. Unable to move, he struggles free and runs after her as she lures him farther and farther away. Only upon reaching Snake Hill does he realise that she is the Mistress of the Copper Mountain. He begs for mercy, but she remains unyielding – and he sinks into the earth.
Act III
In a remote forest the Dancing Fire Maid (Ognevushka-Poskakushka) appears before Katerina and leads her to Snake Hill.
Danila has fulfilled his dream: he has created a perfect bowl, mastered the power of stone, and grasped the secret of his craft. He now wishes to return to the world and share this beauty with people.
But the Mistress cannot let him go – she loves him. To keep him, she enchants him, and Danila becomes motionless, like stone.
Katerina reaches the Mistress’ domain and begs for Danila to be returned. Her love, fidelity and courage move the Mistress. Though it pains her to part with him, she releases the master.
Katerina and Danila return to the world of people.
