Rimsky-Korsakov died of angina pectoris on June 8th, 1908 at Lioubensk, near St. Petersburg, where he was spending the summer with his family. In the previous year he had finished his last opera _The Golden Cock_, the production of which was not sanctioned by the Censor during the composer's lifetime. It is said that this vexation, following upon his difficulties with the authorities of the Conservatoire, helped to hasten his end. _The Golden Cock_ is composed to a libretto by V. Bielsky, based upon Poushkin's well-known poem. The author of the book says in his preface to the opera: "the purely human nature of Poushkin's _Golden Cock_--that instructive tragi-comedy of the unhappy consequences following upon mortal passions and weaknesses--permits us to place the plot in any region and in any period." In spite of the Eastern origin of the tale, and the Italian names, Duodo and Guidone, all which constitutes the historical character of the story and recalls the simple customs and the daily life of the Russian people, with its crude, strong colouring, its exuberance and liberty, so dear to the artist. The work opens with a Prologue, in which the Astrologer tells us that although the opera is "A fairy-tale, not solid truth, It holds a moral good for youth." In the first scene we are introduced to a hall in the Palace of King Dodon, where he is holding a council with his Boyards. He tells them that he is weary of kingly responsibilities and especially of the perpetual warfare with his hostile neighbours, and that he longs to rest for a while. First he asks the advice of his heir, Prince Gvidon, who says that instead of fighting on the frontier he should withdraw his troops and let them surround the capital, which should first be well provisioned. Then, while the enemy was destroying the rest of the country, the King might repose and think of some new way of circumventing him. But the old Voyevode Polkan does not approve of the project, for he thinks it will be worse to have the hostile army surrounding the city, and perhaps attacking the King himself. Nor does he agree with the equally foolish advice of the King's younger son Aphron. Very soon the whole assembly is quarrelling as to the best way out of the difficulty, when the Astrologer arrives upon the scene. He offers King Dodon a present of a Golden Cock which would always give warning in case of danger. At first the King does not believe him, but the cock is brought in and cries at once: "Kikeriki, kikerikou! Be on your guard, mind what you do!" The King is enchanted and feels that he can now take his ease. He offers to give the Astrologer whatever reward he asks. The latter replies that he does not want treasures or honours, but a diploma drawn up in legal form. "Legal," says the King, "I don't know what you mean. My desires and caprices are the only laws here; but you may rest assured of my gratitude." Dodon's bed is brought in, and