Show Synopsis:
Ivan disguises himself and offers to help a stranger find his way right before Russian soldiers take Temrouk's daughter Marie away with them. Temrouk chooses Igor, Marie's brother, to avenge the kidnapping. At their banquet, Ivan goes to pick a fiance from a line of beautiful girls and wants Marie, but Marie puts herself under Ivan's sister Olga's religious protection. Yorloff is angry that Ivan did not choose his daughter to be his bride, and when he finds out that Igor is avenging a kidnapping by the Russians, they join forces with Temrouk to plan an assassination of Ivan. Marie realizes she has fallen in love with Ivan and tells Igor to not kill him, but Ivan condemns them both for treachery as the Kremlin is set on fire. Yorloff proclaimes himself regent, since Ivan has been shaken by the events at the Kremlin, but Ivan comes in and exposes Yorloff's plot. He remains tsar and the court sings nuptial praises to Ivan and Marie.	

Character:
A Young Bulgarian Soldier.

Song Context:
Ivan asks the Young Bulgarian to sing about his homeland in recognition of his victory over the Tartars.

Fun Facts:
1. The plot for this opera was loosely based on the figure and life of Ivan The Terrible, Ivan IV Vasilyevich, who served as Grand Prince of Moscow and later Tsar of All The Russians. 
2. When Bizet composed this opera, he took melodies that he used in earlier pieces - this song is taken from Vasco de Gama. 
3. This song was also used on the The Frank Sinatra Timex Show: The To Ladies and the musical movie Smilin' Through.