In 1899, whilst he was still under the influence of his teacher Rimsky-Korsakov, Nikolai Tcherepnin composed the music to Edmond Rostand’s play La Princesse Lointaine, the prelude of which is often played as a concert overture. On the enchanting coasts of Provence, and under its bright blue skies, an echo bears from east to west news of a lady divinely beautiful, the pearl of Byzantium, the famous Princess Melisande. A young troubadour, Prince Geoffroy, hears of the beautiful princess. She...