Blancanieves Rusa

Rodrigo Septién's 'Blancanieves Rusa' offers a unique and darkly humorous retelling of the classic Snow White story, set against a Russian backdrop. The song begins with a greeting to comrades, setting a tone that blends historical and cultural elements with a whimsical narrative. The story follows a Russian tsar who leaves his pregnant wife to fight in a war, only to return and find her dead from joy after giving birth to their daughter. This sets the stage for a tale filled with magic, jealousy, and revenge.

The new queen, who possesses a magical mirror, becomes obsessed with her beauty and is threatened by the growing beauty of her stepdaughter. This mirrors the original Snow White story but adds a layer of Russian folklore with the inclusion of the seven bogatyrs, who are heroic knights in Russian epic tales. The stepmother's jealousy leads her to order the death of her stepdaughter, but the girl escapes and finds refuge in a cabin protected by a colossal yet friendly dog. The seven bogatyrs, who live in the cabin, take her in, and they all live happily, albeit temporarily.

The climax of the song involves the evil queen disguising herself as a nun to deliver a poisoned apple to the princess. The princess falls into a death-like sleep, and the loyal dog sacrifices itself to warn the bogatyrs. The princess is placed in a glass coffin, and her prince, who has been searching for her, finally finds her and breaks the coffin, waking her up. The story concludes with a dramatic confrontation where the queen dies upon seeing the princess alive. The song ends on a humorous note, warning listeners about talking mirrors and the potential for madness, while also reminding them of the catchy refrain 'laira laira laila lairara.'

This retelling not only preserves the essence of the original Snow White story but also enriches it with Russian cultural elements and a modern, humorous twist. The song's playful yet dark tone makes it a captivating listen, blending fairy tale magic with historical and cultural references in a way that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.