Русские песни в путевом дневнике И.А. Гончарова «Фрегат “Паллада”»

Abstract

In the travel diary “Frigate “Pallada”, in the chapter “On the Cape of Good Hope” I.A. Goncharov mentions many Russian songs: author’s and folk songs, romances of various artistic merit, and even an opera aria. Together with the owners of guest houses — the British — travelers sing Scottish and English romances and ballads, once they witness an African “ball”, but still it is the Russian song that accompanies Goncharov and his companions on a trip to South Africa. The article provides the texts of Russian songs that are missing in the narrative (they are only named), and their function is established. During the trip and writing the diary “Frigate “Pallada” Goncharov worked on the novel “Oblomov”, at the same time the Crimean War, tragic for Russia, was going on — these facts helped to make some interesting observations on the functionality of Russian songs. The repertoire of songs that sound during a journey through the Cape Colony of England is thoughtful, and it not only reflects the mood of travelers at one time or another, but also represents the image of Russia, responds to the military situation in the Crimea.