On the picturesque banks of the Vorskla River, amid the white houses, lies a cosy Poltavian village. Here lives Natalka, a beautiful and honest girl, known for her hard work and kind heart. Despite her beauty and sincerity, her heart is filled with sorrow: it has been four years since her beloved, orphan Petro, left home looking for work so that he could return and marry Natalka. Fate has pulled them apart, but the girl does not lose hope. Her thoughts drift into the past, to their happy days together.
Suddenly, Natalka’s serenity is disturbed by the wealthy old bailiff Tetervakovskiy. He has long had feelings for the girl and finally found the courage to propose to her. Although the bailiff’s refined, sweet talk, sprinkled with artificial compliments and office slang, promises her wealth and a carefree life, Natalka does not succumb to this flattery. She politely but firmly refuses, because her heart belongs to another.
The bailiff, not planning on giving up, asks a local deputy Makogonenko, a cunning and resourceful man, for help. He replies that Natalka refuses all the suitors because she loves Petro, an orphan her parents once welcomed into their home. But after the death of Natalka’s father, their family became poor, and together with her mother, they were left alone in the world.
Makogonenko, realising that Natalka’s mother, the widow Terpylykha, is afraid of poverty, convinces her that marriage to a rich man is the only hope for her daughter. Terpylykha listens to the deputy, and eventually takes the side of the bailiff. Natalka is in despair: she does not love this man, still, she would not like to upset her mother. In the end, for the sake of her mother’s peace of mind, Natalka agrees to this unequal marriage, although deep down in her heart, there is still hope for Petro’s return.
Petro appears in the village. After a long time away, he returns to marry his beloved.
On the way, he meets Mykola, a simple, kind-hearted guy, who tells him disturbing news: Natalka is marrying the bailiff. This news is astonishing, but Petro refuses to believe his beloved could have betrayed him.
Meanwhile, the elders have gathered in Terpylykha’s house for the traditional matchmaking ceremony. The deputy and the bailiff are joyfully waiting for the rushniks. Terpylykha sighs with relief, and Natalka stands sad and devastated.
Mykola decides to help Petro meet Natalka. When they finally meet, the girl, full of love for him, can no longer hold her feelings. Natalka confesses to Petro that she only loves him, but has yielded to fate to please her mother.
In despair, Petro says that he “loves Natalka more than himself”, but does not want any misfortune for her and her mother. He gives her all the money he has earned so that Natalka can marry the bailiff without any reproach in poverty.
This noble act impresses everyone and moves Terpylykha. She finally realises that her daughter’s true happiness lies not in wealth but in love. Although the bailiff is unhappy about losing his bride, he acts nobly. He retracts his proposal and sincerely wishes Natalka and Petro a happy life together.
The village rejoices and sings. Finally, Natalka and Petro can be together. Their sincere love overcomes all obstacles, reminding us that true feelings are a blessing stronger than any material goods.
Opera in two acts Libretto by Mykhaylo Staritskiy, based on the play of the same name by Ivan Kotliarevskiy