roles tsar : alto tsarevna ( i.e. , his daughter elena ) : soprano ivanushka : mezzo-soprano 1st brother of ivan : soprano 2nd brother of ivan : mezzo-soprano father of ivan : alto mother of ivan : soprano horse : alto or bass courtier , skomorokh , gusli - players , wooden stumps : chorus synopsis tableau i. in a clearing in a forest , ivan has set his horse free .