Musicology Annotation << Back Kabalevsky, opera, time Baeva Alla A. The article is dedicated to D.B. Kabalevsky’s creative work; the main attention is paid to his first opera opus – a remarkable phenomenon in Russian musical theatre of the XX century. «The Craftsman of Clamecy» and «Colas Breugnon» – these are the names of two editions of the opera, in which the characteristic tendencies of the 1930s–1960s are reflected and the features of the composer’s creative talent have been brought to life. The article raises questions related to both editions: Kabalevsky and opera; connection with classical Russian art and mastering the experience of modern compositional creativity; the peculiarities of the musical dramaturgy; the principles of the librettist and composer’s approach to the plot implementation of R. Rolland’s novel «Colas Breugnon». Keywords: D.B. Kabalevsky, Soviet opera of the 1930s – 1960s, «Colas Breugnon» («The Craftsman of Clamecy»). DOI: 10.25791/musicology.06.2020.1129 Pp. 03-08.