Sharabar K. Cossack Myth in Mykola Lysenko’s works

A versatile research of Mykola Lysenko’s compositions from the perspective of their reflecting the Cossack myth in the historical and cultural context of the 19th century is conducted; the analysis of M. Lysenko’s works (in their ideological and thematic, heroic and personal aspects)glorifying the historical events of the Cossack era is completed; verbal markers – mythologemes of the Cossack world – in M. Lysenko’s compositions, as well as folklore musical models at the level of music and rhythm are revealed and analyzed; genre and style folklore peculiarities of the Cossack myth reflected by the composer are summarized; comprehensive analysis of M. Gogol’s story “Taras Bulba” and the same opera by M. Lysenko is conducted; M. Lysenko’s role in shaping modern national identity is stated. The author summarizes scientific data on myth and mythological consciousness; peculiarities of interpretation of the Cossack history and its popularization by Ukrainian Romanticists of the 19 th century; gradual accumulation of Cossack folklore material, determination of its historical priorities, the attitude of the collected volumes compliers’ attitude towards Cossack folklore sources (based on the analysis of research and critique literature and collected volumes of Ukrainian traditional songs and ballads of the 19th century). The author suggests her own interpretation of the notion of the Cossack myth in the context of musical culture. The Cossack Myth is an important component of Ukrainian national identity, which acts as an instrument of shaping modern identity of the nation and creating modern version of history, emphasizing high moral values – patriotism, heroism, altruism, sacrifice, martial courage etc.