Cheerful and mischievous lad Gritsko offers young Parasya his hand and his heart on the first day of the fair in Sorochyntsi. The girl's father, Cherevik, presents no objection – her stepmother, however, is furious, and refuses to recognise their relationship; Cherevik drunkenly relents. Gritsko alone bemoans his sadness, whereupon a gypsy presents him a deal – Gritsko will sell his oxen to the gypsy if the latter can successfully make Parasya's parents accept their union.

Valentyna Ivashova
Parasia
Oleksandr Korotkevych
Hrytsko
Anton Dunaiskyi
Solopii Cherevyk

Varvara Chaika
Khyvria
Frants Glovatskyi
Tsybulia

Tetiana Barysheva
Kuma
A. Bizev
gypsy
Vitalii Perezhohin
Afanasii Ivanovych
Nadiia Mykhailova
gypsy (singing)
Oleksandra Kononova
gypsy (dancing)
Andrii Nastenko
Tsybulko
Dmytro Kapka
barker, devil, schoolboy, old man