Few operas have suffered such a painful genesis as Modest Musorgsky’s Boris Godunov. Based on Alexander Pushkin’s (Eugene Onegin)’s play about the early modern tsar, its naturalistic initial form was rejected for its lack of strong female roles. The composer then created a second, more romantic edition, which has come to become the standard edition performed in modern revivals. For this production, directed by the masterful Richard Jones (Il trittico), Covent Garden will resound with the thunderous music of the composer’s initial rendition, praised by Rimsky-Korsakov (Scheherazade) for its “freshness and originality.”
Around the turn of the seventeenth century, Boris Godunov led Russia during a time of succession crisis. When the three-year old heir Dmitri was murdered and his brother died without issue, Boris came to prove himself a popular, reforming leader. His reign, however, was wracked with suspicion about his involvement in Dmitri’s murder, and after his own death Russia was plunged into a decade of civil war, sparked by three successive rebels claiming to be the slain child.

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Musorgsky’s opera is a highly intelligent portrayal of the psychology of power and the tides of history, alternating grandiose paegentry with intimate family drama. The music, which relies on brass and percussion to a degree hitherto unseen on the operatic stage, was revolutionary. Although some contemporaries found in crude – Tchaikovsky even called it “the most vulgar and vile parody on music” – it has since been regarded as a masterpiece for its bold, forceful style.
Boris Godunov might be the ultimate showcase for a bass-baritone singer, which makes the prospect of Welsh master Bryn Terfel (Fiddler on the Roof, The Ring) taking the lead a tantalizing prospect. He will be joined by a huge cast, including Jette Parker Young Artist Vlada Borovko, the globetrotting Kostas Smoriginas and the diversely talented John Graham-Hall. Music Director Antonio Pappano conducts the orchestra in what looks to be a highlight of the Royal Opera’s 2015/16 season.

What	Boris Godunov, Royal Opera House
Where	Royal Opera House, Bow Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 9DD \| MAP
Nearest tube	Covent Garden (underground)
When	14 Mar 16 – 05 Apr 16, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Price	£180-240
Website	Click here to book via the Royal Opera House