Boris Godunow – more than just an opera, it is a true and great folk drama. Those who enjoy resounding chorus parts, folk songs, and great human drama, will never find them represented any better than here, in this opera. Folk songs and choir? It would be easy to draw the wrong conclusions! The folk songs here echo the sound of real Russian countrymen, not the swaying, folksy, traditional songs with which we are familiar. With the exception of Wagner’s musical dramas, “Boris Godunow” is perhaps the most influential opera of its century – a veritable cult piece! The entire French music development would have taken quite a different turn had this work not existed. On our stage the work – in its homeland, placed on a Russian national pedestal – will be performed by an entirely Russian cast under the musical direction of Valery Gergiev.

Valery Gergiev Musical Direction
Graham Vick Director
Costumes / Stage design
Mariinsky Theatre St. Petersburg Soloists, Choir and Orchestra

Modest Mussorgsky
Boris Godunow CLARIFY VERSION

“Musical folk drama” based on motives from the drama of the same name by Alexander Pushkin. Venue of premiere performance: Mariinsky Theatre St. Petersburg

Finishing time approx.: 9.30 pm