Details

Based on Pushkin's The Comedy of the Distress of the Muscovite State, of Tsar Boris and of Grishka Otrepiev - there are several version developed by Mussorsky over a number of years. Set in Russia and Poland between 1598 and 1605. Boris is 'persuaded' to accept the crown after murdering the true heir. A young monk pretends to be the murdered heir in order to avenge the death and there is a swell amongst the people in his favour. In the end Boris dies. Sung in Russian with English surtitles.

Cast/Performers

Bryn Terfel (Boris Godunov), Vlada Borovko (Xenia), Sarah Pring (Xenia's Nurse), John Graham-Hall (Prince Shuisky), Kostas Smoriginas (Andrei Shchelkalov), Ain Anger (Pimen), David Butt Phillip (Grigory), John Tomlinson (Varlaam), Harry Nicoll (Missail), Rebecca de Pont Davies (Innkeeper), Andrew Tortise (Simpleton), Jeremy White (Nikitich), Adrian Clarke (Mityukha), James Platt (Zaretsky), Nicholas Sales (Boyar)

Creatives/Company

Author: Mussorsky
Producer(s): Royal Opera House, Deutsche Oper Berlin
Conductor: Antonio Pappano
Director: Richard Jones
Design: Miriam Buether
Costume: Nicky Gillibrand
Lighting: Mimi Jordan Sherin
Choreographer: Ben Wright
Company(s): Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Royal Opera Chorus