"I regard the people as a great being, inspired by a single idea. This is my problem. I strove to solve it in this opera."

—Modest Mussorgsky, manuscript dedication, 21 Jan 1874

Boris Godunov (Russian: Борис Годунов, original orthography Борисъ Годуновъ, Borís Godunóv) is an opera by Modest Mussorgsky (1839 – 1881). The work was composed between 1868 and 1874, in St. Petersburg, Russia. It is Mussorgsky's only completed opera and is considered his masterpiece. Its subject is the Russian ruler Boris Godunov, who reigned as Tsar from 1598 to 1605. The libretto was written by the composer, and is based on the drama of the same name by Aleksandr Pushkin, and on Nikolay Karamzin's History of the Russian State. The composer created two distinct versions. The Original Version of 1869 was not approved for production. Mussorgsky completed a Revised Version in 1872, and this version eventually received its first performance in 1874. The music is written in a uniquely Russian style, drawing on the composer's knowledge of Russian folk music, and rejecting the influence of German and Italian opera. (Redirected from 21 January) January 21 is the 21st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Year 1874 (MDCCCLXXIV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link with display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... The orthography of a language specifies the correct way of writing in that language. ... The Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Italy. ... Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky (Russian: , Modest Petrovič Musorgskij, French: ) (March 9/21, 1839 – March 16/28, 1881), one of the Russian composers known as the Five, was an innovator of Russian music. ... Saint Petersburg (Russian: Санкт-Петербу́рг, English transliteration: Sankt-Peterburg), colloquially known as Питер (transliterated Piter), formerly known as Leningrad (Ленингра́д, 1924–1991) and... At different times, a ruler in Kievan Rus/Rus principalities/Imperial Russia bore the title of Kniaz (translated as Duke or Prince), Velikiy Kniaz (translated as Grand Duke, Grand Prince or Great Prince), Tsar, Emperor. ... Tsar Boris I Boris Feodorovich Godunov (Бори́с Фёдорович Годуно́в) (c. ... Tsar (Bulgarian, Serbian and Macedonian цар, Russian  , in scientific transliteration respectively car and car ), occasionally spelled Czar or Tzar and sometimes Csar or Zar in English, is a Slavonic term designating certain monarchs. ... A libretto is the complete body of words used in an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, sacred or secular oratorio and cantata, musical, and ballet. ... Boris Godunov (Russian: , Borís Godunóv) [Variant Title: Драматическая повесть, Комедия o настоящей беде Московскому государству, o царе Борисе и о Гришке Отрепьеве, A Dramatic Tale, The Comedy of the Distress of the Muscovite State, of Tsar Boris, and of Grishka Otrepyev] is a drama by Aleksandr Pushkin, written in 1825, published in 1831, but not approved for performance by the censor... Aleksandr Pushkin by Vasily Tropinin Aleksandr Sergeyevich Pushkin (Russian: Алекса́ндр Серге́евич Пу́шкин, Aleksandr Sergeevič PuÅ¡kin,  ) (June 6, 1799 [O.S. May 26] – February 10, 1837 [O.S. January 29]) was a Russian Romantic author who is considered to be the greatest Russian poet[1] [2][3] and the founder of modern Russian... Nikolai Mikhailovich Karamzin (December 1, 1766--1826) a Russian author credited with reforming the Russian literary language. ... Ethnic Russian music includes many varieties of folk, popular and classical traditions. ... Italian opera can be divided into three periods, the Baroque, the Romantic and the modern. ...

Composition history

Note: Dates provided in this article for events taking place in Russia before 1918 are Old Style. Old Style can refer to: Old Style and New Style dates, a shift from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar: in Britain in 1752, in Russia in 1918. ...

Nikolai Karamzin (1766 – 1826) Portrait of Nikolai Karamzin This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... Nikolai Mikhailovich Karamzin (December 1, 1766--1826) a Russian author credited with reforming the Russian literary language. ...

Aleksandr Pushkin (1799 – 1837) Image File history File links Download high resolution version (604x723, 72 KB) Alexander Pushkin 1827 Tretyakov Gallery Downloaded from http://artportret. ... Aleksandr Pushkin by Vasily Tropinin Aleksandr Sergeyevich Pushkin (Russian: Алекса́ндр Серге́евич Пу́шкин, Aleksandr Sergeevič PuÅ¡kin,  ) (June 6, 1799 [O.S. May 26] – February 10, 1837 [O.S. January 29]) was a Russian Romantic author who is considered to be the greatest Russian poet[1] [2][3] and the founder of modern Russian...

Vladimir Stasov (1824 – 1906) Image File history File linksMetadata Stasov_by_repin. ... Stasov is a quintessential family of Russian intelligentsia. ...

Vladimir Nikolsky (1836 – 1883) Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...

In the autumn of 1868, Vladimir Nikolsky, a professor of Russian literature and an authority on Pushkin, suggested to Mussorgsky the idea of composing an opera on the subject of Pushkin’s drama Boris Godunov, which had finally been approved for performance in 1866. Russian literature refers to the literature of Russia or its émigrés, and to the Russian-language literature of several independent nations once a part of what was historically Russia or the Soviet Union. ... This does not cite any references or sources. ... Boris Godunov (Russian: , Borís Godunóv) [Variant Title: Драматическая повесть, Комедия o настоящей беде Московскому государству, o царе Борисе и о Гришке Отрепьеве, A Dramatic Tale, The Comedy of the Distress of the Muscovite State, of Tsar Boris, and of Grishka Otrepyev] is a drama by Aleksandr Pushkin, written in 1825, published in 1831, but not approved for performance by the censor...

Modest Mussorgsky in 1870

Original Version of 1869 Image File history File links Download high resolution version (459x654, 230 KB)Public Domain This image is in the public domain because its copyright has expired in the United States and those countries with a copyright term of life of the author plus 100 years or less. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (459x654, 230 KB)Public Domain This image is in the public domain because its copyright has expired in the United States and those countries with a copyright term of life of the author plus 100 years or less. ...

Mussorgsky began work in October 1868 preparing his own libretto. Pushkin’s drama consists of 24 scenes, written predominantly in blank verse. Mussorgsky adapted the most theatrically effective scenes, often preserving Pushkin’s verses, and augmented these with his own lyrics. He was assisted by a study of History of the Russian State by Karamzin, to whom Pushkin’s drama is dedicated. Mussorgsky worked rapidly, composing the vocal score and then the full score in about 14 months, at the same time holding down a civil service job. The Original Version was completed by December 15, 1869. The score was submitted to a committee of the Imperial Theaters in 1870, but was rejected for performance, ostensibly for its lack of conventional prima donna and first tenor roles, but also, it is believed, for its novelty. Blank verse is a type of poetry, distinguished by having a regular meter, but no rhyme. ... Vocal score or Piano-vocal score is a music score of an opera, or a vocal or choral composition with orchestra (like oratorio or cantata) where the vocal parts are written out in full but the accompaniment is reduced to two staves and adapted for playing on piano. ... is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1869 (MDCCCLXIX) is a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ...

"All his closest friends, including myself, although moved to enthusiasm by the superb dramatic power and genuinely national character of the work, had constantly been pointing out to him that it lacked many essentials; and that despite the beauties with which it teemed, it might be found unsatisfactory in certain respects. For a long time he stood up (as every genuine artist is wont to do) for his creation, the fruit of his inspiration and meditations. He yielded only after Boris had been rejected, the management finding that it contained too many choruses and ensembles, whereas individual characters had too little to do. This rejection proved very beneficial to Boris."

—Vladimir Stasov

Revised Version of 1872

Mussorgsky began recasting and expanding Boris in 1871. Three scenes were added (the two Sandomir scenes and the Kromï Scene), one cut (the Vasiliy the Blessed Scene), and another recomposed (the Terem Scene). The modifications resulted in the addition of an important female role (Marina Mniszech), the expansion of existing female roles (additional songs for the Hostess, Fyodor, and the Nurse), and the expansion of the role of the Pretender. The Revised Version was finished June 23, 1872, and submitted to the Imperial Theaters in the autumn. is the 174th day of the year (175th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1872 (MDCCCLXXII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

Initial performances

Mussorgsky's friends took matters into their own hands by arranging the performance of three scenes at the Mariinsky Theater on February 5, 1873. The response of the public and critics was enthusiastic: The Maryinsky (or Mariinsky) Theatre (or Theater), is the St Petersburg theatre where the Mariinsky Ballet is located. ... is the 36th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1873 (MDCCCLXXIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...

"The success was enormous and complete; never, within my memory, had such ovations been given to a composer at the Mariinsky."

—César Cui, Sankt-Peterburgskie Vedomosti, 1873

This triumph paved the way for the first complete performance of the opera, which took place on January 27, 1874. The hall was sold out, and the performance was a great success with the public. Students sang choruses from the opera in the street. This time, however, the critical reaction was exceedingly hostile [see Critical Reception in this article for details]. César Antonovitch Cui (Russian: Цезарь Антонович Кюи) (January 6/18, 1835 – March 13, 1918) was a Russian composer and music critic of French and Lithuanian descent. ... The Vedomosti, June 28, 1711. ... January 27 is the 27th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1874 (MDCCCLXXIV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link with display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... I regard the people as a great being, inspired by a single idea. ...

Cuts

Initial performances of Boris Godunov featured significant cuts. The entire Cell Scene was cut from the first performance, and there were substantial cuts to the 3rd and 4th Acts. The extent of Mussorgsky's cooperation in making the cuts is not known with accuracy. After protracted difficulties in obtaining the production of his opera, he was compliant with the demands of the conductor Nápravník in ruthlessly excising large sections and even entire scenes from the work, and went so far as to defend these mutilations to his own supporters. Later performances tended to be even more heavily cut, including the removal of the entire Novodevichiy, Cell, and Kromï scenes.

"Presently cuts were made in the opera, the splendid scene 'Near Kromï' was omitted. Some two years later, the Lord knows why, productions of the opera ceased altogether, although it had enjoyed uninterrupted success, and the performances under Petrov and, after his death, by F. I. Stravinsky, Platonova, and Komissarzhevsky had been excellent. There were rumors afloat that the opera had displeased the Imperial family; there was gossip that its subject was unpleasant to the censors; the result was that the opera was stricken from the repertory." Osip Petrov Osip Afanasievich Petrov (Russian: , 15 November [O.S. 3 November] 1807 - 11 March [O.S. 27 February] 1878) was a Russian operatic bass-baritone of great range and renown. ... Fyodor Stravinsky as the Miller in Dargomyzhskys opera Rusalka Fyodor Ignatievich Stravinsky (Russian: , 20 June [O.S. 8 June] 1843 - 4 December [O.S. 21 November] 1902) was a Russian-Ukrainian bass opera singer and actor. ...

—Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov, Chronicle of My Musical Life

Early performance history

Eduard Nápravník, a 'master of cuts', conducted the premiere of Boris Godunov (1874)

Note: Dates provided in this article for events taking place in Russia before 1918 are Old Style. Image File history File links Napravnik. ... Image File history File links Napravnik. ... Old Style can refer to: Old Style and New Style dates, a shift from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar: in Britain in 1752, in Russia in 1918. ...

Performances of Excerpts

Cathedral Square Scene (Coronation Scene)

• Date: 5 February 1872
• Place: Russian Music Society, St. Petersburg
• Conductor: Eduard Nápravník

Polonaise from Act III is the 36th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1872 (MDCCCLXXII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Eduard Frantsovitch Nápravník (24 August 1839, Býšť, Bohemia - 23 November 1916) was Czech/Russian conductor and composer. ...

• Date: 3 April 1872
• Place: Free School of Music, St. Petersburg
• Conductor: Mily Balakirev

Three Scenes: Inn Scene, Scene in Marina's Boudoir, Scene in the Garden of Mniszech's Castle is the 93rd day of the year (94th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1872 (MDCCCLXXII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Portrait of Balakirev Mily Alexeyevich Balakirev (Russian: , Milij Alekseevič Balakirev) (January 2, 1837 – May 29, 1910) was a Russian composer. ...

• Date: 5 February 1873
• Place: Mariinsky Theater, St. Petersburg
• Conductor: Eduard Nápravník

First Performance of the Complete* Opera is the 36th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1873 (MDCCCLXXIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...

• Date: 27 January 1874
• Place: Mariinsky Theater, St. Petersburg, Russia
• Producer: Gennady Kondratyev
• Scene Designers: Matvey Shishkov, Mikhail Bocharov
• Conductor: Eduard Nápravník

Original interpreters January 27 is the 27th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1874 (MDCCCLXXIV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link with display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... The Maryinsky (or Mariinsky) Theatre (or Theater), is the St Petersburg theatre where the Mariinsky Ballet is located. ...

Ivan Melnikov Tsar Boris 1874 Image File history File links Ivan_Melnikov. ... For the Russian politician, see: Ivan Melnikov (politician). ...

Fyodor Komissarzhevsky The Pretender 1873 Image File history File links Komissarshevskiy. ...

Yuliya Platonova Marina Mniszech 1873 Image File history File links Platonova. ...

Kondratyev and Petrov Misail and Varlaam 1873 Image File history File links Kondratyev_and_Petrov. ... Osip Petrov Osip Afanasievich Petrov (Russian: , 15 November [O.S. 3 November] 1807 - 11 March [O.S. 27 February] 1878) was a Russian operatic bass-baritone of great range and renown. ...

Subsequent Performances

The work was performed 21 times during the composer's lifetime, and 5 times after his death (in 1881) before being withdrawn from the repertory on November 8, 1882. is the 312th day of the year (313th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1882 (MDCCCLXXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

Important premieres

(Redirected from 27 January) January 27 is the 27th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Year 1874 (MDCCCLXXIV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link with display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... The Maryinsky (or Mariinsky) Theatre (or Theater), is the St Petersburg theatre where the Mariinsky Ballet is located. ... Eduard Frantsovitch Nápravník (24 August 1839, Býšť, Bohemia - 23 November 1916) was Czech/Russian conductor and composer. ... For the Russian politician, see: Ivan Melnikov (politician). ... (Redirected from 16 December) December 16 is the 350th day of the year (351st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Year 1888 (MDCCCLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... The Bolshoi Theatre of Moscow, Russia The Bolshoi Theatre (Russian: , Bolshoy Teatr, Large Theater) is a theatre and opera company in Moscow, Russia, which gives performances of ballet and opera. ... Ippolit Karlovich Altani (also Altani) (27 May [OS 15 May] 1846, South of Ukraine – 17 February 1919, Moscow – was a Russian conductor, choirmaster and violinist. ... Bogomir Korsov as Mazeppa, Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow, 1884 Bogomir Bogomirovich Korsov, also Gothfrid Gothfridovich Korsov – pseudonym, the real name Gothfrid Gering (1845, St Petersburg – 1920, Tbilisi) – was a Russian opera singer, baritone. ... December 4 is the 338th day (339th on leap years) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1896 (MDCCCXCVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display calendar). ... Theatre Square and the conservatory in 1913. ... Nikolai Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov Nikolai Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov (Russian: , Nikolaj Andreevič Rimskij-Korsakov), also Nikolay, Nicolai, and Rimsky-Korsakoff, (March 6 (N.S. March 18), 1844 – June 8 (N.S. June 21) 1908) was a Russian composer, one of five Russian composers known as The Five, and was later a... December 7 is the 341st day (342nd on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1898 (MDCCCXCVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... The Russian opera singer Feodor Ivanovich Chaliapin () (February 13 (February 1, Old Style), 1873–April 12, 1938) was the most famous bass in the first half of the 20th century. ... is the 139th day of the year (140th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1908 (MCMVIII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar). ... The Palais Garnier, Paris The Palais Garnier, also known as the Opéra de Paris as well as the Opéra Garnier, is a 2,200 seat opera house in Paris, France. ... Felix Mikhailovich Blumenfeld, (born 17/19 April 1863, Kovalevka, Kherson - died 21 January 1931 in Moscow) was a Russian composer, conductor and pianist. ... (Redirected from 19 March) March 19 is the 78th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (79th in leap years). ... Year 1913 (MCMXIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, the lead section of this article may need to be expanded. ... Arturo Toscanini (March 25, 1867 – January 16, 1957) was an Italian musician. ... Adamo Didur (December 24, 1874 - January 7, 1946) was a Polish bass. ... (Redirected from 24 June) June 24 is the 175th day of the year (176th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 190 days remaining. ... Year 1913 (MCMXIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... The interior of the third and largest theatre to stand at Drury Lane, c. ... Pierre Monteux (April 4, 1875 – July 1, 1964) was an orchestra conductor. ... (Redirected from 16 February) February 16 is the 47th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Year 1928 (MCMXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Maryinsky (or Mariinsky) Theatre (or Theater), is the St Petersburg theatre where the Mariinsky Ballet is located. ... Mark Reizen Mark Osipovich Reizen, or Reisen (Russian: Ма́рк О́сипович Ре́йзен, born Zaitsevo village, near Lugansk, Ukraine July 3, [OS June 21] 1895 – died November 25, 1992 Moscow) was Russian and Ukrainian opera singer, lyrical bass. ... November 4 is the 308th day of the year (309th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 57 days remaining. ... Year 1959 (MCMLIX) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Maryinsky (or Mariinsky) Theatre (or Theater), is the St Petersburg theatre where the Mariinsky Ballet is located. ... Boris Shtokolov (Russian: Борис Тимофеевич Штоколов) (March 19, 1930 - January 6, 2005) was a famous Soviet and Russian singer, one of the greatest basses of the 20th century. ...

Critical reception

César Cui (1835 – 1918) Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... César Antonovitch Cui (Russian: Цезарь Антонович Кюи) (January 6/18, 1835 – March 13, 1918) was a Russian composer and music critic of French and Lithuanian descent. ...

Modest Mussorgsky (1839 – 1881) Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (682x949, 84 KB) Summary This image is in the public domain because its copyright has expired in the United States and those countries with a copyright term of life of the author plus 100 years or less. ... Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky (Russian: , Modest Petrovič Musorgskij, French: ) (March 9/21, 1839 – March 16/28, 1881), one of the Russian composers known as the Five, was an innovator of Russian music. ...

Pyotr Tchaikovsky (1840 – 1893) Image File history File links Der_junge_Tschaikowski. ... Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Russian Пётр Ильи́ч Чайко́вский, sometimes transliterated as Piotr, Anglicised as Peter Ilich), (May 7, 1840 – November 6, 1893 (N.S.); April 25, 1840 – October...

Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov (1844 – 1908) Image File history File links NARK.jpg‎ This image is in the public domain because its copyright has expired in the United States and those countries with a copyright term of life of the author plus 100 years or less. ... Nikolai Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov Nikolai Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov (Russian: , Nikolaj Andreevič Rimskij-Korsakov), also Nikolay, Nicolai, and Rimsky-Korsakoff, (March 6 (N.S. March 18), 1844 – June 8 (N.S. June 21) 1908) was a Russian composer, one of five Russian composers known as The Five, and was later a...

As the most daring and innovative member of the group of composers known as the Mighty Handful, Mussorgsky frequently became the target of conservative critics and rival composers, and was often derided for his supposedly clumsy and crude musical idiom: The Mighty Handful (Moguchaya Kuchka / Могучая Кучка in Russian), better known as The Five in English-speaking countries, was a label applied in 1867 by the critic Vladimir Stasov to a loose collection of Russian classical composers brought together under...

"I consign [Boris Godunov] from the bottom of my heart to the devil – it is the most insipid and base parody of music... Mussorgsky is a limited individual devoid of any desire to educate himself, blindly putting his faith in the preposterous theories of his circle and in his own genius... his is a low nature, rough, crude and coarse... [he] flaunts his illiteracy and is proud of his ignorance."

—Pyotr Tchaikovsky

Reviews of the premiere performance of Boris Godunov were for the most part hostile. Some critics dismissed the work as "noisy", "chaotic", and "a cacophony". Even his friends Balakirev and César Cui, leading members of the Kuchka, minimized his accomplishment. Unable to overlook Mussorgsky's "trespasses against the conventional musical grammar of the time" (Calvocoressi), they failed to recognize the giant step forward in musical and dramatic expression that Boris Godunov represented. Cui betrayed Mussorgsky in a notoriously scathing review of the premiere performance: Mily Alexeyevich Balakirev (Russian Милий Алексеевич Бала́кирев) (January 2, 1837 – May 29, 1910) was a Russian composer. ... Mily Balakirev The Five (Russian: , Mogučaja kučka, literally Mighty [Little] Heap, and often translated as The Mighty Handful; also known as The Mighty Five, The Russian Five, or The New Russian School in English-speaking countries, and by comparable translations in other languages), was a label applied in...

"Mr. Mussorgsky is endowed with great and original talent, but Boris is an immature work, superb in parts, feeble in others. Its main defects are in the disjointed recitatives and the disarray of the musical ideas.... These defects are not due to a lack of creative power.... The real trouble is his immaturity, his incapacity for severe self-criticism, his self-satisfaction, and his hasty methods of composition..."

—César Cui, Sankt-Peterburgskie Vedomosti, 1874

Although he found much to admire, he criticized the composer for a poorly constructed libretto, and found the opera to exhibit a lack of cohesion between scenes, making it more a musical Shakespearean chronicle than an opera. He also claimed Mussorgsky was so deficient in the ability to write instrumental music that he dispensed with composing a prelude. César Antonovitch Cui (Russian: Цезарь Антонович Кюи) (January 6/18, 1835 – March 13, 1918) was a Russian composer and music critic of French and Lithuanian descent. ... The Vedomosti, June 28, 1711. ...

Of the critics who evaluated the new opera, only one fully recognized Mussorgsky's particular genius and skill:

"Dramatization in music could go no farther. Mussorgsky has proved himself to be a philosopher-musician, capable of expressing with rare truth the mind and soul of his characters. He also has a thorough understanding of musical resources. He is a master of the orchestra; his working-out is fluent, his vocal and chorus parts are beautifully written."

—'Foma Pizzicato', pen-name of the critic Baskin, Peterburgsky Listok, 1874

Although Boris Godunov is usually praised for its originality, for the dramatic power of its choruses, for its sharply delineated characters, and for the powerful psychological portrayal of Tsar Boris, it has received an inordinate amount of criticism for technical shortcomings: weak or faulty harmony, counterpoint, part-writing, and orchestration. The perception that Boris needed correction due to Mussorgsky's poverty of technique prompted his friend Rimsky-Korsakov to revise it after his death. His edition supplanted the composer's Revised Version of 1872 in Russia, and launched the work in the world's opera houses, remaining the preferred edition for some 75 years [see Versions by Other Hands in this article for more details]. Harmony is the use and study of pitch simultaneity, and therefore chords, actual or implied, in music. ... In music, counterpoint is the relationship between two or more voices that are independent in contour and rhythm, and interdependent in harmony. ... Orchestration is the study or practice of writing music for orchestra (or, more loosely, for any musical ensemble) or of adapting for orchestra music composed for another medium. ... I regard the people as a great being, inspired by a single idea. ...

Recently, however, a new appreciation for the rugged individuality of the composer's style has resulted in increasing performances and recording of his original versions. For many, Boris Godunov is the greatest of all Russian operas because of its originality, power, and theatricality, regardless of any cosmetic imperfections it may possess.

The drama

• Narrative and dramatic impetus
• Psychological depth of the main characters
• Socio-political subtext

The music

• Skillful musical characterization
• Thematic development
• Key themes borrowed from Salammbô
• Use of leitmotive
• Use of modes
• Speech melody

Modest Musorgsky Salammbô (The Libyan) – Russian:Саламбо (Ливиец) – is an unfinished opera in 4 acts by the Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky, to his own libretto based on the novel of the same title by Gustave Flaubert (1862), as well as poems by Alexander Polezhayev, Apollon Maikov and Vasily Zhukovsky. ... A leitmotif (also spelled leitmotiv) is a recurring musical theme, associated within a particular piece of music with a particular person, place or idea. ... In music, a scale is an ordered series of musical intervals, which, along with the key or tonic, define the pitches. ...

Versions

Title page of the Piano Vocal Score of 1874

Authentic Editions Image File history File links Size of this preview: 473 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (488 × 618 pixel, file size: 54 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) This image is in the public domain because its copyright has expired in the United States and those countries with a copyright term of life of... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 473 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (488 × 618 pixel, file size: 54 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) This image is in the public domain because its copyright has expired in the United States and those countries with a copyright term of life of...

• The Original Version of 1869 is rarely heard. Its main attractions are that it provides an interesting alternative in the Terem Scene to that of the 1872 version, it contains the dramatic Scene at the Cathedral of Vasiliy the Blessed ('St. Basil's Scene'), and it is not disfigured by any of the cuts the composer made in later versions of the work. The terse Terem Scene of the 1869 version and the momentum and unrelieved tension of the two subsequent and final scenes make this version more dramatically effective to some critics.
• The Revised Version of 1872 is longer, is richer in musical and theatrical variety, and presents the title character in a somewhat more sympathetic and tragic light in the central Terem Scene. However, some critics maintain that the addition of songs to the Terem Scene and the insertion of the Sandomir scenes immediately following it actually weaken rather than enhance the drama. This version has made a strong comeback in recent years, and is becoming the dominant version.
• The Piano Vocal Score of 1874 was the first published form of the opera, and is essentially the 1872 version with some minor musical variants and small cuts.

Editions by other hands

• Rimsky-Korsakov, 1896
• The Rimsky-Korsakov Version of 1908 has been the most traditional version over the last century. It resembles the Vocal Score of 1874, but the order of the last two scenes is reversed [see Versions by Other Hands in this article for more details].
• Emilis Melngailis, 1924
• Dmitri Shostakovich, 1940
• Karol Rathaus, 1952

Nikolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov (Russian: Никола́й Андре́евич Ри́мский-Ко́рсаков), also Nikolai, Nicolai, and Rimsky-Korsakoff, (March 18, 1844 &#8211... I regard the people as a great being, inspired by a single idea. ... Dmitri Shostakovich   (Russian: , Dmitrij Dmitrievič Å ostakovič) (September 25 [O.S. September 12] 1906–August 9, 1975) was a Russian composer of the Soviet period. ...

Comparison of the authentic versions

The distribution of scenes in the authentic versions is as follows:

Compared to the 1869 version, the 1872 version has lost one scene (Vasily the Blessed) and gained three (the two Sandomir scenes and the Kromï Scene). The composer initially replaced the Vasily the Blessed Scene with the Kromï Scene. However, on the suggestion of Nikolsky, he transposed the order of the last two scenes, concluding the opera with the Kromï Scene rather than the Palace of Facets Scene. This gives the overall structure of the opera the following symmetrical form:

People - Boris - Grigoriy - Boris - Grigoriy - Boris - People

Later, Rimsky-Korsakov transposed the last two scenes back again in his revision. Critics often mention that in doing so he shifted the focus of the opera from a tragedy of the Russian people to the tragedy of an individual.

Mussorgsky also rewrote the Terem Scene for the 1872 version, modifying the text, adding new songs and plot devices (the parrot and the clock), modifying the psychological treatment of the title character, and virtually recomposing the music of the entire scene.

Other important modifications in the 1872 version are:

• Prologue, Scene 1 (Novodevichiy Scene) – The conclusion is cut (in the Synopsis below, the bracketed portion).
• Act 1, Scene 1 (Cell Scene) – Pimen's narrative of the scene of Dmitriy's murder is cut. In addition, the composer added some offstage choruses of monks.
• Act 1, Scene 2 (Inn Scene) – The 'Song of the Drake' is added (just after the introduction).
• Act 4, Scene 1 (Palace of Facets Scene) – 'Shchelkalov's Address' is cut (just after the introduction).

I regard the people as a great being, inspired by a single idea. ...

Performance practice

The Mariinsky Theater opened in 1860. Boris Godunov received its premiere there in 1874

A conflation (composite) of the 1869 and 1872 versions is often made when staging or recording Boris Godunov. This typically involves choosing the 1872 version and augmenting it with the Vasiliy the Blessed Scene (St. Basil's Scene) from the 1869 version. This strategy is popular because the Vasiliy the Blessed Scene is generally acknowledged to be too fine to omit. However, since the composer transferred the scene of the Yurodivïy and the urchins from the Vasiliy the Blessed Scene to the Kromï Scene when revising the opera, restoring the Vasiliy the Blessed Scene to its former location creates a problem of duplicate scenes, which can be partially solved by cuts. Most performances cut the robbery of the Yurodivïy in the Kromï Scene, but duplicate his lament that ends each scene. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The Maryinsky (or Mariinsky) Theatre (or Theater), is the St Petersburg theatre where the Mariinsky Ballet is located. ...

Other examples of conflation:

• The Rimsky-Korsakov Version is often augmented with the Ippolitov-Ivanov reorchestration of the Vasiliy the Blessed Scene (first performed in 1927).

• Conductors sometimes elect to restore the cuts the composer himself made (or sanctioned) in writing the 1872 version [see Comparison of the Authentic Versions in this article for more details].

Mikhail Mikhailovich Ippolitov-Ivanov (Russian: Михаил Михайлович Ипполитов-Иванов) (19 November [O.S. November 7] 1859 – January 28, 1935) was a Russian composer, conductor and teacher. ... I regard the people as a great being, inspired by a single idea. ...

Instrumentation

Mussorgsky Orchestration

• Strings: Violins, Violas, Cellos, Double Basses
• Woodwinds: 2 Flutes, 1 Flute/Piccolo, 1 Oboe, 1 Oboe/English Horn, 2 Clarinets, 2 Bassoons
• Brass: 4 Horns, 2 Trumpets, 3 Trombones, 1 Tuba
• Percussion: Timpani, Bass Drum, Snare Drum, Tambourine, Cymbals, Tam-tam
• Other: Piano, Harp
• On/Offstage: 1 Trumpet, Bells

Rimsky-Korsakov Orchestration: The violin is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. ... The viola (French, alto; German Bratsche) is a bowed string instrument. ... The violoncello, usually abbreviated to cello, or cello (the c is pronounced as in the ch of check), is a bowed stringed instrument, the lowest-sounding member of the violin family. ... Side and front views of a modern double bass with a French bow. ... The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. ... The piccolo is a small flute. ... The oboe is a double reed musical instrument of the woodwind family. ... Cor anglais The cor anglais or English horn is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. ... Two soprano clarinets: a Bâ™­ clarinet (left, with capped mouthpiece) and an A clarinet (right, with no mouthpiece). ... The bassoon is a woodwind instrument in the double reed family that typically plays music written in the bass and tenor registers and occasionally even higher. ... The horn (popularly known also as the French horn) is a brass instrument decended from the natural horn that consists of tubing wrapped into a coiled form. ... The trumpet is the highest brass instrument in register, above the French horn, trombone, baritone, euphonium, and tuba. ... The trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. ... The tuba is the largest and lowest pitched of brass instruments. ... This article or section includes a list of works cited or a list of external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... A bass drum is a large drum that produces a note of low definite or indefinite pitch. ... The snare drum or side drum is a tubular drum made of wood or metal with skins, or heads, stretched over the top and bottom openings, and with a set of snares (cords) strethced across the bottom head. ... The tambourine, also known as the Marine, is a musical instrument of the percussion family consisting of a a wooden or plastic frame with pairs of small metal jingles. ... For the Japanese rock band, see Cymbals (band). ... A tam tam is also a kind of Gong A tam is also kind of Jamaican hat, probably from the Irish tam-o-shanter. ... A short grand piano, with the top up. ... The harp is a stringed instrument which has the plane of its strings positioned perpendicular to the soundboard. ... A bell is a simple sound-making device. ...

• Strings: Violins, Violas, Cellos, Double Basses
• Woodwinds: 2 Flutes, 1 Flute/Piccolo, 1 Oboe, 1 Oboe/English Horn, 2 Clarinets, 1 Clarinet/Bass Clarinet, 2 Bassoons
• Brass: 4 Horns, 3 Trumpets, 3 Trombones, 1 Tuba
• Percussion: Timpani, Bass Drum, Snare Drum, Tambourine, Cymbals
• Other: Piano, Harp
• On/Offstage: 1 Trumpet, Bells, Tam-tam

Shostakovich Orchestration: The bass clarinet is a musical instrument of the clarinet family. ...

• Strings: Violins, Violas, Cellos, Double Basses
• Woodwinds: 2 Flutes, 1 Flute/Piccolo, 2 Oboes, 1 English Horn, 2 Clarinets, 1 Clarinet/E-flat clarinet, 1 Bass Clarinet, 2 Bassoons, 1 Bassoon/Contrabassoon
• Brass: 4 Horns, 3 Trumpets, 3 Trombones, 1 Tuba
• Percussion: Timpani, Bass Drum, Snare Drum, Cymbals, Tam-tam, Triangle, Bells, Glockenspiel, Xylophone
• Other: Piano, Harp, Celesta
• On/Offstage: 4 Trumpets, 2 Cornets, 2 Horns, 2 Baritone Horns, 2 Euphoniums, 2 Tubas, Balalaika and Domra ad libitum

E♭ clarinet with Oehler system keywork. ... This is a contrabassoon. ... Most orchestral glockenspiels are mounted in a case. ... Kulintang a Kayo, a Philippine xylophone The xylophone (from the Greek meaning wooden sound) is a musical instrument in the percussion family which probably originated in Indonesia. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... The euphonium is a conical-bore, tenor-voiced brass instrument. ... Balalaika The balalaika (Russian: балала́йка; IPA ) is a stringed instrument of Russian origin, with a characteristic triangular body and 3 strings (or sometimes 6, in pairs). ... Domra Domra (домра) is a long-necked Russian string instrument with three or four steel strings and a round resonator. ...

Roles

Tsar Boris I Boris Feodorovich Godunov (Бори́с Фёдорович Годуно́в) (c. ... Tsar (Bulgarian, Serbian and Macedonian цар, Russian  , in scientific transliteration respectively car and car ), occasionally spelled Czar or Tzar and sometimes Csar or Zar in English, is a Slavonic term designating certain monarchs. ... A bass (or basso in Italian) is a male singer who sings in the deepest vocal range of the human voice. ... Baritone (French: ; German: ; Italian: ) is most commonly the type of male voice that lies between bass and tenor. ... Assassination of Feodor II (1862). ... A mezzo-soprano (meaning medium soprano in Italian) is a female singer with a range usually extending from the A below middle C to the F an eleventh above middle C. Mezzo-sopranos generally have a darker (or lower) vocal tone than sopranos, and their vocal range is between that... Look up soprano in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... In music, an alto is a singer with a vocal range somewhere between a tenor and a soprano. ... Vasili IV of Russia (1552 – September 12, 1612) was the last Rurikid tsar of Russia between 1606 and 1610. ... A boyar (also spelled bojar) or bolyarin was a member of the highest rank of the feudal Russian, Romanian and Bulgarian aristocracy, second only to the ruling princes, from the tenth through the seventeenth century. ... This article or section seems to contain too many examples (or examples of poor quality) for an encyclopedia entry. ... Vasily Yakovlevich Shchelkalov (Василий Яковлевич Щелкалов in Russian) (? – 1610 or 1611) and Andrey Yakovlevich Shchelkalov (Андрей Яковлевич Щелкалов) (? - c. ... Podyachy or podyachiy (Russian: ; from Greek hypodiakonos, assistant servant) is an office (bureaucratic) occupation in prikazes (local and upper governmental offices) and lesser local offices of Russia in 15th-18th centuries. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with State Duma. ... Onuphrius lived as a hermit in the desert of Upper Egypt in the late 4th century A hermit (from the Greek erÄ“mos, signifying desert, uninhabited, hence desert-dweller) is a person who lives to some greater or lesser degree in seclusion and/or isolation from society. ... St. ... False Dimitriy I (Cyrillic Лжедмитрий; other transliterations: Dimitry, Dimitri, Dimitrii) was the Tsar of Russia from July 21, 1605 until his death on May 17, 1606 under the name of Dimitriy Ioannovich (Cyrillic Димитрий Иоаннович). He was one of three impostors who claimed during the Time of Troubles to be the youngest son... This article is about pretender as applied to a monarchy. ... Noble Family Mniszchowie Coat of Arms Mniszech or Konczyc or Poraj1 Parents Jerzy Mniszech Jadwiga Tarło Husbands False Dmitri I False Dmitri II Ivan Zarutsky Children Ivan Dmitriyevich Date of Birth 1588 Place of Birth  ? Date of Death 1614 Place of Death  ? Marina Mniszech (Мар&#1080... Sandomierz is a town in south-eastern Poland with 27,000 inhabitants (1995). ... For the heavy metal music band see Voivod (band). ... The Society of Jesus (Latin: Societas Iesu), commonly known as the Jesuits, is a Roman Catholic religious order. ... Vagabond refer to: Vagabond, an itinerant person, Vagabond, a manga by Takehiko Inoue, Vagabond, a movie by Agnès Varda, Vagabond, a Marvel Comics universe character. ... The yurodivy (accented on the second syllable, юро́дивый) is the Russian version of the holy fool. ... Foolishness in Christ (Russian transliteration, iurodstvo or jurodstvo) is a maverick asceticism peculiar to Byzantium and later, Eastern Orthodoxy. ... A boyar (also spelled bojar) or bolyarin was a member of the highest rank of the feudal Russian, Romanian and Bulgarian aristocracy, second only to the ruling princes, from the tenth through the seventeenth century. ... The Society of Jesus (Latin: Societas Iesu), commonly known as the Jesuits, is a Roman Catholic religious order. ... It has been suggested that Streltsy Department be merged into this article or section. ...

Historical basis of the plot

Boris Godunov (1551 – 1605) Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Tsar Boris I Boris Feodorovich Godunov (Бори́с Фёдорович Годуно́в) (c. ...

Vasiliy Shuysky (1552 – 1612) Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Vasili IV of Russia (1552 – September 12, 1612) was the last Rurikid tsar of Russia between 1606 and 1610. ...

The Pretender (c.1582 – 1606) 17th-century portrait of False Dmitriy I This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... False Dimitriy I (Cyrillic Лжедмитрий; other transliterations: Dimitry, Dimitri, Dimitrii) was the Tsar of Russia from July 21, 1605 until his death on May 17, 1606 under the name of Dimitriy Ioannovich (Cyrillic Димитрий Иоаннович). He was one of three impostors who claimed during the Time of Troubles to be the youngest son...

Marina Mniszech (1588 – 1614) Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Noble Family Mniszchowie Coat of Arms Mniszech or Konczyc or Poraj1 Parents Jerzy Mniszech Jadwiga Tarło Husbands False Dmitri I False Dmitri II Ivan Zarutsky Children Ivan Dmitriyevich Date of Birth 1588 Place of Birth  ? Date of Death 1614 Place of Death  ? Marina Mniszech (Мар&#1080...

An understanding of the drama of Boris Godunov may be facilitated by a basic knowledge of the historical events surrounding the Time of Troubles, the interregnum period of relative anarchy following the end of the Ryurik Dynasty (1598) and preceding the Romanov Dynasty (1613). Key events are as follows: The Time of Troubles (Russian: Смутное время, Smutnoye Vremya) was a period of Russian history comprising the years of interregnum between the death of the last of the Moscow Rurikids, Tsar Feodor Ivanovich in 1598 and the establishment of the Romanov Dynasty in 1613. ... An interregnum is a period between monarchs, between popes of the Roman Catholic Church, emperors of Holy Roman Empire, polish kings (elective monarchy) or between consuls of the Roman Republic. ... The Rurik Dynasty was the ruling dynasty of Kievan Rus, Rus principalities, and early Russia from 862 to 1598. ... The House of Romanov (Рома́нов, pronounced ) was the second and last imperial dynasty of Russia, which ruled the country for five generations from 1613 to 1761. ...

• 1584 – Ivan IV "The Terrible", the first Grand Prince of Muscovy to officially adopt the title Tsar (Caesar), dies. Ivan’s successor is his feeble son Fyodor, now Fyodor I, who cares only for spiritual matters and leaves the affairs of state to his capable brother-in-law, boyar Boris Godunov, now de facto regent.
• 1591 – Ivan’s other son Dmitry dies under mysterious circumstances in Uglich. An investigation, ordered by Godunov and carried out by Prince Vasily Shuysky, determines that the Tsarevich, while playing with a knife, had an epileptic seizure, fell, and died from a self-inflicted wound to the throat. Dmitriy's mother, Maria Nagaya, exiled with him to Uglich by Godunov, claims he was assassinated. Rumors linking Boris to the crime are circulated by his enemies.
• 1598 – Tsar Fyodor I dies. He is virtually the last representative of the Ryurik Dynasty that has ruled Russia for 7 centuries. Patriarch Job of Moscow nominates Boris to succeed Fyodor I as Tsar, despite the rumors that Boris ordered the murder of Dmitry. Boris agrees to ascend the throne only if elected by the Zemsky Sobor. This the assembly does unanimously, and Boris is crowned the same year.
• 1604 – A pretender to the throne appears, claiming to be Tsarevich Dmitry, but believed to be in reality one Grigory Otrepyev. He gains the support of the Polish aristocracy, and, obtaining a force of soldiers, he marches on Moscow. Crossing into Russia, Dmitry’s invasion force is joined by disaffected Cossacks. However, after a few victories, the campaign loses momentum.
• 1605 – Boris dies of unknown causes. He is succeeded by his son Fyodor, now Fyodor II. The death of Boris gives new life to the campaign of the False Dmitry, who enters Moscow. Boyars who flock to his side murder Fyodor II and his mother. The False Dmitry is crowned. Prince Shuysky begins plotting against him.
• 1606 – The Russian boyars are alarmed by Dmitri's Polish and Catholic alliances and his western habits. He is murdered shortly after wedding Marina Mniszech, and is succeeded by Vasily Shuysky, now Vasily IV.
• 1610 – Vasily IV is deposed, and dies two years later in a Polish prison. Another pretender claiming to be Dmitry Ivanovich, False Dmitry II, is murdered.
• 1611 – Yet a third pretender, False Dmitry III, appears. He is captured and executed in 1612.
• 1613 – The Time of Troubles comes to a close with the accession of Mikhail Romanov, son of Fyodor Romanov, who had been persecuted under Boris Godunov's reign.

Note: The culpability of Boris in the matter of Dmitriy's death can neither be proved nor disproved. Karamzin accepted his guilt as fact, and Pushkin and Mussorgsky after him assumed it to be true, at least for the purpose of creating a tragedy in the mold of Shakespeare. Modern historians, however, tend to acquit Boris of the crime. Ivan IV (August 25, 1530–March 18, 1584) was the first ruler of Russia to assume the title of tsar. ... The title Grand Prince (Latin, Magnus Princeps; German, Großfürst, Finnish Suuriruhtinas, Swedish Storfurste, Lithuanian Didysis kunigaikÅ¡tis, Russian Великий князь Velikii kniaz) ranks in honour below Emperor and Tsar but higher than a sovereign Prince (Fürst) or Royal Prince. ... Muscovy (Moscow principality (княжество Московское) to Grand Duchy of Moscow (Великое Княжество Московское) to Russian Tsardom (Царство Русское)) is a traditional Western name for the Russian state that existed from the 14th century to the late 17th century. ... Tsar (Bulgarian, Serbian and Macedonian цар, Russian  , in scientific transliteration respectively car and car ), occasionally spelled Czar or Tzar and sometimes Csar or Zar in English, is a Slavonic term designating certain monarchs. ... Feodor presents a golden chain to Boris Godunov. ... A boyar (also spelled bojar) or bolyarin was a member of the highest rank of the feudal Russian, Romanian and Bulgarian aristocracy, second only to the ruling princes, from the tenth through the seventeenth century. ... Regent, from the Latin, a person selected to administer a state because the ruler is a minor or is not present or debilitated. ... Tsarevich Demetrius (1899), by Mikhail Nesterov. ... Transfiguration cathedral in the kremlin Uglich (Russian: У́глич, pronounced ooglitch) is a historic town in Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia, on the Volga River. ... Tsar, (Bulgarian цар�, Russian царь; often spelled Czar or Tzar in English), was the title used for the autocratic rulers of the First and Second Bulgarian Empires since 913, in Serbia in the middle of the 14th century, and in Russia from 1547 to 1917. ... Maria Feodorovna Nagaya (Мария Федоровна Нагая in Russian) (? - 1608) was a Russian tsaritsa and seventh unofficial wife of Ivan the Terrible. ... The Rurik Dynasty was the ruling dynasty of Kievan Rus, Rus principalities, and early Russia from 862 to 1598. ... Job (Russian: , Iov) (real name: Иоанн, or Ioann), also known as Job of Moscow (2nd quarter of the 16th century - June 19, 1607) was the first Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. ... The zemsky sobor (Russian: зе́мский собо́р) was the first Russian parliament of the feudal Estates type, in the 16th and 17th centuries. ... This article is about pretender as applied to a monarchy. ... False Dmitry I (ruled 1605-1606) was one of three pretenders to the Russian throne who claimed to be the youngest son of Ivan the Terrible, tsarevich Dmitry Ivanovich, who had miraculously escaped the assasination attempt. ... StanisÅ‚aw Antoni Szczuka, a Polish nobleman Szlachta ( ) was the noble class in Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the two countries that later jointly formed the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. ... Position of Moscow in Europe Coordinates: , Country District Subdivision Russia Central Federal District Federal City Government  - Mayor Yuriy Luzhkov Area  - City 1,081 km²  (417. ... This article needs cleanup. ... Assassination of Feodor II (1862). ... False Dmitry I (ruled 1605-1606) was one of three pretenders to the Russian throne who claimed to be the youngest son of Ivan the Terrible, tsarevich Dmitry Ivanovich, who had miraculously escaped the assasination attempt. ... Noble Family Mniszchowie Coat of Arms Mniszech or Konczyc or Poraj1 Parents Jerzy Mniszech Jadwiga Tarło Husbands False Dmitri I False Dmitri II Ivan Zarutsky Children Ivan Dmitriyevich Date of Birth 1588 Place of Birth  ? Date of Death 1614 Place of Death  ? Marina Mniszech (Мар&#1080... Vasili IV of Russia (1552 – September 12, 1612) was the last Rurikid tsar of Russia between 1606 and 1610. ... Deposition by political means concerns the removal of a politician. ... False Dmitry II (Russian: , other transliterations: Dmitriy, Dmitri, Dmitrii), also called the thief of Tushino, was the second of three pretenders to the Russian throne who claimed to be tsarevich Dmitry, the youngest son of Ivan the Terrible. ... False Dmitry III, also called Pseudo-Demetrius III (Russian: Лжедимитрий III), was the last and most enigmatic of three pretenders to the Russian throne who claimed to be the youngest son of Ivan the Terrible, tsarevich Dmitry. ... Mikhail at the Ipatiev Monastery by Grigory Ugryumov Michael Romanov redirects here. ... Feodor Nikitich Romanov (1553-1633) was a Russian boyar who after temporary disgrace raised to become patriarch of Moscow and de-facto ruler of Russia during the reign of his son, Mikhail Feodorovich. ...

Synopsis

Shishkov and Bocharev designed the scenes used in the first complete performance in 1874. Some of their work accompanies the synopsis below.

( ) = Arias and numbers

[ ] = Passages cut from or added to the 1872 Revised Version [see Comparison of the authentic versions in this article for details] I regard the people as a great being, inspired by a single idea. ...

Shishkov's design for the Novodevichiy Monastery Scene (1870)

The Courtyard of the Novodevichiy Monastery near Moscow (1598). There is a brief introduction foreshadowing the 'Dmitriy Motif'. The curtain opens on a crowd in the courtyard of the monastery, where the weary regent Boris Godunov has temporarily retired. Nikitich the police officer orders the assembled people to kneel. He goads them to clamor for Boris to accept the throne. They sing a chorus of supplication ("To whom dost thou abandon us, our father?"). The people are bewildered about their purpose and soon fall to bickering with each other, resuming their entreaties only when the policeman threatens them with his club. Their chorus reaches a feverish climax. Andrey Shchelkalov, the Secretary of the Duma, appears from inside the convent, informs the people that Boris still refuses the throne of Russia ("Orthodox folk! The boyar is implacable!"), and requests that they pray that he will relent. An approaching procession of pilgrims and cripples sings a hymn ("Glory to Thee, Creator on high"), exhorting the people to crush the spirit of anarchy in the land, take up holy icons, and go to meet the Tsar. They disappear into the monastery. [The people discuss the statements of the pilgrims. Many remain bewildered about the identity of this Tsar. The police officer interrupts their discussion, ordering them to appear the next day at the Moscow Kremlin. The people move on, stoically exclaiming "if we are to wail, we might as well wail at the Kremlin".] Image File history File links Shishkov_-_Novodevichiy. ... Image File history File links Shishkov_-_Novodevichiy. ... Novodevichy convent in summer Novodevichy Convent, also known as Bogoroditse-Smolensky Monastery (Новодевичий монастырь, Богородице-Смоленс&#1082... Position of Moscow in Europe Coordinates: , Country District Subdivision Russia Central Federal District Federal City Government  - Mayor Yuriy Luzhkov Area  - City 1,081 km²  (417. ... Regent, from the Latin, a person selected to administer a state because the ruler is a minor or is not present or debilitated. ... Tsar Boris I Boris Feodorovich Godunov (Бори́с Фёдорович Годуно́в) (c. ... Vasily Yakovlevich Shchelkalov (Василий Яковлевич Щелкалов in Russian) (? – 1610 or 1611) and Andrey Yakovlevich Shchelkalov (Андрей Яковлевич Щелкалов) (? - c. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with State Duma. ... The Moscow Kremlin (Russian: Московский Кремль) is a historic fortified complex at the very heart of Moscow, overlooking the Moskva River (to the south), Saint Basils Cathedral (often mistaken by westerners as the Kremlin) and Red Square (to the east) and the Alexander Garden (to the west). ...

Bocharov's design for the Cathedral Square Scene (1874)

[Cathedral] Square in the Moscow Kremlin (1598). The unforgettable orchestral introduction is based on bell motifs. From the porch of the Cathedral of the Dormition, Prince Shuysky exhorts the people to glorify Tsar Boris. As the people sing a great chorus of praise ("Like the glory of the beautiful sun in the sky"), a solemn procession of boyars exits the cathedral. The people kneel. Boris appears on the porch of the cathedral. The shouts of "Glory!" reach a crescendo and subside. Boris addresses the people with a brief monologue ("My soul grieves") betraying a feeling of ominous foreboding. He prays for God's blessing, and hopes to be a good and just ruler. He invites the people to a great feast, and then proceeds to the Cathedral of the Archangel to kneel at the tombs of Russia's past rulers. The people wish Boris a long life ("Glory! Glory! Glory!"). A crowd breaks toward the cathedral. The police officers struggle to maintain order. The people resume their shouts of "Glory!" Image File history File links Cathedral_Square. ... Image File history File links Cathedral_Square. ... Cathedral Square in Moscow, veduta by Quarenghi, 1797. ... The Moscow Kremlin (Russian: Московский Кремль) is a historic fortified complex at the very heart of Moscow, overlooking the Moskva River (to the south), Saint Basils Cathedral (often mistaken by westerners as the Kremlin) and Red Square (to the east) and the Alexander Garden (to the west). ... Cathedral of the Dormition, Moscow, in winter The Cathedral of the Dormition or Cathedral of the Assumption (in Russian, Uspensky Sobor (Успенский Собор)) is the name of several cathedrals in the world. ... Vasili IV of Russia (1552 – September 12, 1612) was the last Rurikid tsar of Russia between 1606 and 1610. ... A boyar (also spelled bojar) or bolyarin was a member of the highest rank of the feudal Russian, Romanian and Bulgarian aristocracy, second only to the ruling princes, from the tenth through the seventeenth century. ... A monologue, pronounced monolog, is a speech made by one person speaking his or her thoughts aloud or directly addressing a reader, audience, or character. ... The Cathedral of the Archangel (Russian: Архангельский собор, or Arhangelsky sobor) is the name of several cathedrals in Russia. ... At different times, a ruler in Kievan Rus/Rus principalities/Imperial Russia bore the title of Kniaz (translated as Duke or Prince), Velikiy Kniaz (translated as Grand Duke, Grand Prince or Great Prince), Tsar, Emperor. ...

A Cell in the Chudov Monastery [within the Moscow Kremlin] (1603). Pimen, an aged monk, writes a chronicle ("Yet one last tale") of Russian history. The young novice Grigoriy awakes from a horrible (and prophetic) dream, which he relates to Pimen, in which he climbed a high tower, was mocked by the people of Moscow, and fell. Pimen advises him to fast and pray. Grigoriy voices his regret that he retired so soon from worldly affairs to become a monk. He envies Pimen's early life of adventure. Pimen speaks approvingly of Ivan the Terrible and his son Fyodor, who both exhibited great spiritual devotion, and draws a contrast with Boris, a regicide. [At Grigoriy's request, Pimen tells the vivid details of the scene of the murder of Dmitry Ivanovich, which he witnessed in Uglich.] Upon discovering the similarity in age between himself and the murdered Tsarevich, Grigoriy immediately conceives the idea of posing as the Pretender. As Pimen departs for Matins, Grigoriy declares that Boris shall escape neither the judgment of the people, nor that of God. The Ascension Convent in 1882 The Chudov Monastery (also known as Alexius’ Archangel Michael Monastery) was founded in the Kremlin in 1358 by metropolitan Alexius. ... Ivan IV (August 25, 1530–March 18, 1584) was the first ruler of Russia to assume the title of tsar. ... Feodor presents a golden chain to Boris Godunov. ... For other uses, see Regicide (disambiguation). ... Dmitry Ivanovich, also known as Dmitry of Uglich and Dmitry of Moscow (Дмитрий Иванович, Дмитрий Угличский, Дмитрий Московский in Russian) (October 19, 1582 — May 15, 1591) was a Russian tsarevich, son of Ivan the Terrible and Maria Nagaya. ... Transfiguration cathedral in the kremlin Uglich (Russian: У́глич, pronounced ooglitch) is a historic town in Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia, on the Volga River. ... Tsar, (Bulgarian цар�, Russian царь; often spelled Czar or Tzar in English), was the title used for the autocratic rulers of the First and Second Bulgarian Empires since 913, in Serbia in the middle of the 14th century, and in Russia from 1547 to 1917. ... This article is about pretender as applied to a monarchy. ... For the Anglican service of Mattins see Morning Prayer Matins is the early morning prayer service in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox liturgies of the canonical hours. ...

Shishkov's design for the Inn Scene (1870)

An Inn on the Lithuanian Border (1603). There is a brief orchestral introduction based on three prominent themes from this scene. [The Hostess enters and sings the 'Song of the Drake' ("I have caught a gray drake"). It is interrupted towards the end by approaching voices.] The vagrants Varlaam and Misail, who are begging for alms, and their companion Grigoriy, who is in secular garb, arrive and enter. After exchanging greetings, the rascally Varlaam requests some wine. When the Hostess returns with a bottle, he drinks and launches into a ferocious song ("It happened in the city of Kazan") of Ivan the Terrible's siege of Kazan. The two monks quickly become tipsy, and soon begin to doze. Grigoriy quietly asks the Hostess for directions to the Lithuanian border. Policemen appear in search of a fugitive heretic monk (Grigoriy) who has run off from the Chudov Monastery declaring that he will become Tsar in Moscow. Noticing Varlaam's suspicious behavior, the lead policeman thinks he has found his man. He cannot read the edict he is carrying, however, so Grigoriy volunteers to read it. He does so, but, eyeing Varlaam carefully, he substitutes Varlaam's description for his own. The policemen quickly seize Varlaam, who protests his innocence and asks to read the edict. He haltingly reads the description of the suspect, which of course matches Grigoriy. Grigoriy brandishes a dagger, and leaps out of the window. The men set off in pursuit. Image File history File links Shishkov_-_Inn. ... Image File history File links Shishkov_-_Inn. ... Ivan IV (August 25, 1530–March 18, 1584) was the first ruler of Russia to assume the title of tsar. ... Kazan (Russian: ; Tatar: Qazan, Казан) is the capital city of the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, and one of Russias largest cities. ... The Ascension Convent in 1882 The Chudov Monastery (also known as Alexius’ Archangel Michael Monastery) was founded in the Kremlin in 1358 by metropolitan Alexius. ...

The Interior of the Tsar's Terem in the Moscow Kremlin (1604). Kseniya, clutching a portrait of her betrothed who has died, sings a brief aria ("Where are you, my bridegroom?"). Her nurse and brother Fyodor attempt to cheer her up with some songs ("A gnat was chopping wood" and "A song of this and that"). Boris suddenly enters in an agitated state, briefly consoles Kseniya, and then sends her and her nurse to their own quarters. After encouraging his son to resume his studies, he gives vent to his emotions in a long and fine monologue ("I have attained supreme power"). At the end of this aria he reveals that he has been disturbed by a vision of a bloody child begging for mercy. A commotion breaks out in his children's quarters. Boris sends Fyodor to ascertain the nature of the disturbance. The boyar-in-attendance brings word of the arrival of Prince Shuysky, and reports a denunciation against him for his intrigues. Fyodor returns to relate the whimsical tale ("Our little parrot was sitting") of his pet parrot's escape. Boris advises Fyodor to beware of evil and cunning advisor's such as Shuysky when he becomes Tsar. Shuysky enters just at that moment, bearing grave tidings. A Pretender has appeared in Lithuania. Boris angrily demands to know his identity. Shuysky fears the Pretender might attract a following bearing the name of Dmitriy. Shaken by this revelation, Boris dismisses Fyodor. Clearly on the edge of madness, he asks Shuysky whether he has ever heard of dead children rising from their graves to interrogate Tsars. Boris wants Shuysky's assurance that the dead child he had seen in Uglich was really Dmitriy. Shuysky confirms this in a brief and beautiful aria ("In Uglich, in the cathedral"). But he gives hints that a miracle has occurred. Boris begins choking in a paroxysm of guilt and remorse, and gives a sign for Shuysky to depart. A clock begins chiming. Boris hallucinates (Hallucination or 'Clock' Scene). The spectre of the dead Dmitriy reaches out to him. Addressing the apparition, he denies his responsibility for the crime: "Begone, begone child! Not I... the will of the people!" He collapses, praying that God will have mercy on his guilty soul. The construction of the Terem Palace in the Moscow Kremlin began in the period 1635-1636. ... The Moscow Kremlin (Russian: Московский Кремль) is a historic fortified complex at the very heart of Moscow, overlooking the Moskva River (to the south), Saint Basils Cathedral (often mistaken by westerners as the Kremlin) and Red Square (to the east) and the Alexander Garden (to the west). ... Assassination of Feodor II (1862). ... A monologue, pronounced monolog, is a speech made by one person speaking his or her thoughts aloud or directly addressing a reader, audience, or character. ... Vasili IV of Russia (1552 – September 12, 1612) was the last Rurikid tsar of Russia between 1606 and 1610. ... This article is about pretender as applied to a monarchy. ... Tsarevich Demetrius (1899), by Mikhail Nesterov. ... Transfiguration cathedral in the kremlin Uglich (Russian: У́глич, pronounced ooglitch) is a historic town in Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia, on the Volga River. ... St. ...

Shishkov's design for the Scene in Marina's Boudoir (1870)

Marina's Boudoir in Sandomir, Poland (1604). Maidens sing a delicate, sentimental song ("On the blue Vistula") to entertain Marina as her chambermaid dresses her hair. Marina declares her preference for heroic songs of chivalry. She dismisses everyone. Alone, she sings of her boredom ("How tedious and dull"), of Dmitriy, and of her thirst for adventure, power, and glory. The Jesuit Rangoni enters and attempts to obtain Marina's promise that when she becomes Tsaritsa she will convert the heretics of Moscow (Russian Orthodox Church) to the true faith (Roman Catholicism). When Marina wonders why this should be her burden, Rangoni angrily declares that she shall stop short of nothing, including sacrificing her honor, to obey the dictates of the church. Marina expresses contempt of his hypocritical insinuations and demands he leave. As Rangoni ominously tells her she is in the thrall of infernal forces, Marina collapses in dread. Rangoni demands her obedience. Image File history File links Shishkov_-_Marina's_Boudoir. ... Image File history File links Shishkov_-_Marina's_Boudoir. ... Sandomierz is a town in south-eastern Poland with 27,000 inhabitants (1995). ... The Vistula (Polish: ) is with 1,047 kilometers (678 miles) the longest river in Poland. ... The Society of Jesus (Latin: Societas Iesu), commonly known as the Jesuits, is a Roman Catholic religious order. ... A Tsaritsa (Цари́ца), also called tsarina, czarina, or czaritsa, was the title of Tsars wife or a female autocratic ruler(monarch) of Russia or Bulgaria. ... Look up Heretic in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (Russian: ), also known as the Orthodox Christian Church of Russia, is that body of Christians who are united under the Patriarch of Moscow, who in turn is in communion with the other patriarchs and primates of the Eastern Orthodox Church. ... The Roman Catholic Church, most often spoken of simply as the Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with over one billion members. ...

Shishkov's design for the Scene in the Garden of Mniszech's Castle (1870)

Mniszech's Castle in Sandomir. A Garden. A Fountain. A Moonlit Night (1604). Shimmering strings and harp accompany a pensive version of the 'Dmitriy Motif'. The Pretender dreams of an assignation with Marina in the garden of her father's castle. However, to his annoyance, Rangoni finds him . However, he brings news from Marina. She begs to speak with him. The Pretender resolves to throw himself at Marina's feet, begging her to be his wife and Tsaritsa. He entreats Rangoni to lead him to Marina. Rangoni, however, first wants the Pretender to consider him a father, allowing him to follow his every step and thought. The Pretender agrees not to part from him if he will only allow him to see Marina. Rangoni convinces the Pretender to hide as the Polish nobles issue from the castle dancing a polonaise (Polonaise). Marina flirts, dancing on the arm of an older man. The Poles sing of taking the Muscovite throne, defeating the army of Boris, and capturing him. They return to the castle. The Pretender comes out of hiding. Marina appears and calls to him. He is lovesick. She, however, only wants to know when he will be Tsar, and declares she can only be seduced by a throne and a crown. The Pretender kneels at her feet. She tells him to be off, and calls him a lackey. Having reached his limit, he tells her he will depart the next day to lead his army to Moscow and to his father's throne. Furthermore, as Tsar he will take pleasure in watching her come crawling back looking for her own lost throne, and will command everyone to laugh at her. She quickly changes her tune, and as they sing a duet ("O Tsarevich, I implore you"), she tells him she loves him. Rangoni slithers out of hiding to savor his accomplishment. Image File history File links Shishkov_-_Night_Garden_Fountain. ... Image File history File links Shishkov_-_Night_Garden_Fountain. ... Typical rhythm of a Polonaise For a robe à la polonaise, see Polonaise (clothing). ...

The Square before the Cathedral of Vasiliy the Blessed in Moscow (1605). A crowd mills about before the Cathedral of the Intercession (Vasiliy the Blessed) in Red Square. Many are beggars, and policemen occasionally appear. A group of men enters, discussing the anathema the deacon had declared on Grishka (Grigoriy) Otrepyev in the mass. They identify Grishka as being the Tsarevich. With growing excitement they sing of the advance of his forces to Kromï, of his intent to retake his father's throne, and of the death he will mete out to the Godunovs. A yuródivïy enters, pursued by urchins. He sings a nonsensical song ("The moon is flying, the kitten is crying"). The boys (urchins) greet him and rap on his metal hat. The yuródivïy has a kopek, which the urchins promptly steal. He whines pathetically. The Tsar's retinue issues from the Cathedral. The boyars distribute alms. In a powerful chorus ("Benefactor father (Give us bread)"), the hungry people beg for bread. As the chorus subsides, the yuródivïy's cries are heard. Boris asks why he cries. The yuródivïy reports the theft of his kopek and asks Boris to order the boys' slaughter, just as he did in the case of the Tsarevich. Shuysky wants the yuródivïy seized, but Boris instead asks for the holy man's prayers. As Boris exits, the yurodivïy declares he cannot pray for Tsar Herod. The yuródivïy then sings his lament ("Flow, flow, bitter tears!") about the fate of Russia. St. ... St Basils Cathedral Saint Basil or Vasily (known also as Vasily Blazhenny, Basil Fool for Christ or Basil the Blessed) is a Russian Orthodox saint born to serfs in 1469 in Yelokhov, near Moscow. ... For other uses, see Red Square (disambiguation). ... Anathema (in Greek Ανάθεμα) meaning originally something lifted up as an offering to the gods; later, with evolving meanings, it came to mean: to be formally set apart, banished, exiled, excommunicated or denounced, sometimes accursed. ... Deacon is a role in the Christian Church which is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions. ... False Dmitry I (ruled 1605-1606) was one of three pretenders to the Russian throne who claimed to be the youngest son of Ivan the Terrible, tsarevich Dmitry Ivanovich, who had miraculously escaped the assasination attempt. ... The yurodivy (accented on the second syllable, юро́дивый) is the Russian version of the holy fool. ... ISO 4217 Code RUB User(s) Russia and self-proclaimed Abkhazia and South Ossetia Inflation 7% Source Rosstat, 2007 Subunit 1/100 kopek (копейка) Symbol руб kopek (копейка) к Plural The language(s) of this currency is of the Slavic languages. ... Alms Bag taken from some Tapestry in Orleans, Fifteenth Century. ...

Shishkov's design for the Palace of Facets Scene (1870)

The Palace of Facets in the Moscow Kremlin (1605). A session of the Duma is in progress. [The assembled boyars listen as Shchelkalov informs them of the Pretender's advance and requests they decide his fate.] After some arguments, the boyars agree ("Well, let's put it to a vote, boyars"), in a powerful chorus, that the Pretender and his sympathizers should be executed. Shuysky, whom they distrust, arrives with an interesting story. Upon leaving the Tsar's presence, he observed Boris attempting to drive away the ghost of the dead Tsarevich, exclaiming: "Begone, begone child!" The boyars accuse Shuysky of spreading lies. However, just at that moment, Boris enters, echoing Shuysky: "Begone child!" The boyars are horrified. After Boris comes to his senses, Shuysky informs him that a humble old man craves an audience. Pimen enters and tells the story ("One day, at the evening hour") of a blind man who heard the voice of the Tsarevich in a dream. Dmitry instructed him to go to Uglich and pray at his grave, for he has become a miracle worker in heaven. The man did as instructed and regained his sight. This story is the final blow for Boris. He calls for his son, declares he is dying ("Farewell, my son, I am dying"), and gives him final counsel. In a very dramatic and moving scene ("The bell! The funeral bell!"), he dies. Image File history File links Shishkov_-_Palace_of_Facets. ... Image File history File links Shishkov_-_Palace_of_Facets. ... The Palace of the Facets (Грановитая Палата) is part of what is now known as the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia. ... The Moscow Kremlin (Russian: Московский Кремль) is a historic fortified complex at the very heart of Moscow, overlooking the Moskva River (to the south), Saint Basils Cathedral (often mistaken by westerners as the Kremlin) and Red Square (to the east) and the Alexander Garden (to the west). ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with State Duma. ... Vasily Yakovlevich Shchelkalov (Василий Яковлевич Щелкалов in Russian) (? – 1610 or 1611) and Andrey Yakovlevich Shchelkalov (Андрей Яковлевич Щелкалов) (? - c. ... This article is about pretender as applied to a monarchy. ... Vasili IV of Russia (1552 – September 12, 1612) was the last Rurikid tsar of Russia between 1606 and 1610. ... Transfiguration cathedral in the kremlin Uglich (Russian: У́глич, pronounced ooglitch) is a historic town in Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia, on the Volga River. ...

A Forest Glade near Kromï (1605). Tempestuous music accompanies the entry of a crowd of vagabonds who have captured the boyar Khrushchov. The crowd taunts him, then bows in mock homage ("Not a falcon flying in the heavens"). The yuródivïy enters, pursued by urchins. He sings a nonsensical song ("The moon is flying, the kitten is crying"). The urchins greet him and rap on his metal hat. The yuródivïy has a kopek, which the urchins promptly steal. He whines pathetically. Varlaam and Misail are heard in the distance singing of the crimes of Boris and his henchmen ("The sun and moon have gone dark"). They enter. The crowd gets worked up to a frenzy ("Broken free, gone on a rampage") denouncing Boris. Two Jesuits are heard in the distance chanting in Latin ("Domine, Domine, salvum fac"), praying that God will save Dmitriy. They enter. At the instigation of Varlaam and Misail, the vagabonds prepare to hang the Jesuits, who appeal to the Holy Virgin for aid. Processional music heralds the arrival of Dmitriy and his forces. Varlaam and Misail evidently do not recognize him as the companion they chased into Lithuania, and glorify him ("Glory to thee, Tsarevich!") along with the crowd. The Pretender calls those persecuted by Godunov to his side. He frees Khrushchov, and calls on all to march on Moscow. All exeunt except the Yuródivïy, who sings a plaintive song ("Flow, flow, bitter tears!") of the arrival of the enemy, of darkness coming, and of woe to Russia. The yurodivy (accented on the second syllable, юро́дивый) is the Russian version of the holy fool. ...

A citation from the closing bars of the opera (1872 version). The inscription is a line from the yurodivïy's lament:
«Скоро враг придёт и настанет тьма»
"Soon the enemy will arrive and darkness will come"

Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 246 pixelsFull resolution (2529 × 777 pixel, file size: 393 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Mussorgsky_Letter105_To_Stasov_1. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 246 pixelsFull resolution (2529 × 777 pixel, file size: 393 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Mussorgsky_Letter105_To_Stasov_1. ...

Principal arias and numbers

• Chorus: «На кого ты нас покидаешь, отец наш!» "To whom dost thou abandon us, our father!" (People)
• Aria: «Православные! Неумолим боярин!» "Orthodox folk! The boyar is implacable!" (Shchelkalov)
• Chorus: «Уж как на небе солнцу красному» "Like the glory of the beautiful sun in the sky" (People)
• Monologue: «Скорбит душа» "My soul grieves" (Boris)
• Chorus: «Слава! Слава! Слава!» "Glory! Glory! Glory!" (People)
• Aria: «Еще одно, последнее сказанье» "Yet one last tale" (Pimen)
• Song: «Как во городе было во Казани» "It happened in the city of Kazan" (Varlaam)
• Monologue: «Достиг я высшей власти» "I have attained supreme power" (Boris)
• Scene: «Сцена с курантами» "Hallucination" or "Clock Scene" (Boris)
• Aria: «Как томительно и вяло» "How tedious and dull" (Marina)
• Dance: «Полонез» "Polonaise" (Marina, Polish nobles)
• Duet: «О царевич, умоляю» "O Tsarevich, I implore you" (Marina, Dmitry)
• Chorus: «Что ж? Пойдём на голоса, бояре» "Well, let's put it to a vote, boyars" (Boyars)
• Aria: «Однажды, в вечерний час» "One day, at the evening hour" (Pimen)
• Aria: «Прощай, мой сын!» "Farewell, my son, I am dying" (Boris)
• Scene: «Звон! Погребальный звон! » "The bell! The funeral bell!" (Boris, Fyodor, Chorus)
• Song: «Лейтесь, лейтесь, слёзы горькие!» "Flow, flow, bitter tears!" (Yurodivïy)

Versions by other hands

Fyodor Shalyapin (Chaliapin) was a powerful exponent of the Rimsky-Korsakov version, which launched Boris Godunov in the world's opera houses. Portrait by Aleksandr Golovin.

"I worship Boris Godunov and hate it. I worship it for its originality, power, boldness, independence, and beauty. I hate it for its shortcomings, the roughness of its harmonies, the incoherences in the music." Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The Russian opera singer Feodor Ivanovich Chaliapin () (February 13 (February 1, Old Style), 1873–April 12, 1938) was the most famous bass in the first half of the 20th century. ... Alexander Yakovlevich Golovin (March 1 [O.S. February 17] 1863, Moscow - 17 April 1930, Detskoye Selo) was an important Russian artist and stage designer who designed sets for many productions by Sergei Diaghilev. ...

—Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

"Although I know I shall be cursed for so doing, I will revise Boris. There are countless absurdities in its harmonies, and at times in its melodies."

—Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

After Mussorgsky's death in 1881, his friend Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov undertook to put his scores in order, completing Khovanshchina, reconstructing Night on Bald Mountain, and "correcting" some songs. Next, he turned to Boris. Nikolai Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov Nikolai Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov (Russian: , Nikolaj Andreevič Rimskij-Korsakov), also Nikolay, Nicolai, and Rimsky-Korsakoff, (March 6 (N.S. March 18), 1844 – June 8 (N.S. June 21) 1908) was a Russian composer, one of five Russian composers known as The Five, and was later a... Modest Mussorgsky in 1876 Khovanshchina (Russian: , Hovánščina, sometimes rendered The Khovansky Affair) is an opera (subtitled a national music drama) in five acts by Modest Mussorgsky. ... Modest Mussorgsky A Night on Bald Mountain usually refers to one of two compositions – either a seldom performed early (1867) musical picture by Modest Mussorgsky, (Russian: , Ivanova noch na lïsoy gore), or a later (1886) and very popular fantasy for orchestra by Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov, A Night on the...

He experimented first with the Polonaise, scoring it for a Wagner-sized orchestra in 1888. In 1892 he revised the Coronation Scene, and completed the remainder of the opera in the 1874 Vocal Score, although with significant cuts, by 1896. He later completed another revision in 1908, this time restoring the cuts, adding some music to the Coronation Scene (because Diaghilev wanted more stage spectacle for the Paris premiere), and replacing the ending of Act III. These revisions went beyond mere reorchestration. He made substantial modifications to harmony, melody, dynamics, etc., even changing the order of scenes. Sergei Pavlovich Diaghilev (Сергей Павлович Дягилев) (March 19, 1872 – August 19, 1929), often known as Serge, was a Russian ballet impresario and founder of the Ballets Russes from which many famous...

"Having arranged the new version of Boris Godunov I had not destroyed its original form, had not painted out the old frescoes forever. If ever the conclusion is arrived at that the original is better, worthier than my revision, then mine will be discarded and Boris Godunov will be performed according to the original score."

—Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

"Besides re-scoring Boris and correcting harmonies in it (which was quite justifiable), he [Rimsky-Korsakov] introduced in it many arbitrary alterations, which disfigured the music. He also spoilt the opera by changing the order of scenes."

—Mily Balakirev

"Maybe Rimsky-Korsakov's harmonies are softer and more natural, his part-writing better, his scoring more skillful; but the result is not Mussorgsky, nor what Mussorgsky aimed at. The genuine music, with all its shortcomings, was more appropriate. I regret the genuine Boris, and feel that should it ever be revived on the stage of the Mariinskiy Theatre, it is desirable that it should be in the original."

—César Cui

Rimsky-Korsakov has come under fire from some critics for altering Boris. The defense usually made by his supporters is that without his ministrations, Mussorgsky's opera would have faded from the repertory due to difficulty in appreciating his raw and uncompromising idiom. Therefore, Rimsky-Korsakov was justified in making improvements to keep the work alive and increase the public's awareness of Mussorgsky's melodic and dramatic genius. The validity of this argument cannot be proven.

It must be admitted that some listeners simply find Rimsky-Korsakov's glossy version more aesthetically pleasing. His version of Boris Godunov remained the one usually performed in Russia, even after Mussorgsky's earthier original (1872) re-established itself in the West.

Boris Godunov was also edited by Dmitriy Shostakovich in 1939–1940. He confined himself largely to reorchestrating the opera, and was more respectful of the composer's unique melodic and harmonic style. However, Shostakovich greatly increased the contributions of the woodwind and especially brass instruments to the score, a significant departure from the practice of Mussorgsky, who exercised great restraint in his instrumentation, preferring to utilize the individual qualities of these instruments for specific purposes. Dmitri Shostakovich   (Russian: , Dmitrij Dmitrievič Å ostakovič) (September 25 [O.S. September 12] 1906–August 9, 1975) was a Russian composer of the Soviet period. ...

Discography

Most recent recordings of Boris Godunov (circa last 25 years) use the composer’s 1872 version as a base. Classic recordings of yesteryear use the Rimsky-Korsakov version of 1908.

The following list contains all major studio recordings of the opera. Although some of these may be live, broadcast recordings are not included. An exhaustive list of all known recordings of Boris Godunov may be found here.

Audio Recordings

Video Recordings Mark Reizen Mark Osipovich Reizen, or Reisen (Russian: Ма́рк О́сипович Ре́йзен, born Zaitsevo village, near Lugansk, Ukraine July 3, [OS June 21] 1895 – died November 25, 1992 Moscow) was Russian and Ukrainian opera singer, lyrical bass. ... Boris Christoff Boris Christoff (Bulgarian: ) (May 18, 1914, Plovdiv, Bulgaria – June 28, 1993, Rome, Italy) was a Bulgarian opera singer, one of the greatest basses of the 20th century. ... George London (May 30, 1919–March 24, 1985) was a Canadian-born concert and operatic baritone. ... Nicolai Ghiaurov (13 September 1929–2 June 2004) was a Bulgarian opera singer and probably the most famous bass of the postwar period. ... Martti Talvela (born in Hittola, Finland February 4, 1935 – died in Juva, Finland July 22, 1989) was a Finnish operatic bass. ... Aage Haugland (February 1, 1944 - December 23, 2000) was a Danish operatic bass. ... Ruggero Raimondi, born October 3, 1941, is an Italian Bass-baritone opera singer and sometime screen actor. ...

Historical Notes Robert Andrew Lloyd (born 2 March 1940 in Southend-on-Sea, Essex) is an English bass singer. ... Matti Salminen (Born July 7, 1945, in Turku) is a Finnish bass singer. ...

• Fyodor Shalyapin (Chaliapin) made several recordings of individual arias that are of important historical interest. These date from 1911, 1922, 1923, 1928, and 1931, and were made with various conductors and orchestras.

• The first full length recording of the opera is the 1939 performance by Panizza and the New York Metropolitan Opera, with Pinza as Boris, sung in Italian.

• The first full length recording in Russian is that of 1948 by Golovanov and the Bolshoy, with Reyzen.

• Performances using the Rathaus orchestration were captured in 1953 with Stiedry and London, 1954 with Stiedry and Siepi, and in 1956 with Mitropoulos and London. All are performed with the New York Metropolitan Opera and are sung in English.

• The composer's own version was first captured in a performance in 1957 under Jochum and the Symphonieorchester des Bayrischen Rundfunks, with Hotter as Boris, sung in German.

• The Shostakovich orchestration of the 1869 Original Version of Act II was first recorded by Boris Shtokolov under Yeltsin and the Kirov Theater Orchestra in 1959.

The Russian opera singer Feodor Ivanovich Chaliapin () (February 13 (February 1, Old Style), 1873–April 12, 1938) was the most famous bass in the first half of the 20th century. ... Ezio Pinza The Italian bass Ezio Pinza (18 May 1892 - 9 May 1957) was one of the outstanding opera singers of the first half of the 20th century. ... Cesare Siepi (February 10th, 1923 - ) is generally considered one of the finest operatic basses of the post-war period. ... Hans Hotter (January 19, 1909 – December 8, 2003) was a German operatic bass-baritone, admired internationally after World War II for the power, beauty and intelligence of his singing, especially in Wagners masterpieces. ... Boris Shtokolov (Russian: Борис Тимофеевич Штоколов) (March 19, 1930 - January 6, 2005) was a famous Soviet and Russian singer, one of the greatest basses of the 20th century. ...

References

• Calvocoressi, M.D., Abraham, G., Mussorgsky, 'Master Musicians' Series, London: J.M.Dent & Sons, Ltd., 1946
• Calvocoressi, M.D., Modest Mussorgsky: His Life and Works, London: Rockliff, 1956
• Rimsky-Korsakov, N., Chronicle of My Musical Life, New York: Knopf, 1923

Michel Dimitri Calvocoressi (1877-10-02 in Marseilles, France – 1944-02-01 in London, United Kingdom) was a music writer and music critic of Greek descent. ...

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Boris Godunov (opera)

Score Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... The Wikimedia Commons (also called Wikicommons) is a repository of free content images, sound and other multimedia files. ...

• Public Domain Scores of Boris Godunov at IMSLP

Libretto

• Russian libretto in HTML
• Russian libretto in zip file for Word

Video Samples

• Prologue, Scene I Shchelkalov's aria (RK version) Youtube video
• Prologue, Scene II monologue; Petrov (RK version) Youtube video
• Prologue, Scene II monologue; Pinza (RK version) Youtube video
• Act I, Scene I; Nelepp. Mikhailov (RK version) Youtube video
• Act II monologue; Pirogov (RK version) Youtube video
• Act II monologue; Nesterenko (RK version) Youtube video
• Act II; Petrov, Sokolov (RK version) Youtube video
• Act II Hallucination Scene; Ognivtsev (RK version) Youtube video
• Act III, Scene II; Nelepp, Maksakova? (RK version) Youtube video
• Act III, Scene II duet; Obraztsova, Tolstukhov (RK version) Youtube video
• Act IV 'St. Basil' Scene (Ippolitov-Ivanov version) Youtube video
• Act IV 'St. Basil' Scene; Kozlovsky, Pirogov (Ippolitov-Ivanov version) Youtube video
• Act IV Farewell and death; Nesterenko (RK version) Youtube video
• Act IV Farewell and death; Pirogov (RK version) Youtube video
• Act IV Farewell; Christoff (RK version) Youtube video

Sound Samples

• Act II monologue; Reyzen (RK version) Mp3 file

Other

• Upcoming performances of Boris Godunov from Operabase.com