Opera-lovers await Bolshoi's "Boris Godunov"

One of the most anticipated Russian premieres of the year will take place this Wednesday.  The Bolshoi Theatre will present on open a new production of Boris Godunov, one of Russia's most famous operas.

It's based on Aleksandr Pushkin's drama, and this time it is directed by Aleksandr Sokurov and conducted by Aleksandr Vedernikov.

Set in Russia during the late 16th century, the Time of Trouble, it portrays national mentality rather than the phenomena of leadership and power.

In this opera political turmoil and fighting for the throne serve as a pretext to describe the reality of the past. Boris Godunov is a true-to life historical drama about people.

“My performance is about happy people, there are no tragic characters in it,” challenged Aleksandr Sokurov, stage Director.

For many characters in Pushkin's drama, including Boris Godunov, action speaks louder than words. Godunov is one of the most controversial power players of the past.

He becomes Tsar after murdering young heir Dmitry. However, he is tortured by the idea that he might be alive. In the long run, intrigue, and feelings of guilt and helplessness bring the once powerful Tsar Boris to madness and death.

Up to 3000 people worked on the Bolshoi's new production. 300 actors have taken part in it. Modest Mussorgsky's historical epic directed by famed filmmaker Alexander Sokurov promises to be one of the most impressive productions of the year.

Sokurov has never directed an opera before. Unlike many other contemporary performances this one is conservative in the good sense of the word.

“I was trying to make a performance that could be a just link in the tradition of the Russian classical opera. There are no innovations in this opera as this genre is new to me and I do not know yet if I shall continue to work in opera in the future,” pondered Aleksandr Sokurov.

Boris Godunov is probably one of the most famous Russian operas. It is also the champion in the number of versions in which it has being staged. The Bolshoi's Godunov is the sixth since 1888 when the opera first appeared in its repertoire.

The composer Modest Mussorgsky completed the opera in 1869 but later changed some scenes. Now some musicologists say the final version is probably more intricate than the original one.  

The scenery by Yury Kuper is fascinating. The 960 costumes by the designer Pavel Kaplevich are eye-catching.

“I had two dreams in my life: to work on a ballet or an opera at the Bolshoi Theatre and to work with Aleksandr Sokurov. Now both of these dreams happened to come true,” confessed Pavel Kaplevich.