Overview

Based on Pushkin’s narrative, the opera delves into the heart of the Russian Empire, through a political fable about the greatness and downfall of a reign. Boris Godunov, which premiered in 1869, embodies the intersection of collective history and personal destiny — between the fate of a nation and the intimate tragedy of its ruler. The story is brought to life by Russian composer Mussorgsky’s vivid music, directly inspired by the traditional folk music of his homeland.

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Programme

Conducted by Vitali Alekseenok and staged by Vasily Barkhatov

Co-produced by Opéra de Lyon, La Monnaie de Brussels, Staatsoper Hannover, and Abu Dhabi Festival

With dazzling solo voices and choral masses, and an orchestra full of unprecedented textures, the composer’s writing reveals itself in a play of contrasts, mirroring a story where the darkest aspects of power coexist with a father’s tenderness and a man’s inner turmoil.

World-renowned Russian bass Dmitry Ulyanov sings the part of Boris. Conducting the orchestra and shaping the production, two artists well known across Europe’s most prestigious venues make their French debuts: conductor Vitali Alekseenok and stage director Vasily Barkhatov. This is a story about individual and collective responsibility, presented with a scenography inspired by Lars von Trier’s Dogville.

_Language

Russian with French subtitles

Opera in 3 acts and 1 prologue (7 scenes)
Libretto by the composer, from the play by Alexander Pushkin

New production
A Lyon Opera, Royal Theatre of La Monnaie in Brussels, Abu Dhabi Festival, Staatsoper Hanovre co-production

Artists

An opera by Modest Mussorgsky
Musical Director: Vitali Alekseenok
Director: Vasily Barkhatov
Set Designer: Zinovy Margolin
Costume Designer: Olga Shaishmelashvili
Lighting Designer: Alexander Sivaev
Choir Director: Benedict Kearns

Cast:
Boris Godunov – Dmitry Ulyanov
Fyodor – Iurii Ilushkevich
Xenia – Eva Langeland Gjerde *
Xenia’s Nurse – Nadezhda Karyazina
Prince Vasily Ivanovich Shuysky – Sergey Polyakov
Andrey Shchelkalov – Alexander de Jong *
Pimen – Maxim Kuzmin-Karavaev
Grigoriy – Mihails Culpajevs
Varlaam – David Leigh
Misail / The Yuródivïy – Filipp Varik *
The Innkeeper – Jenny Anne Flory *
Nikititch – Hugo Santos *

Lyon Opera Orchestra, Choir and Maîtrise
*Lyon Opera Studio soloists