Composer

:

Modest Mussorgsky

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1871 - 1872

Publication Date

:

1874

First Performance

:

Feb 8, 1874

Average_duration

:

186:37

Boris Godunov is an opera composed by Modest Mussorgsky in 1872. The plot is based on the historical figure Boris Godunov, who ruled Russia from 1598 to 1605. The opera is set in the late 16th century and tells the story of Boris, who becomes Tsar of Russia after the death of Ivan the Terrible. However, Boris is plagued by guilt over his role in Ivan's death and is haunted by the specter of the murdered prince Dmitry, who may or may not be alive and plotting to overthrow him. The opera is divided into seven scenes, each of which is marked by a different musical style and mood. The first scene is a prologue, in which a group of monks sing a hymn to God, asking for his mercy and forgiveness. The second scene takes place in the Kremlin, where Boris is crowned Tsar. The music is grand and majestic, reflecting the pomp and ceremony of the occasion. In the third scene, Boris is visited by a group of boyars who urge him to take the throne and protect Russia from foreign invaders. The music is somber and mournful, reflecting the weight of Boris's guilt and the burden of his new responsibilities. In the fourth scene, Boris is visited by the Holy Fool, who taunts him with accusations of murder and predicts his downfall. The fifth scene takes place in a Polish inn, where a group of exiles plot to overthrow Boris and put the false Dmitry on the throne. The music is lively and energetic, reflecting the conspirators' excitement and enthusiasm. In the sixth scene, Boris is visited by the ghost of Dmitry, who accuses him of murder and drives him to madness. The music is eerie and unsettling, reflecting the supernatural nature of the encounter. The final scene takes place in the Kremlin, where Boris dies of a stroke. The music is mournful and reflective, as the people of Russia mourn the passing of their beloved Tsar. The opera ends with a reprise of the hymn from the prologue, as the monks pray for Boris's soul. Boris Godunov premiered at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg on January 27, 1874. Mussorgsky's original version of the opera was heavily revised by Rimsky-Korsakov and other composers after his death, but the 1872 version is still considered the most authentic and powerful. The opera is known for its innovative use of Russian folk melodies and its vivid portrayal of the psychological turmoil of its characters.

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