Composer

:

Modest Mussorgsky

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1868 - 1869

Publication Date

:

1975

First Performance

:

Feb 16, 1928

Average_duration

:

148:52

Movement_count

:

47

Movement ....

Boris Godunov is an opera composed by Modest Mussorgsky in 1869. 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 the Virgin Mary. The second scene takes place in the Kremlin, where Boris is crowned Tsar. The third scene is a monologue by Boris, in which he expresses his guilt and fear. The fourth scene is a comic interlude, in which a group of Polish nobles arrive at the Russian court and are mocked by the Russian people. The fifth scene is a confrontation between Boris and the pretender Dmitry, who claims to be the murdered prince. The sixth scene is a series of choral and solo pieces, in which the Russian people express their suffering and longing for a better life. The final scene is a dramatic confrontation between Boris and the pretender, which ends with Boris's death. The opera was composed in a style that was new and innovative for its time. Mussorgsky rejected the traditional Italian operatic style in favor of a more naturalistic and Russian style. He used folk melodies and rhythms, as well as unconventional harmonies and vocal techniques, to create a sense of realism and emotional depth. The opera is also notable for its use of choral music, which plays a prominent role throughout the work. Boris Godunov was first performed in St. Petersburg in 1874, five years after Mussorgsky's death. The premiere was a success, and the opera has since become one of the most popular and frequently performed works in the Russian operatic repertoire. The opera has been revised and adapted several times over the years, with the most famous version being the 1872 revision by Rimsky-Korsakov. However, many critics and scholars consider the original 1869 version to be the most authentic and powerful expression of Mussorgsky's vision.

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