Boris Godunov
Boris Godunov is one of opera's towering masterpieces, Mussorgsky's exploration of power, guilt, and madness. This 1991 Sofia National Opera production conducted by Emil Tchakarov features strong singing throughout and brings clarity to Mussorgsky's bold orchestrations and irregular harmonies. Nicolai Ghiaurov commands the title role with vocal authority and dramatic depth, providing the psychological insight the role demands. The supporting cast is uniformly strong. Mussorgsky's harmonic language was revolutionary for the nineteenth century, and Tchakarov allows the strange beauty of the music to emerge without over-conducting. The excellent recording captures the opera's dark power and the chorus's essential role in creating its atmosphere of tragedy.
Item Details+
| Genre | Classical |
| Style | Opera Romantic |
| Notes | Mint (NM or M-) Good Plus (VG+) Booklet included. |
| Media | Near Mint (NM or M-) |
| Sleeve | Very Good Plus (VG+) |
| Label | Sony Classical |
| Year | 1991 |
| Country | Europe |
| Format | 3xCD |
Tracklist+
. Boris Godunov, Opera
1-1. Prologue
. Scene One
1-2. Police-Officer: Well Then, What's Wrong With You?
1-3. The People (Chorus): Who Are You Abandoning Us To
1-4. The People: Who Are You Abandoning Us To
1-5. Shchelkalov: Orthodox Folk! The Boyar Is Implacable
1-6. Chorus Of Wandering Minstrels: Glory To Thee, Creator On High
1-7. The People: Did You Hear What The Godfearing Folk Said?
. Scene Two
1-8. Beginning
1-9. Prince Shuisky: Long Live Tsar Boris Feodorovich!
1-10. Boris: My Soul Is Sad
1-11. The People: Glory! Glory! Glory!
. Act 1
. Scene One
1-12. Beginning
1-13. Pimen: Just One More Final Story
1-14. The Monks: Oh Lord, Strong And Righteous
1-15. Pimen: Do Not Complain, Brother
1-16. Grigory: For A Long Time, Honoured Father
1-17. Pimen: I Arrived At Night
1-18. Grigory: How Old Was The Murdered Tsarevich?
1-19. Pimen: They Are Ringing For Matins
. Scene Two
1-20. Beginning
1-21. Hostess: I Caught A Grey Drake
1-22. Hostess: Give Me Some Fun
1-23. Varlaam: Why Have You Fallen Into Thought, Comrade?
1-24. Varlaam: Here's What Happened At The Town Of Kazan
1-25. Varlaam: Why Don't You Sing Along?
1-26. Varlaam And Missail: We Are Humble Elders, Honest Monks
1-27. Varlaam: What Are You Staring At Me Like That For?
. Act 2
2-1. Beginning - Xenia: Where Are You, My Betrothed
2-2. Nurse: Oh That's Enough, Princess, My Dear!
2-3. Boris: What's The Matter?
2-4. Boris: I Have Achieved Absolute Power
2-5. Nannies: Hey, Pss!
2-6. Shuisky: Your Honourable Majesty, My Greetings
2-7. Shuisky: In Uglich, In The Cathedral
2-8. Boris: Phew! I Feel Terrible!
. Act 3
. Scene One
2-9. Beginning - Chorus Of Girls: By The Skyblue Waters Of The Vistula
2-10. Marina: Enough!
2-11. Marina: Marina Is Bored
2-12. Marina: Ah! Oh, It's You, My Father
2-13. Rangoni: With Tender, Ardent Words Of Love
2-14. Marina: What? You Impudent Liar!
. Scene Two
2-15. Begging - Pretender: At Midnight... In The Garden
2-16. Entry Of Ragoni - Rangoni: Tsarevich!
2-17. Rangoni: Can A Humble And Sinful Man
2-18. Rangoni: Tsarevich, Hide!
2-19. Polonaise
2-20. Pretender: That Crafty Jesuit
. Scene Two (Continuation)
3-1. Pretender: How Long And Agonizing
3-2. Rangoni: Oh, My Turtledoves!
. Act 4
. Scene One (Original Version)
3-3. Beginning
3-4. Men: What, Is Mass Finished Already?
3-5. Crowf Of Boys: Trrr, Rrr, Rrr, Rrr!
3-6. Holy Simpleton: Aaah! Boris!
3-7. Holy Simpleton: Flow, Flow, Bitter Tears
. Scene One (Final Version)
3-8. Beginning
3-9. Shchelkalov: Exalted Boyars!
3-10. Boyars: Well Then? Let's Go And Vote
3-11. Boyars: What A Shame That Prince Shuisky Isn't Here
3-12. Shuisky: He Was Whispering 'Keep Away...'
3-13. Shuisky: Here, By The Front Entrance
3-14. Entry Of Pimen - Pimen: A Humble Monk
3-15. Pimen: Once, In The Evening
3-16. Pimen: ...Grave - Oh! I Can't Breathe! - Boris: Farewell, My Son, I Am Dying
. Scene Two
3-17. Beginning
3-18. Tramps: Bring Him Over Here!
3-19. Tramps: It's Not A Falcon Flying In The Heavens
3-20. Boys: Trrr, Rrr, Rrr, Rrr!
3-21. Holy Simpleton: Aah! Aah! - Missail And Varlaam: The Sun And Moon
3-22. Tramps: Hey Ho!
3-23. Lavitsky And Chernikovsky: Domine, Domine, Salvum Fac
3-24. March
3-25. Holy Simpleton: Flow, Flow, Bitter Tears!
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