Boris Godunov finds himself accused of the unverifiable charge that he has had the rightful tsarevitch killed, so as to gain power over Russia himself. Instead of appearing in full command, at his coronation Boris already seems overcome with fear. After many years, the tsar takes stock of his rule and has to admit his political failure – he is directly to blame for his people’s misery and distress. Moreover, manipulators sow seeds of guilt in Boris’s mind, making him place the blame on himself for the death of the former tsarevitch and see himself as the wrongful bearer of the crown. No longer master of his reason, he falls victim to himself and to a conspiracy, which are his ruin.
Music drama in seven pictures by Modest P. Mussorgski First draft of 1869 Text by Modest P. Mussorgski after Alexander Puschkin and Nikolaj Karamsin in Russian with German surtitles
Running time 2 hours 45 minutes
Premiere 17 Dec 2008
Staging: Michael Hampe
Set Design and Costume Design: Carlo Tommasi
Lighting Design: Jan Seeger
