This Saturday at 1:00 p.m., WHRO-FM 90.3 invites you to return to the Royal Ballet and Opera Covent Garden of London for a performance of Modest Mussorgsky’s extraordinarily dark and powerful opera “Boris Godunov.”
Misunderstood and far ahead of its time, the opera was initially rejected by the Imperial Theatre in St. Petersburg because it broke almost every convention of 19th-century grand opera. The official criticism was that the opera lacked a substantial female role, a serious flaw at a time when audiences expected a celebrated prima donna and, almost inevitably, a love story. Instead, Mussorgsky created a gripping political and psychological drama. Boris Godunov, who has seized the Russian throne after arranging the murder of the young Tsarevich Dmitry, is tormented by guilt and consumed by growing paranoia. Meanwhile, a young monk named Grigory claims to be the miraculously saved Dmitry and gathers supporters to challenge Boris's rule. As political unrest spreads across Russia, Boris becomes increasingly haunted by visions and the weight of his conscience. The opera ends not in triumph, but with a poignant reflection on the suffering of the Russian people amid the struggle for power.
Boris Godunov returns to the Royal Opera in the 2025–2026 season in a revival of Richard Jones's acclaimed 2016 production, which emphasizes the opera's themes of guilt, political power, and psychological disintegration. Sir Bryn Terfel stars in the title role, joined by bass Adam Pałka as Pimen, baritone Andrii Kymach as Andrei Shchelkalov, tenor Jamez McCorkle as Grigory, and tenor John Daszak as Prince Shuisky. The Chorus and Orchestra of The Royal Opera are conducted by Mark Wigglesworth, whose powerful, unsentimental interpretation highlights the raw originality of Mussorgsky's groundbreaking score.
Don’t miss one of the greatest Russian operas and a 19th-century masterpiece of music drama. Tune in to WHRO-FM 90.3, or listen online via our Media Player, this Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
