Mussorgsky: Boris Godunov

Modest Mussorgski was inspired to compose his masterpiece “Boris Godunov” after reading Pushkin’s play of the same name. The opera contains one of the most demanding and dramatic roles for a bass-baritone: Boris, a noble ruler who loves his children and his people, is driven by his lust for power to commit a terrible crime. The unique Bryn Terfel in the title role takes center stage in Richard Jones’s new production of the (rarely performed) original 1870 version. Antonio Pappano conducts an excellently cast group of singers, including John Graham-Hall as the scheming Prince Shuisky and John Tomlinson as the wandering monk Varlaam.