Based on Pushkin’s narrative, the opera delves into the heart of the Russian Empire, through a political fable about the greatness and downfall of a reign. Boris Godunov, which premiered in 1869, embodies the intersection of collective history and personal destiny — between the fate of a nation and the intimate tragedy of its ruler. The story is brought to life by Russian composer Mussorgsky’s vivid music, directly inspired by the traditional folk music of his homeland. With dazzling solo voices and choral masses, and an orchestra full of unprecedented textures, the composer’s writing reveals itself in a play of contrasts, mirroring a story where the darkest aspects of power coexist with a father’s tenderness and a man’s inner turmoil.
World-renowned Russian bass Dmitry Ulyanov sings the part of Boris. Conducting the orchestra and shaping the production, two artists well known across Europe’s most prestigious venues make their French debuts: conductor Vitali Alekseenok and stage director Vasily Barkhatov. This is a story about individual and collective responsibility, presented with a scenography inspired by Lars von Trier’s Dogville.