Aside from Boris Godunov (which was revised by Rimsky-Korsakov), all of Modest Mussorgsky's operas were left unfinished at his death in 1881. In this 2007 production from the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona, Mussorgsky's epic Khovanshchina (which revolves around the political machinations surrounding Tsar Peter the Great's accession in 1682) is presented in the 1960 version offered by Shostakovich, with the exception of the ending, which is here replaced with Guerassim Voronkov's far more subdued close, involving the mass suicide of the Old Believers (religious zealots caught up in the struggles between rival noble factions for control of the throne). A romantic triangle of sorts is embedded in the libretto (involving the son of one of the princes, a German girl, and his former mistress), but this is really secondary to the broader background of the conflict between traditionalists and modernizers, and while that may make Khovanshchina less compelling as a personal story than most popular operas, it remains a powerful piece on its own terms. Here, the orchestra and chorus do Mussorgsky's rich score justice under Michael Boder's sensitive but propulsive direction; the soloists, mostly Russian, are fine (though their heavy vibrato can sound wobbly); and even Stein Winge's staging of the action in what looks like a 1950s setting works well. Boasting excellent DTS surround sound and LPCM stereo options, DVD extras here include an interview with Boder and an illustrated synopsis. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)
Khovanshchina
(2007) 2 discs. 192 min. In Russian w/English subtitles. DVD: $45.98 (booklet included). Opus Arte (dist. by Naxos of America). Volume 23, Issue 4
Khovanshchina
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