The Golden Cockerel

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's final opera was completed in 1907, but due to objections by Tsarist censors was not performed until 1909, after the composer's death—and then only with substantial revisions. Based on a poem by Pushkin, The Golden Cockerel on the surface is a fairy tale about an elderly king who uses magic provided by a sorcerer to wage a war against his country's enemies, but is seduced by the beautiful queen whose realm he invades. The authorities read the opera as a satire on Russian government corruption and military incompetence and banned it until changes were made to the libretto. Although rarely performed since, this 2017 production from St. Petersburg's Mariinsky Opera (formerly the Kirov) is physically spectacular, with numerous visual effects and extravagant costumes by Anna Matison. The orchestra also shines under the baton of Valery Gergiev. But the stage movement often seems chaotic, and the vocalism is variable, with only sultry Aida Garifullina as the Queen of Shemakha standing out amongst the large ensemble (Garifullina's aria may be overextended, but she delivers it with purity of tone and seamless legato). Although the fact that this is a Russian mounting is a point in its favor, the Paris Opera production conducted by Kent Nagano (as Le Coq d'Or, VL-11/04) is superior. Even so, this release—presented in PCM stereo—is still recommended. (F. Swietek)