Mussorgsky's 'Khovanshchina' Returns to the Met | Music | Arts ...

When Puccini died before completing Turandot, the work was finished by a minor composer, Franco Alfano. Modest Mussorgsky?s Khovanshchina had better luck.

The version that is now being performed at the Metropolitan Opera was orchestrated by Dmitri Shostakovich with a final scene by Igor Stravinsky. (Rimsky-Korsakov previously revised the orchestration and Ravel later helped Stravinsky.)

The opera is an epic?Mussorgsky called it a ?national music drama? ?about turbulent events in Russia during the late 17th century. There are assassinations, revolts, and religious zealots who commit mass suicide.

Ably conducted by Kirill Petrenko, the production contains a terrific Russian cast. The key role of Marfa is performed by mezzo-soprano Olga Borodina, and her real-life husband bass Ildar Abdrazakov plays the spiritual leader of the True Believers.

Other terrific performances are given by Vladimir Galouzine, George Gagnidze, Anatoli Kotscherga, and Misha Didyk, among others.

The chorus, under Donald Palumbo, merits special praise. Peter McClintock?s direction is more impressive than his work in Ernani.

Khovanshchina is not revived often, so the Met production should not be missed by lovers of Russian opera. The work will return on March 10, 13, and 17.

Barry Bassis writes about music, theater, travel, and dining for various publications.

Source: http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/arts-entertainment/mussorgskys-khovanshchina-returns-to-the-met-200111.html

wikipedia sopa and pipa bills censoring the internet blackout blackout congress censored