Boris Godounov
Classification added October 19, 2015Premiered February 8, 1874
St. Petersburg. Imperial Opera
Composer:
Modest Moussorgsky
Original Language:
Russian
Librettist:
Modest Moussorgsky, after Pushkin and Karamazin
Description:
Opera in a Prologue and Four Acts
Notes:
Text from Pushkin’s play of the same name & the “History of the Russian Empire” by Nikolai Mikhailovich Karamazin. There are 4 main versions of “Boris”, 2 by Moussorgsky, and 2 by Rimsky-Korsakov. The following classification is for the Rimsky-Korsakov (1908-D) version. It is in this version that the opera has most often been performed.
Time Period:
1598-1605
Place:
Russia & Poland
Classification key
- L – Leading
- F – Featured
- S – Supporting
- B – Solo Bit
- CB – Chorus Bit
- MB – Mute Bit
| Role | Voice Part | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Boris Godounov | Bass | L |
| Dimitri (Grigori), the pretender | Tenor | L |
| Marina Mnishek, a Polish Princess | Mezzo Soprano | F |
| Varlaam, a vagabond | Bass | F |
| Prince Shouisky | Tenor | F |
| Pimen, monk & chronicler | Bass | F |
| Rangoni, a Jesuit | Bass-Baritone | F |
| A Simpleton (The Idiot) | Tenor | F |
| Feodor, son of Boris | Mezzo Soprano | S |
| Xenia, daughter of Boris | Soprano | S |
| The Old Nurse | Contralto | S |
| Missail, a vagabond | Tenor | S |
| The Hostess of the Inn | Mezzo Soprano | S |
| Andrey Tchelkalov, clerk of Douma | Baritone | S |
| Police Sergeant | Bass | B |
| Frontier Guard | Bass | B |
| Boyar | Tenor | B |
| Lavitzki, a Jesuit | Bass | B |
| Tchernikovski, a Jesuit | Bass | B |
| Mitioukha, 1st peasant | Bass | B |
| Boyar Khrustchov | Tenor | CB |
| linebreak | ||
| 2nd peasant (Prologue) | Tenor | CB |
| 1st woman peasant (Prologue) | Soprano | CB |
| 2nd woman peasant (Prologue) | Mezzo Soprano | CB |
Minimum Chorus: 48
Divisi: SATB
Chorus Notes:
The Boyars (8 Basses) are included in the minimum chorus recommendation