The opera house was abuzz as the curtain rose on Boris Godunov, Richard Jones' darkly compelling production of Mussorgsky's masterpiece. The work's unrelenting atmosphere is palpable from the opening scene, where a hooded figure meets a gruesome end at the hands of three armed men. This harrowing flashback sets the tone for a production that delves into the complexities of power and its devastating consequences.
Conductor Mark Wigglesworth masterfully navigated the score's dense orchestration, expertly highlighting the contrast between the most overblown passages and the lightest moments. The strings were particularly vital to this musical chiaroscuro, moving seamlessly from fidgety and tender to rough-hewn and intense.
The set design is a masterpiece of minimalist chic, with a single, beautifully lit box serving as the backdrop for the drama to unfold. The chorus is initially dressed in drab peasant attire, but dons brighter garb for Boris's coronation, adding a touch of levity to the proceedings. However, it is the individual performances that truly bring this production to life.
Among the ensemble, standout roles include Adam Palka's elderly monk Pimen and Andrii Kymach as Andrei Shchelkalov, whose physicality and vocal range make them compelling presences on stage. Robert Berry-Roe shines in his debut as Boris's son, while Alexander Roslavets brings a suitably thuggish presence to Varlaam. Jamez McCorkle impresses with his rich, treacle-voiced performance as Grigory Otrepiev.
But the true showstopper is Bryn Terfel, who has brought his unique interpretation of Boris Godunov to this production since its debut. His tsar is a complex, multifaceted character - wild-eyed, with violent consonants and grim giggles - yet also possessing a supple, rich voice that insists on the humanity beneath the turmoil. As he navigates the score's many challenges, Terfel delivers a performance of breathtaking intensity and beauty, ensuring this production remains a highlight of the opera season.
Conductor Mark Wigglesworth masterfully navigated the score's dense orchestration, expertly highlighting the contrast between the most overblown passages and the lightest moments. The strings were particularly vital to this musical chiaroscuro, moving seamlessly from fidgety and tender to rough-hewn and intense.
The set design is a masterpiece of minimalist chic, with a single, beautifully lit box serving as the backdrop for the drama to unfold. The chorus is initially dressed in drab peasant attire, but dons brighter garb for Boris's coronation, adding a touch of levity to the proceedings. However, it is the individual performances that truly bring this production to life.
Among the ensemble, standout roles include Adam Palka's elderly monk Pimen and Andrii Kymach as Andrei Shchelkalov, whose physicality and vocal range make them compelling presences on stage. Robert Berry-Roe shines in his debut as Boris's son, while Alexander Roslavets brings a suitably thuggish presence to Varlaam. Jamez McCorkle impresses with his rich, treacle-voiced performance as Grigory Otrepiev.
But the true showstopper is Bryn Terfel, who has brought his unique interpretation of Boris Godunov to this production since its debut. His tsar is a complex, multifaceted character - wild-eyed, with violent consonants and grim giggles - yet also possessing a supple, rich voice that insists on the humanity beneath the turmoil. As he navigates the score's many challenges, Terfel delivers a performance of breathtaking intensity and beauty, ensuring this production remains a highlight of the opera season.
! his voice is like butter for my ears smooth and rich but also has this wild edge to it that just adds so much depth to the character. I love how he brings out the humanity in Boris even when he's at his most ruthless, it's like you can see the pain and desperation behind those eyes 
. and have you noticed how he uses his body language too? it's like he's really embodying the role. Robert Berry-Roe as Boris's son is also pretty cool I think. what do you guys think about this production of Boris Godunov?
it's like they're nickel and diming us to death! And can we talk about how outdated the website is? I swear it takes me 5 mins just to find out when the next show is on 
seen him live before and yeah he's great but not that life changing 
Omg I just saw this production and Bryn Terfel is on 
his as Boris Godunov was sooo intense 
I loved how he brought this complex character to life 
the way he sang and acted together was perfection 
Adam Palka's monk was also so cool 
Andrii Kymach's performance as Shchelkalov was insane 
I'm still thinking about this opera now 
but it feels kinda overhyped to me... I mean, I get why everyone's buzzing about it, Mark Wigglesworth is a great conductor and Bryn Terfel's performance is definitely captivating 
I'm not saying it's not good, but let's not forget about some of the other talented singers and actors who are equally impressive... and maybe we can appreciate the production for what it is without the hype surrounding it 
Adam Palka as Pimen is EVERYTHING and I love how they used the chorus changes to add some levity to the drama 
, but at times it felt like they were phoning it in a bit... still, overall it's a great production that showcases just how complex Mussorgsky's music can be 
. What I love about this production is how it highlights the human side of Boris, you know, beyond all the power struggles and politics 
. It's like, can't we all just be a little more like Grigory Otrepiev? Jamez McCorkle's performance was on point too! But honestly, Bryn Terfel's got this production locked down 
. Can't wait to see it live 
and I'm OBSESSED! Bryn Terfel is literally bringing this complex character to life in a way that's both hauntingly beautiful and utterly captivating 
he's got this energy on stage that's just mesmerizing I was totally absorbed in his performance, like he's speaking directly to you. The set design is so minimalist but it works so well with the music. And I loved how they used lighting to create this moodiness throughout the whole show. The chorus is really great too, all their harmonies together are just stunning 
gotta respect how he humanizes that complex character with all those raw emotions 
. The set design is soooo minimalist chic and I am HERE for the way it just makes the drama feel so intense 
. And those ensemble performances? SICKENING! Adam Palka as Pimen has me SHAKING, Andrii Kymach as Shchelkalov is just SO cool 
. This production is like the opera season's ultimate game-changer and I need to see it for myself ASAP 
I just watched the opera "Boris Godunov" and I'm still reeling from the experience! The way the conductor, Mark Wigglesworth, expertly balanced the dark and light moments in the score was truly mesmerizing. And Bryn Terfel's performance as Boris... wow 
but at the same time, it really brings out the drama of the story. The way the chorus goes from drab to bright... it's like a little mini-miracle. But what really got me was the individual performances. Adam Palka's elderly monk Pimen is just so nuanced and compelling 
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just kidding, it sounds like they really knocked it out of the park with Mark Wigglesworth's conductor skills and Bryn Terfel's performance as Boris Godunov. The minimalist set design is also pretty cool, but I guess you could say it's "boxy" 
. Seriously though, the individual performances are what make this production shine, especially Terfel's, who just owns that stage with his unique interpretation of the character. Maybe they should give out awards for most likely to fall asleep during an opera performance