Name: Khovanshchina
Genre: Music
Duration: 2 h 53 min
Rating: 7.2
Cast: Yevgeni Nesterenko, Irina Arkhipova, Evgeny Raikov

Khovanshchina was a relatively new discovery for me, and what a discovery it was. The opera may lack the tightness in the story of Boris Godunov, though it is still a memorable story, however the characters are compelling and the music is every bit as beautiful, as haunting and as thrilling.

This production is excellent, likewise with the 1989 production with Ghiaurov, Atlantov and Kotcherga. The sets are great especially those for act 3 and the costumes are nothing short of magnificent. The sound is mostly good if muffled at times likewise with the picture quality. The camera angles are very interesting.

Staging is mostly fine, though the final scene while very interesting could have done with more drama and was a little too short. Also I don't think I have yet seen a Khovanshchina that does a good job with Ivan's assassination, I found it rather clumsy here.

I can't find flaws with the orchestra who play with just the right tone and so on, and the conducting is fresh and charismatic. The performances are wonderful. For me the standouts were Euvgeny Nesterenko's Dosefei and Irina Arkhipova's Marfa, Nesterenko still has his powerful basso voice and magnetic stage presence and Arkhipova is dignified and vocally mellow. Aleksandr Verdernikov is excellent as Ivan, on par with Ghiaurov I'd say, and while Vladislav Romanovsky is not quite as powerful as Kotcherga as Shaklovity vocally, he is still very menacing.

Overall, excellent. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Russian cinema is distinguished by its epic scale, philosophical depth, and innovative visual language. It often explores history, ideology, and the human psyche, with a tradition of psychological realism and artistic experimentation. Russian cinema contributed revolutionary theories of editing and later a spiritual approach to film language. It remains known for combining formal experimentation with profound explorations of endurance and belief.

Nikolay Grinko, Aleksandr Kaydanovskiy, and Anatoliy Solonitsyn in Stalker (1979)

The music genre features stories showcasing musical performances, music-related documentaries and recordings of live concerts and music festivals.

Prince and Apollonia Kotero in Purple Rain (1984)

Khovanshchina is an opera in 5 acts by Mussorgsky, completed and orchestrated by Rimsky-Korsakov. Libretto by composer Vladimir Stasov. First performed in St. Petersburg on February 21st, 1886. This is the also the ONLY full-length performance of Mussorgsky's opera. Conductor Yuri Simonov conducts the acclaimed Bolshoi Chorus in this program.

Get a closer look at some of Hollywood's perfect pairs.

Hollywood Power Couples

Get a closer look at some of Hollywood&#39;s perfect pairs.

See which big screen releases you can watch from the comfort of your couch.

Theatrical Releases Coming to Streaming

Get a closer look at these actors from their many TV and streaming series roles.

Khovanshchina

Photos

Top Cast6

User reviews2

Related interests

Storyline

Top picks

Details

Tech specs

Contribute to this page

More to explore

Recently viewed