Opera in four acts with a prologue (version of 1872)
Music by Modest Musorgsky
Libretto by the composer after the tragedy of the same name by Alexander Pushkin and
Nikolai Karamzin"s tragedy The History of the Russian State
Production by Andrei Tarkovsky
World premiere: 8 February 1874, Mariinsky Theatre, St Petersburg
Revival of the 1990 production: 10 May 2006, Mariinsky Theatre, St Petersburg
Running time: 4 hours 05 minutes
The performance has one intervals
Performed in Russian
The performance will have synchronised
English supertitles

Credits
Musical Director: Valery Gergiev
Stage Director: Andrei Tarkovsky
(Premiere - Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, 1983)
Production Designer: Nikolai Dvigubsky
Staging at the Mariinsky Theatre: Steven Lawless & Irina Brown (1990)
Lighting Designer: Vladimir Lukasevich
Revival Director: Irkin Gabitov
Musical Preparation: Irina Soboleva
Principal Chorus Master: Andrei Petrenko
Children"s Chorus Master: Dmitry Ralko

SYNOPSIS

PROLOGUE
Novodevichy Monastery.
...1598. Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich has died without an heir. Boris Godunov had been the de facto ruler under Fyodor"s reign, having shown exceptional wisdom in the cause of the Russian State. He tried to claim the throne but the boyars - of more noble birth than Godunov - resisted him, spreading ill tales about him and that it was he who ordered the death of Tsarevich Dmitry in Uglich, the legal heir to the throne and the younger son of Ivan the Terrible. In order to achieve his desired aims, Boris ostensibly removes himself and his family to the Novodevichy Monastery; Godunov"s adherents have assembled the people to "ask Boris to be Tsar". The people reluctantly obey, expressing apathy and indifference to what is happening.
Shchelkalov, the scribe of the Boyars" Council, declares that Boris is adamant in his resolution. However, the Patriarch and the boyars close to Godunov nonetheless "beg" him to ascend the throne.
A bailiff announces the boyars" decree: "Be in the Kremlin on the morrow and await orders."

ACT I
A square in the Kremlin. Godunov is crowned Tsar.
Boris has achieved everything he wanted but: "My heart laments, some kind of unbidden fear has filled my heart with a premonition of evil."
Tsar Boris yields before the "exultant people". Can he be won over?
Pimen"s cell in the Chudov Monastery. "One more tale and my manuscript is complete:"
The young monk Grigory awakes from a troubled dream: for the third time he has seen himself ascending a steep staircase in his sleep, looking over Moscow and falling downwards: "I became both ashamed and frightened:"
Grigory is troubled that he does nothing at the monastery. He envies Pimen for the rich tapestry of events that occurred in his younger days. He is particularly interested in the death of the young Tsarevich in Uglich. "He was the same age as you and reigned," Pimen answers. Pimen"s words about the murder of the Tsarevich on the orders of Boris Godunov open a fiendish plan to Grigory.
An inn at the Lithuanian border. The wandering Varlaam and Misail are joined by Grigory, who has fled the monastery. The innkeeper tells him how to get into Lithuania without passing the guards.
Guards appear unexpectedly in the hope of profiting from the monksґ "weaknesses": who are they and where are they from? Wishing to alarm them, the guards produce a decree for the capture of the "heretic Grishka Otrepiev". In order to remain incognito Grigory offers to read the decree and names Varlaam"s features instead of his own. The indignant Varlaam reads the decree for himself. Grigory flees.
A terem in the Moscow Kremlin. Tsarevna Xenia mourns her dead husband, while Tsarevich Fyodor examines the map of Russia.
With his family Boris Godunov is good and kind. But he cannot dismiss his gloomy thoughts: "I have supreme power. I have reigned in peace for six years. But my soul knows no rest:"
Informed by Prince Shuisky of the Pretender in Lithuania calling himself Dmitry, Godunov loses his self-control. He insists that Shuisky confirm the death of the young Dmitry in Uglich. The Prince"s detailed story is agony for Boris.

ACT II
Poland. Commander Mnishek"s Sandomir Castle. Grigory Otrepiev, claiming to be the saved Tsarevich Dmitry, meets Marina Mnishek - a coquettish, calculating and spoiled young lady.
The Jesuit Rangoni must fulfil the wishes of the Pope in Rome as his secret emissary. In order to enter Russia and turn the nation into a Catholic land he needs a union between Marina Mnishek and the Pretender. However, Marina herself dreams of becoming Tsarina of Russia. She succeeds in inflaming the Pretender"s ambitions.
The square before St Basil"s in Moscow. Prior to a service in the cathedral, where Grishka Otrepiev is being denounced and eternal prayers are being said for the Tsarevich Dmitry, the people are discussing the rumour that the Tsarevich was saved and his troops are close to Moscow. The imperial procession begins. The people pray and demand "Bread! Bread! Bread for the hungry!"
The Simpleton interrupts the Tsar"s procession. Another wound to Godunovґs soul: "We must not pray for a tyrant Tsar!"
Night. The Chamber of Facets in the Kremlin. An emergency meeting of the Boyars" Council: the Pretender"s army is close to Moscow.
The boyars are worried at Shuisky"s account of the Tsar"s illness. Boris is overcome with superstition, suspicion and fear.
Shuisky tells the tortured and suffering Boris to listen to Pimen"s tale of how a blind monk was cured over the grave of St Dmitry.
Boris has lost his self-control. Sensing the end is nigh he calls his son and orders him to "Remain pure, Fyodor, purity is your strength and power, the fortress of your reason and your salvation:"
Tsar Boris dies.
A huge crowd has gathered near Kromy awaiting the False Dmitry.
The people want to see an end to the boyar Khrushchev, Tsar Boris" servant. Incited by Varlaam and Misail"s tales of the intrigues and evils in Russia the people are prepared to "overturn" the satanic throne and overthrow the regicidal Borisґ illegitimate rule. The people praise Dmitry. But the appearance of the Pretender is anticipated by his Jesuit advisors (he has secretly adopted Catholicism). The people are ready to take care of them too, these "damned crows".
The False Dmitry names himself Tsar and promises grace and protection.
The Simpleton mourns the bitter fate of Mother Russia.

Opera in four acts with a prologue (version of 1872)
Music by Modest Musorgsky
Libretto by the composer after the tragedy of the same name by Alexander Pushkin and
Nikolai Karamzin"s tragedy The History of the Russian State
Production by Andrei Tarkovsky
World premiere: 8 February 1874, Mariinsky Theatre, St Petersburg
Revival of the 1990 production: 10 May 2006, Mariinsky Theatre, St Petersburg
Running time: 4 hours 05 minutes
The performance has one intervals
Performed in Russian
The performance will have synchronised
English supertitles

Credits
Musical Director: Valery Gergiev
Stage Director: Andrei Tarkovsky
(Premiere - Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, 1983)
Production Designer: Nikolai Dvigubsky
Staging at the Mariinsky Theatre: Steven Lawless & Irina Brown (1990)
Lighting Designer: Vladimir Lukasevich
Revival Director: Irkin Gabitov
Musical Preparation: Irina Soboleva
Principal Chorus Master: Andrei Petrenko
Children"s Chorus Master: Dmitry Ralko

SYNOPSIS

PROLOGUE
Novodevichy Monastery.
...1598. Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich has died without an heir. Boris Godunov had been the de facto ruler under Fyodor"s reign, having shown exceptional wisdom in the cause of the Russian State. He tried to claim the throne but the boyars - of more noble birth than Godunov - resisted him, spreading ill tales about him and that it was he who ordered the death of Tsarevich Dmitry in Uglich, the legal heir to the throne and the younger son of Ivan the Terrible. In order to achieve his desired aims, Boris ostensibly removes himself and his family to the Novodevichy Monastery; Godunov"s adherents have assembled the people to "ask Boris to be Tsar". The people reluctantly obey, expressing apathy and indifference to what is happening.
Shchelkalov, the scribe of the Boyars" Council, declares that Boris is adamant in his resolution. However, the Patriarch and the boyars close to Godunov nonetheless "beg" him to ascend the throne.
A bailiff announces the boyars" decree: "Be in the Kremlin on the morrow and await orders."

ACT I
A square in the Kremlin. Godunov is crowned Tsar.
Boris has achieved everything he wanted but: "My heart laments, some kind of unbidden fear has filled my heart with a premonition of evil."
Tsar Boris yields before the "exultant people". Can he be won over?
Pimen"s cell in the Chudov Monastery. "One more tale and my manuscript is complete:"
The young monk Grigory awakes from a troubled dream: for the third time he has seen himself ascending a steep staircase in his sleep, looking over Moscow and falling downwards: "I became both ashamed and frightened:"
Grigory is troubled that he does nothing at the monastery. He envies Pimen for the rich tapestry of events that occurred in his younger days. He is particularly interested in the death of the young Tsarevich in Uglich. "He was the same age as you and reigned," Pimen answers. Pimen"s words about the murder of the Tsarevich on the orders of Boris Godunov open a fiendish plan to Grigory.
An inn at the Lithuanian border. The wandering Varlaam and Misail are joined by Grigory, who has fled the monastery. The innkeeper tells him how to get into Lithuania without passing the guards.
Guards appear unexpectedly in the hope of profiting from the monksґ "weaknesses": who are they and where are they from? Wishing to alarm them, the guards produce a decree for the capture of the "heretic Grishka Otrepiev". In order to remain incognito Grigory offers to read the decree and names Varlaam"s features instead of his own. The indignant Varlaam reads the decree for himself. Grigory flees.
A terem in the Moscow Kremlin. Tsarevna Xenia mourns her dead husband, while Tsarevich Fyodor examines the map of Russia.
With his family Boris Godunov is good and kind. But he cannot dismiss his gloomy thoughts: "I have supreme power. I have reigned in peace for six years. But my soul knows no rest:"
Informed by Prince Shuisky of the Pretender in Lithuania calling himself Dmitry, Godunov loses his self-control. He insists that Shuisky confirm the death of the young Dmitry in Uglich. The Prince"s detailed story is agony for Boris.

ACT II
Poland. Commander Mnishek"s Sandomir Castle. Grigory Otrepiev, claiming to be the saved Tsarevich Dmitry, meets Marina Mnishek - a coquettish, calculating and spoiled young lady.
The Jesuit Rangoni must fulfil the wishes of the Pope in Rome as his secret emissary. In order to enter Russia and turn the nation into a Catholic land he needs a union between Marina Mnishek and the Pretender. However, Marina herself dreams of becoming Tsarina of Russia. She succeeds in inflaming the Pretender"s ambitions.
The square before St Basil"s in Moscow. Prior to a service in the cathedral, where Grishka Otrepiev is being denounced and eternal prayers are being said for the Tsarevich Dmitry, the people are discussing the rumour that the Tsarevich was saved and his troops are close to Moscow. The imperial procession begins. The people pray and demand "Bread! Bread! Bread for the hungry!"
The Simpleton interrupts the Tsar"s procession. Another wound to Godunovґs soul: "We must not pray for a tyrant Tsar!"
Night. The Chamber of Facets in the Kremlin. An emergency meeting of the Boyars" Council: the Pretender"s army is close to Moscow.
The boyars are worried at Shuisky"s account of the Tsar"s illness. Boris is overcome with superstition, suspicion and fear.
Shuisky tells the tortured and suffering Boris to listen to Pimen"s tale of how a blind monk was cured over the grave of St Dmitry.
Boris has lost his self-control. Sensing the end is nigh he calls his son and orders him to "Remain pure, Fyodor, purity is your strength and power, the fortress of your reason and your salvation:"
Tsar Boris dies.
A huge crowd has gathered near Kromy awaiting the False Dmitry.
The people want to see an end to the boyar Khrushchev, Tsar Boris" servant. Incited by Varlaam and Misail"s tales of the intrigues and evils in Russia the people are prepared to "overturn" the satanic throne and overthrow the regicidal Borisґ illegitimate rule. The people praise Dmitry. But the appearance of the Pretender is anticipated by his Jesuit advisors (he has secretly adopted Catholicism). The people are ready to take care of them too, these "damned crows".
The False Dmitry names himself Tsar and promises grace and protection.
The Simpleton mourns the bitter fate of Mother Russia.

Ballet in three parts
Music by Gabriel Faurй, Igor Stravinsky, Pyotr Tchaikovsky
Choreography by George Balanchine (1967)
World premiere: 13 April 1967, New York City Ballet, New York State Theater
Premiere at the Mariinsky Theatre: 30 October 1999, St Petersburg
Running time 2 hours 20 minutes

Credits

I. Emeralds
Music: Gabriel Faure from Pellйas et Melisande (1898) and Shylock (1889)

II. Rubies
Music: Igor Stravinsky (Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra, 1929)

III. Diamonds
Music: Pyotr Tchaikovsky from Symphony No. 3 in D Major, 1875 (first movement omitted)

Staging: Karin von Aroldingen, Sarah Leland, Elyse Borne and Sean Lavery
Scenery: Peter Harvey (1967)
Costumes: Karinska (1967)
Recreations of costumes supervised: Holly Hines
Original lighting: Ronald Bates
Lighting: Perry Silvey

Fantasy ballet in three acts (four scenes)
Music by Pyotr Tchaikovsky
Choreography by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov (1895)
revised choreography and stage direction: Konstantin Sergeyev (1950)
Libretto by Vladimir Begichev and Vasily Geltzer
World premiere: 20 February 1877, Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow (choreography by Julius Reisinger)
Premiere in St Petersburg: 15 January 1895, Mariinsky Theatre (choreography by Lev Ivanov and Marius Petipa)
Premiere of Konstantin Sergeyevґs version: 8 March 1950, Kirov Theatre, Leningrad
Running time 3 hours 10 minutes
The Performance has two intermissions

Credits
Set design by Igor Ivanov
Costume design by Galina Solovyova

SYNOPSIS

Act I
Scene 1
Prince Siegfried and his friends are celebrating his coming of age at a private party. The guests drink to his health and the jester entertains them with his antics.
The Prince is warned that his mother, the Princess Regent, is approaching. She is displeased with her sonґs behaviour and he presents her with a bouquet of roses to pacify her. After the Princess has gone, the partying begins anew.
Twilight falls. The guests depart and the Prince is left alone in the park. High above, Siegfried catches sight of a flock of white swans and the sight stirs the hunterґs urge in him. Seizing his bow, the Prince makes his way off into the heart of the forest.

Scene 2
A Lake in the Forest in the Middle of the Night. White swans are swimming near the shore; they are beautiful young maidens who have been transformed by the evil magician Rothbart. Only at night can they assume human form and the only power on earth which can break this evil spell is devoted love. Siegfried appears. He sees one of the white birds come to shore and draws his bow to shoot it. The bird suddenly turns into a beautiful woman - it is Odette, Queen of the swan-maidens. Odetteґs beauty enthrals the Prince and he tries to capture her. She, however, is afraid of the evil magician and, as she avoids Siegfried, she disappears in the midst of the swan-maidens.
Siegfried runs after Odette and vows eternal love and fidelity to her. Odetteґs heart responds in the same way to Siegfriedґs passionate love. Dawn breaks. Odette bids Siegfried a tender farewell and the white swans glide slowly away across the lake.

Act II
Scene 3
A Ball at the Castle. Siegfried must choose a bride from among the well-bred maidens who have been invited, but he remains indifferent to them all because he has given his heart to Odette. Only at his motherґs insistence does he dance with any of the prospective brides.
He must, however, choose one of them, and as a token of his love, he must give his chosen bride a bouquet. As he faces this dilemma, however, a fanfare of trumpets heralds the arrival of new guests: the magician Rothbart and Odile, his daughter. The Prince is struck by her resemblance to Odette. Rothbart wants the Prince to fall in love with Odile so that he will break his vow of eternal love and fidelity; Odette will then remain in the sorcererґs power forever. It is for this reason that he has given his own daughter Odette's form and features. Odile seduces Siegfried, who is fascinated by her charm. He announces to his mother that the beautiful Odile is his choice. The wicked magician is jubilant.
Suddenly Siegfried sees a vision of the true swan-maiden outside the castle window and realises that he has been deceived into breaking his vow. In despair, he rushes to the lake to find his beloved Odette.

Act III
Scene 4
The Lakeside, at Night. The swan-maidens stand dejected and sad. Odette has told them what has happened. Siegfried rushes in. He begs Odette to forgive him and he professes his undying love for her, but the enraged sorcerer summons the black swans and commands them to separate Odette and Siegfried.
Siegfried grapples with the magician. Fearless in the encounter, he breaks Rothbartґs wing. The enchanter collapses, his power gone, and he dies.
Love has broken the evil spell. The sun rises and shines radiantly on the Prince and Odette, and on the maidens whom Siegfried has rescued.

Lyric opera in three acts, seven scenes
Music by Pyotr Tchaikovsky
Libretto by Pyotr Tchaikovsky and Konstantin Shilovsky after the poetic novel of the same name by Alexander Pushkin
Production by Yuri Temirkanov
Performed in Russian
The performance will have synchronised English supertitles
World premiere: 17 March 1879, Maly Theatre, Moscow
Premiere of this production: 13 November 1982, Kirov Theatre of Opera and Ballet, Leningrad
Running time: 3 hours 50 minutes
The Performance has two intermissions

Credits
Stage Director: Yuri Temirkanov
Set Designer: Igor Ivanov
Principal Chorus Master: Andrei Petrenko
Musical Preparation: Irina Soboleva

SYNOPSIS

Act I
Scene 1
The Larin family estate. Mrs Larina's daughters can be heard singing in the distance - Tatiana, always thoughtful and dreaming, and Olga, playful and flirtatious. Their young voices remind their mother and the nurse Filippevna of a now dim and distant youth.
Evening falls. Long drawn-out singing can be heard; the harvest complete, the peasants bring their mistress a decorated sheaf of wheat according to tradition. Unexpectedly guests appear - it is the young poet Lensky, Olga's fiancй and the Larins' neighbour, and Onegin, his friend and man of the world. He has recently arrived from St Petersburg and is already bored with the country. The arrival of the guests creates confusion. Everyone looks at the new arrival with interest.
Onegin is surprised at Lensky's choice of bride: "If I were a poet like you I should choose another." Tatiana is deeply perturbed by her meeting with Onegin.
Once alone with Olga, Lensky declares his love for her.

Scene 2
Tatiana's bedroom. It is night. Tatiana is overflowing with the new emotion that has so unexpectedly gripped her. In vain, Filippevna the nurse attempts to dispel Tatiana's pensiveness by telling her about days gone by. All her thoughts are of Onegin; he has stirred the heart of this provincial girl. Tatiana asks her nurse to leave her. Absorbed by this new passion, Tatiana writes to Onegin. "You appeared to me in a dream, unseen, and were kind to me..."
Gradually dawn begins to break. A shepherd's horn blows. Tatiana begs her nurse to deliver Onegin the letter.

Scene 3
In the Larins' garden girls are gathering berries. In confusion, Tatiana enters, trembling in anticipation of the reply to her own confession of love.
She is gripped by agonising regret: "Oh, why did I heed my wretched soul, unable to control myself, why did I write that letter?" But it is too late! Onegin is already here, in the garden. His words form, cold and passionless. He is touched by Tatiana's sincerity, but cannot return the feeling. Civilly returning Tatiana her letter, Onegin reproaches her lack of care: "Learn to control yourself; not everyone would understand you like I; inexperience leads to disaster."

Act II
Scene 1
A ball is being held at the Larins' house. Many guests have come to celebrate Tatiana's name-day party. Triquet, a Frenchman, sings some couplets in Tatiana's honour. Onegin is driven to utter boredom with the provincial ball and its gossip and idle chatter. He vents his patience on Lensky: "Why did I come to this ridiculous ball? Why? I shan't forgive Vladimir for this!" Onegin begins to pay court to Olga. Lensky is indignant at his friend's behaviour and his fiancйe's coquettish and frivolous manner. During a mazurka, a quarrel develops. Insulted and in a pique of rage and despair, Lensky challenges Onegin to a duel. The guests try in vain to reconcile the two friends.

Scene 2
A cold frosty morning, and Lensky has come to the place where the duel will take place. "What does the coming day hold for me? I can't imagine what will be..." Sad and pained, he thinks of the forthcoming duel. Zaretsky, Lensky's second, is awaiting Onegin. Onegin finally arrives; the preparations for the duel are made, but the former friends tarry. Both understand the absurdity of what has happened: "Should we not laugh before our hands are stained with blood, and part as friends?" But no! The seconds show the two adversaries to their places. Zaretsky gives the signal to start. There is a shot. Lensky falls. Running to his friend, Onegin is horrified to see he is dead.

Act III
Scene 1
Guests are assembling for a ball at a mansion in St Petersburg; Onegin, home from his travels in Europe, is there too. Neither changes of scene nor high society have lifted his anguish. Prince Gremin and his wife arrive and Onegin recognises her to be Tatiana. The Prince cordially tells him of his happy marriage and introduces Tatiana. Onegin is staggered - surely this noble and refined society lady is not the same girl to whom he once read a moral admonition? Onegin uneasily admits to himself "Alas, there's no doubt, I'm in love, in love like a boy, a passionate youth!"

Scene 2
The final encounter between Onegin and Tatiana. His words are full of confession and repentance. But the past cannot be revisited. Calling on Onegin's honour and pride Tatiana asks him to leave her: "To another by fate have I been given, I will never leave him." Onegin's entreaties are all in vain. Ultimately he understands that he has lost Tatiana forever. He is left alone: "Ignominy! Anguish! Oh, my pitiable fate!"

Ballet-feerie in three acts with a prologue and apotheosis
Music by Pyotr Tchaikovsky
Choreography by Marius Petipa (1890)
Libretto by Ivan Vsevolozhsky and Marius Petipa, after tales by Charles Perrault
World premiere: 3 January 1890, Mariinsky Theatre, St Petersburg
Premiere of the revival: 30 April 1999, Mariinsky Theatre, St Petersburg
Running time 4 hours 15 minutes
The Performance has three intermissions

Credits (revival of the 1890 production)
Set design: Heinrich Levogt, Mikhail Bocharov, Ivan Andreev, Konstantin Ivanov and Matvei Shishkov
Costumes: Ivan Vsevolozhsky
The revival team:
Musical Director: Valery Gergiev
Conductor: Gianandrea Noseda
Choreography staged: Sergei Vikharev
Set design reproduced: Andrei Voitenko
Assistant Set designers: Boris Kaminsky and Andrei Sevbo
Costumes reproduced: Elena Zaitseva
Lighting design: Vladimir Lukasevich
Archive research and co-ordination: Pavel Gershenzon
Marius Petipaґs choreographic text was restored using Nikolai Sergeyevґs notation from the Harvard Theatre Collection.
The sets and costumes were restored from sketches and photographic materials from the collection of the St Petersburg State Museum of Theatre and Music and the St Petersburg State Theatre Library.

SYNOPSIS

Prologue
King Florestan and his court are celebrating the christening of his daughter, Princess Aurora. Fairies bring gifts for the young child for whom they will be godparents, among whom the Lilac Fairy is the principle godmother. The celebrations are suddenly interrupted when Catalabutte, the Master of Ceremonies responsible for compiling the guest list, realises that he has forgotten to invite the fairy Carabosse. Carabosse appears with her evil entourage and swears that she will have her revenge. She predicts that one day Aurora will prick her finger and die. The Lilac Fairy, however, intervenes. She promises that Aurora shall not die, but will merely fall into a deep slumber, to be awakened by the kiss of a Prince enchanted by her sleeping beauty...

Act I
A Terrace in the Castle Park
Aurora has just turned twenty and Florestan is delighted that Carabosseґs prophecy has not come to fruition. Some women are found knitting in front of the castle and are immediately condemned to prison, but the Queen intervenes on their behalf and the King pardons them. At the birthday celebrations, four Princes come to seek Auroraґs hand in marriage. Aurora enters and, having charmed them all, dances with each of them. While Aurora is reflecting on the Princes, she notices an old woman marking time to the music with a spindle. She takes the spindle from her and dances with it herself to impress her suitors. But she pricks her hand and, a few moments later, falls senseless. The old woman then reveals herself as Carabosse and, evading capture by the Princes, disappears in a cloud of smoke and flame. The Lilac Fairy appears and, as the Princess is carried indoors, says she has come to keep her word. At a wave of her wand, a deep sleep falls over the whole court and a dense forest grows up around the castle.

Act II
Scene 1: The Forest
Prince Dйsirй and his courtiers are out hunting. He is tired and sends them off to hunt without him. Once he is left alone, the Lilac Fairy appears in a mother-of-pearl boat and shows him a vision of Aurora whom she says can be his wife. The Prince is enraptured by Auroraґs beauty, but each time he tries to touch her, she evades him. The Prince implores the Lilac Fairy to show him where this vision may be found in reality. Motioning him into the boat, the Lilac Fairy promises to take him there.

Scene 2: Sleeping Beautyґs Castle
Aurora is sleeping on a wide bed under a canopy, surrounded by the slumbering court. Prince Dйsirй and the Lilac Fairy enter and the Prince rushes to Auroraґs side. He calls to her in vain to wake her and then, in desperation, he kisses her. The spell is broken and Aurora awakes. The rest of the court stirs also, and the castle comes to life. Enchanted by Auroraґs beauty and charm, Dйsirй asks the King for her hand in marriage.

Act III
Scene 1: The Esplanade of King Florestanґs Castle
The wedding of Prince Dйsirй and Princess Aurora.
The court assembles for the wedding celebrations. At a sign from the King, the celebrations begin, first with national dances, then with a procession of fairy-tale characters. Aurora and Dйsirй are congratulated by the Diamond, Sapphire, Gold and Silver Fairies. Finally it is the turn of Dйsirй and Aurora themselves to dance.

National musical drama in five acts, six scenes
(1960 Production)
Music by Modest Musorgsky
Orchestrated by Dmitry Shostakovich
Libretto by the composer
Performed in Russian
The performance will have synchronised
English supertitles
World premiere: 21 February 1886, Amateur Musical-Dramatic Club in Kononov Auditorium, St Petersburg
First performance at the Mariinsky Theatre: 7 November 1911, St Petersburg
Revival of the 1960 production: 1 May 2000, Mariinsky Theatre, St Petersburg
Running time: 4 hours 40 minutes
The Performance has two intermissions

Credits
Musical Director: Valery Gergiev
Stage Director: Leonid Baratov (1960)
Set Designer: Fyodor Fyodorovsky
New stage version: Yuri Alexandrov (2000)
Revival Designer: Vyacheslav Okunev
Revival Costume Designer: Tatiana Noginova
Lighting Designer: Vladimir Lukasevich
Principal Chorus Master: Andrei Petrenko
Musical Preparation: Marina Mishuk

SYNOPSIS

Act I
St Basil s Square, Moscow, below the walls of the Kremlin
A patrol of Streltsy gathers in the early light and boasts of their exploits during the previous nightґs fighting against their great enemies, the boyars. As a reminder of these events a monument has been set up in the square, recording on it the names of those executed in the riots.
After they leave, a public scrivener sets up his shop as the boyar Shaklovity, a protege of the Tsarevna Sophia, arrives to dictate an anonymous letter to Tsar Peter. In it he denounces the Khovansky family for their part in plots to seize power. They are also members of a schismatic religious sect, the Old Believers, which lends them its support. People making their way across the square stop at the monument and make the unwilling scrivener read what is written on it. When they hear about the sedition and overweening power assumed by the Streltsy they lament the state of their homeland.
Streltsy appear on the square and Prince Ivan Khovansky enters. Acknowledging their acclamations he begins a tour of the city.
When the crowd disperses, Khovanskyґs son Prince Andrei tries to force his affections on Emma, a young girl from the German Lutheran settlement. This scene is stopped by the arrival of Andreiґs former mistress, Marfa, an Old Believer. She saves Emma from Andreiґs unwanted attentions and reproaches him with his unfaithfulness.
Prince Ivan now returns with the Streltsy. He is attracted to Emma himself and orders his men to take her to his palace. Father and son quarrel bitterly over the girl and Andrei would rather kill her than give her up. As Marfa leads Emma away the Khovanskys grudgingly yield to the will of their powerful religious ally.

Act II
Scene 1: Prince Golitsynґs Palace
Prince Vasily Golitsyn is reading a love letter from the Tsarevna Sophia. Even though she has appointed him her chancellor he is plotting with the Khovanskys against her. But his thirst for power is mixed with doubts about the future.
Meanwhile Golitsyn has summoned Marfa secretly to his rooms because he has heard of her skills in prophecy. She divines his fortune in a bowl of water and foretells what he fears most from his political manoeuvring - betrayal, disgrace, exile and poverty. Golitsyn dismisses her, and when she has gone orders his servant Varsonofiev to have her followed and drowned. Golitsyn is left alone and in despair he muses on the fate of Russia.
Ivan Khovansky then arrives, bitterly accusing Golitsyn of weakening the power of the nobles, and their meeting drifts towards violence. Only the appearance of Dosifei, who has been invited to join them, prevents bloodshed. He urges them to return to the Old Faith, and it is only now that we learn how he too was once a high-ranking prince who has given up temporal power to find a better way of serving Russiaґs needs. But despite their intention to agree on concerted action they are unable to reach an understanding.
Marfa then runs in and tells Dosifei that someone has tried to kill her - on Golitsynґs orders. She was saved only by the intervention of some soldiers of the young Tsar Peter. Both Dosifei and the princes are alarmed by the news of Peterґs close proximity.
The boyar Shaklovity appears and informs them that a denunciation of the Khovanskys has been posted in the village of Ismailovsky, where Tsar Peter has been living. Incensed by what he calls "Khovanshchina" Peter has ordered an investigation. As Shaklovity is speaking, a detachment of the Tsarґs troops passes below the window.

Scene 2: The Streltsy Quarter outside the Khovanskysґ house Marfa has come to the Khovanskysґ house, unable to overcome her love for Andrei despite the acute pain of his betrayal. Musing to herself she pours out her feelings, while knowing that she has no power left after what has happened. She leaves with her emotions unresolved.
Shaklovity enters alone. Clever, yet untrustworthy, he is fully aware of the magnitude and the gravity of the divisions Russia is now facing. He withdraws as a group of drunken Streltsy arrives. Raucously they boast about their prowess in fighting and drinking, while their womenfolk rebuke them. Peace is restored with a song. But the scrivener runs in and announces that Peterґs troops have attacked Streltsy houses nearby. Those present are stunned by the news and call Prince Ivan Khovansky to come out and lead a counter-attack. Khovansky reluctantly appears but is subdued. He realises that nothing can be done and tells the Streltsy to submit to the will of the Tsar.

Act III
Scene 1: Inside Ivan Khovanskyґs house
Refusing to call out the Streltsy against Peter, Ivan Khovansky has withdrawn to his estates. He is troubled and orders his servants to entertain him with cheerful songs.
Varsonofiev, as Golitsynґs envoy, warns him of Sophiaґs displeasure and advises him that his life may be in danger. Khovansky ignores the warning and has Varsonofiev flogged. He summons Persian slave girls to dance for him. Suddenly Shaklovity appears and in the name of the Tsarevna Sophia invites Khovansky to a meeting of the Grand Council. Khovansky is immensely flattered and sends for his finest robes. As he is about to leave, one of Shaklovityґs henchmen stabs him to death.

Scene 2: St Basilґs Square
Other members of the conspiracy are falling from power too. Sophia has been ousted and Golitsyn is being sent into exile.
The terrible news reaches Marfa and Dosifei that Tsar Peter has ordered his troops against the Old Believers. Realising that their position is hopeless, Dosifei decides that they must choose martyrdom rather than surrender, but that Prince Andrei must die with them.
Marfa tells Andrei that his father has already been assassinated but Andrei will not believe it. Ignorant of the total collapse of the conspiracy he is convinced that his faithful Streltsy will answer his summons to fight. He blows a horn but in reply the cathedral bells begin to toll. To their ringing a group of Streltsy are led to execution. Andrei begs Marfa to save him and they leave together.
The young boyar Streshnev then appears as Tsar Peterґs envoy to announce that the Streltsy have been pardoned.

Act IV
The Monastery of the Old Believers in the forest
The Old Believers assemble for the last time, hoping to hide from Peterґs troops, but their monastery is now surrounded.
Dosifei calls on them to choose death in the flames of their church rather than surrender.
Trumpet calls in the forest indicate how close the Tsarґs troops are. Following the steady file of other Old Believers, Marfa leads Andrei into the church. They set fire to the building and the monastery blazes as troops appear.