Boris Godunov

Boris Godunov (1552–1605) accumulates power with firm determination. But the ghosts of the past catch up with him and he ends up dying mad, abandoned and betrayed by everyone. Meanwhile, the country sinks ever deeper into a mire of corruption, intrigue and coups.

Russia today

Kirill Serebrennikov, multi-talented and equally at home in the worlds of opera, theatre and film, previously surprised Amsterdam audiences with his unconventional interpretation of Carl Maria von Weber’s Der Freischütz. Now he returns to present his take on Mussorgsky’s opera about political turmoil and its consequences. In Serebrennikov’s production, parallels with modern-day Russia, which is dominated by high-stake political schemes at the cost of the country’s people, will be clearly drawn. 

Leading the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, acclaimed conductor Vasily Petrenko will make his debut with Dutch National Opera. Also at his disposal is the Chorus of Dutch National Opera in full force and a top-flight cast of singers. Leading bass-baritone Tomasz Konieczny, celebrated for his ability to get into the skin of his characters both vocally and in his acting, will be singing Boris Godunov for the first time. 

In other roles, much-loved singers will be returning to Amsterdam, including mezzo-soprano Raehann Bryce-Davis (previously Ježibaba in Rusalka) as Marina Mnishek, bass Dmitry Ulyanov (previously Prince Galitsky/Khan Konchak in Prince Igor) as Pimen and tenor Najmiddin Mavlyanov (previously Calaf in Turandot) as Grigory.