Введение
Опера Модеста Мусоргского
«Борис Годунов» – опера Модеста Мусоргского (1839–1881). Работа была написана между 1868 и 1873 годами в Санкт-Петербурге, Россия. Это единственная завершённая опера Мусоргского и считается его шедевром. В её основе лежат события, связанные с русским правителем Борисом Годуновым, правившим как царь (1598–1605) в период Смутного времени, и его противником, Лжедмитрием (правил 1605–1606). Либретто на русском языке написано самим композитором и основано на драме Александра Пушкина «Борис Годунов» (1825), а в пересмотренной версии 1872 года – на «Истории государства Российского» Николая Карамзина. Среди крупных опер «Борис Годунов» разделяет с «Дон Карлосом» Джузеппе Верди (1867) особенность – чрезвычайно сложную историю создания и обилие альтернативных материалов. Композитор создал две версии: оригинальную версию 1869 года, отклоненную для постановки в Императорских театрах, и пересмотренную версию 1872 года, впервые представленную в 1874 году в Санкт-Петербурге. «Борис Годунов» часто подвергался сокращениям, перекомпоновке, новой оркестровке, транспонированию сцен или объединению оригинальной и пересмотренной версий. Несколько композиторов, в первую очередь Николай Римский-Корсаков и Дмитрий Шостакович, создали новые редакции оперы, чтобы «исправить» кажущиеся технические недостатки в оригинальных партитурах композитора. Хотя эти версии удерживались на сцене в течение десятилетий, индивидуальный гармонический стиль и оркестровка Мусоргского теперь ценятся за их оригинальность, а редакции других композиторов вышли из моды. В 1980-х годах «Борис Годунов» был ближе к статусу репертуарной оперы, чем любая другая русская опера, даже «Евгений Онегин» Чайковского, и является самой часто записываемой русской оперой.
История публикаций
ГодРедакторИздательствоПримечания1874Партитура для фортепиано с вокальной партиейМодест МусоргскийV. Bessel и Ко, Санкт-ПетербургПереработанная версия 1896 года1896Полная партитураНиколай Римский-КорсаковV. Bessel и Ко, Санкт-ПетербургРезко отредактированная, переоркестрованная и сокращенная версия вокальной партитуры 1874 года1908Полная партитураНиколай Римский-КорсаковV. Bessel и Ко, Санкт-ПетербургРезко отредактированная и переоркестрованная версия вокальной партитуры 1874 года1928Партитура для фортепиано с вокальной партиейПавел ЛаммМузсектор, Москва; Oxford University Press, ЛондонВосстановление партитур композитора; сочетание оригинальной и переработанной версий, с указанием источниковПолная партитураПавел Ламм и Борис АсафьевМузсектор, Москва; Oxford University Press, ЛондонВосстановление партитур композитора; сочетание оригинальной и переработанной версий; ограниченный тираж – 200 экземпляров1963Полная партитураДмитрий ШостаковичМузгиз, МоскваНовая оркестровка вокальной партитуры Ламма; сочетание оригинальной и переработанной версий1975Полная партитураДэвид Ллойд ДжонсOxford University Press, ЛондонВосстановление партитур композитора; сочетание оригинальной и переработанной версий, с указанием источников
Историческая основа участка
Понимание драмы «Бориса Годунова» может быть облегчено базовыми знаниями исторических событий, связанных со Смутным временем – периодом относительной анархии, последовавшим за окончанием династии Рюриковичей (1598) и предшествовавшим династии Романовых (1613). Ключевые события:
1584 – Ivan IV "The Terrible", the first Grand Prince of Muscovy to officially adopt the title Tsar (Caesar), dies. Ivan's successor is his feeble son, Fyodor I, who cares only for spiritual matters and leaves the affairs of state to his capable brother in law, boyar Boris Godunov. 1591 – Ivan's other son, the eight year old Tsarevich Dmitriy Ivanovich, dies under mysterious circumstances in Uglich. An investigation, ordered by Godunov and carried out by Prince Vasiliy Shuysky, determines that the Tsarevich, while playing with a knife, suffered an epileptic seizure, fell, and died from a self inflicted wound to the throat. Dmitriy's mother, Maria Nagaya, banished with him to Uglich by Godunov, claims he was assassinated. Rumors linking Boris to the death are circulated by his enemies. 1598 – Tsar Fyodor I dies. He is the last of the Ryurik Dynasty, who have ruled Russia for seven centuries. Patriarch Job of Moscow nominates Boris to succeed as Tsar, despite the rumors that Boris ordered the murder of Dmitriy. Boris agrees to accept the throne only if elected by the Zemsky Sobor. This the assembly does unanimously, and Boris is crowned the same year. 1601 – The Russian famine of 1601–1603 undermines Boris Godunov's popularity and the stability of his administration. 1604 – A pretender to the throne appears in Poland, claiming to be Tsarevich Dmitriy, but believed to be in reality one Grigoriy Otrepyev. He gains the support of the Szlachta, magnates, and, upon conversion to Roman Catholicism, the Apostolic Nuncio Claudio Rangoni. Obtaining a force of soldiers, he marches on Moscow. The False Dmitriy's retinue includes the Jesuits Lawicki and Czernikowski, and the monks Varlaam and Misail of the Chudov Monastery. Crossing into Russia, Dmitriy's invasion force is joined by disaffected Cossacks. However, after a few victories, the campaign falters. Polish mercenaries mutiny and desert. 1605 – Boris dies of unknown causes. He is succeeded by his son, Fyodor II. The death of Boris gives new life to the campaign of the False Dmitriy. Boyars who have gone over to the Pretender murder Fyodor II and his mother. The False Dmitriy enters Moscow and is soon crowned. Prince Shuysky begins plotting against him. 1606 – The Russian boyars oppose Dmitriy's Polish and Catholic alliances. He is murdered shortly after wedding Marina Mniszech, and is succeeded by Vasiliy Shuysky, now Vasiliy IV. 1610 – Battle of Klushino and Polish seizure and occupation of Moscow. Vasiliy IV is deposed, and dies two years later in a Polish prison. Another pretender claiming to be Dmitriy Ivanovich, False Dmitriy II, is murdered. 1611 – Yet a third pretender, False Dmitriy III, appears. He is captured and executed in 1612. 1613 – The Time of Troubles comes to a close with the accession of Mikhail Romanov, son of Fyodor Romanov, who had been persecuted under Boris Godunov's reign. Note: The culpability of Boris in the matter of Dmitriy's death can neither be proved nor disproved. Karamzin accepted his responsibility as fact, and Pushkin and Mussorgsky after him assumed his guilt to be true, at least for the purpose of creating a tragedy in the mold of Shakespeare. Modern historians, however, tend to acquit Boris.
1584 – Иван IV «Грозный», первый великий князь Московский, официально принявший титул царя (цезаря), умирает. Преемником Ивана становится его болезненный сын Фёдор I, заботившийся лишь о духовных делах и оставивший государственные дела своему способному зятю, боярину Борису Годунову.
1584 – Ivan IV "The Terrible", the first Grand Prince of Muscovy to officially adopt the title Tsar (Caesar), dies. Ivan's successor is his feeble son, Fyodor I, who cares only for spiritual matters and leaves the affairs of state to his capable brother in law, boyar Boris Godunov. 1591 – Ivan's other son, the eight year old Tsarevich Dmitriy Ivanovich, dies under mysterious circumstances in Uglich. An investigation, ordered by Godunov and carried out by Prince Vasiliy Shuysky, determines that the Tsarevich, while playing with a knife, suffered an epileptic seizure, fell, and died from a self inflicted wound to the throat. Dmitriy's mother, Maria Nagaya, banished with him to Uglich by Godunov, claims he was assassinated. Rumors linking Boris to the death are circulated by his enemies. 1598 – Tsar Fyodor I dies. He is the last of the Ryurik Dynasty, who have ruled Russia for seven centuries. Patriarch Job of Moscow nominates Boris to succeed as Tsar, despite the rumors that Boris ordered the murder of Dmitriy. Boris agrees to accept the throne only if elected by the Zemsky Sobor. This the assembly does unanimously, and Boris is crowned the same year. 1601 – The Russian famine of 1601–1603 undermines Boris Godunov's popularity and the stability of his administration. 1604 – A pretender to the throne appears in Poland, claiming to be Tsarevich Dmitriy, but believed to be in reality one Grigoriy Otrepyev. He gains the support of the Szlachta, magnates, and, upon conversion to Roman Catholicism, the Apostolic Nuncio Claudio Rangoni. Obtaining a force of soldiers, he marches on Moscow. The False Dmitriy's retinue includes the Jesuits Lawicki and Czernikowski, and the monks Varlaam and Misail of the Chudov Monastery. Crossing into Russia, Dmitriy's invasion force is joined by disaffected Cossacks. However, after a few victories, the campaign falters. Polish mercenaries mutiny and desert. 1605 – Boris dies of unknown causes. He is succeeded by his son, Fyodor II. The death of Boris gives new life to the campaign of the False Dmitriy. Boyars who have gone over to the Pretender murder Fyodor II and his mother. The False Dmitriy enters Moscow and is soon crowned. Prince Shuysky begins plotting against him. 1606 – The Russian boyars oppose Dmitriy's Polish and Catholic alliances. He is murdered shortly after wedding Marina Mniszech, and is succeeded by Vasiliy Shuysky, now Vasiliy IV. 1610 – Battle of Klushino and Polish seizure and occupation of Moscow. Vasiliy IV is deposed, and dies two years later in a Polish prison. Another pretender claiming to be Dmitriy Ivanovich, False Dmitriy II, is murdered. 1611 – Yet a third pretender, False Dmitriy III, appears. He is captured and executed in 1612. 1613 – The Time of Troubles comes to a close with the accession of Mikhail Romanov, son of Fyodor Romanov, who had been persecuted under Boris Godunov's reign. Note: The culpability of Boris in the matter of Dmitriy's death can neither be proved nor disproved. Karamzin accepted his responsibility as fact, and Pushkin and Mussorgsky after him assumed his guilt to be true, at least for the purpose of creating a tragedy in the mold of Shakespeare. Modern historians, however, tend to acquit Boris.
1591 – Второй сын Ивана, восьмилетний царевич Дмитрий Иванович, умирает при загадочных обстоятельствах в Угличе. Расследование, заказанное Годуновым и проведённое князем Василием Шуйским, установило, что царевич, играя с ножом, страдал от эпилептического припадка, упал и умер от раны в горло, нанесённой себе самостоятельно. Мать Дмитрия, Мария Нагая, сосланная с ним в Углич Годуновым, утверждает, что он был убит. Слухи, связывающие Бориса со смертью Дмитрия, распространяются его врагами.
1584 – Ivan IV "The Terrible", the first Grand Prince of Muscovy to officially adopt the title Tsar (Caesar), dies. Ivan's successor is his feeble son, Fyodor I, who cares only for spiritual matters and leaves the affairs of state to his capable brother in law, boyar Boris Godunov. 1591 – Ivan's other son, the eight year old Tsarevich Dmitriy Ivanovich, dies under mysterious circumstances in Uglich. An investigation, ordered by Godunov and carried out by Prince Vasiliy Shuysky, determines that the Tsarevich, while playing with a knife, suffered an epileptic seizure, fell, and died from a self inflicted wound to the throat. Dmitriy's mother, Maria Nagaya, banished with him to Uglich by Godunov, claims he was assassinated. Rumors linking Boris to the death are circulated by his enemies. 1598 – Tsar Fyodor I dies. He is the last of the Ryurik Dynasty, who have ruled Russia for seven centuries. Patriarch Job of Moscow nominates Boris to succeed as Tsar, despite the rumors that Boris ordered the murder of Dmitriy. Boris agrees to accept the throne only if elected by the Zemsky Sobor. This the assembly does unanimously, and Boris is crowned the same year. 1601 – The Russian famine of 1601–1603 undermines Boris Godunov's popularity and the stability of his administration. 1604 – A pretender to the throne appears in Poland, claiming to be Tsarevich Dmitriy, but believed to be in reality one Grigoriy Otrepyev. He gains the support of the Szlachta, magnates, and, upon conversion to Roman Catholicism, the Apostolic Nuncio Claudio Rangoni. Obtaining a force of soldiers, he marches on Moscow. The False Dmitriy's retinue includes the Jesuits Lawicki and Czernikowski, and the monks Varlaam and Misail of the Chudov Monastery. Crossing into Russia, Dmitriy's invasion force is joined by disaffected Cossacks. However, after a few victories, the campaign falters. Polish mercenaries mutiny and desert. 1605 – Boris dies of unknown causes. He is succeeded by his son, Fyodor II. The death of Boris gives new life to the campaign of the False Dmitriy. Boyars who have gone over to the Pretender murder Fyodor II and his mother. The False Dmitriy enters Moscow and is soon crowned. Prince Shuysky begins plotting against him. 1606 – The Russian boyars oppose Dmitriy's Polish and Catholic alliances. He is murdered shortly after wedding Marina Mniszech, and is succeeded by Vasiliy Shuysky, now Vasiliy IV. 1610 – Battle of Klushino and Polish seizure and occupation of Moscow. Vasiliy IV is deposed, and dies two years later in a Polish prison. Another pretender claiming to be Dmitriy Ivanovich, False Dmitriy II, is murdered. 1611 – Yet a third pretender, False Dmitriy III, appears. He is captured and executed in 1612. 1613 – The Time of Troubles comes to a close with the accession of Mikhail Romanov, son of Fyodor Romanov, who had been persecuted under Boris Godunov's reign. Note: The culpability of Boris in the matter of Dmitriy's death can neither be proved nor disproved. Karamzin accepted his responsibility as fact, and Pushkin and Mussorgsky after him assumed his guilt to be true, at least for the purpose of creating a tragedy in the mold of Shakespeare. Modern historians, however, tend to acquit Boris.
1598 – Царь Фёдор I умирает. Он последний из династии Рюриковичей, правившей Россией на протяжении семи столетий. Патриарх Иов Московский предлагает кандидатуру Бориса на царство, несмотря на слухи о том, что Борис приказал убить Дмитрия. Борис соглашается принять престол лишь в случае избрания его Земским собором. Собрание единогласно избирает его, и Борис коронуется в том же году.
1584 – Ivan IV "The Terrible", the first Grand Prince of Muscovy to officially adopt the title Tsar (Caesar), dies. Ivan's successor is his feeble son, Fyodor I, who cares only for spiritual matters and leaves the affairs of state to his capable brother in law, boyar Boris Godunov. 1591 – Ivan's other son, the eight year old Tsarevich Dmitriy Ivanovich, dies under mysterious circumstances in Uglich. An investigation, ordered by Godunov and carried out by Prince Vasiliy Shuysky, determines that the Tsarevich, while playing with a knife, suffered an epileptic seizure, fell, and died from a self inflicted wound to the throat. Dmitriy's mother, Maria Nagaya, banished with him to Uglich by Godunov, claims he was assassinated. Rumors linking Boris to the death are circulated by his enemies. 1598 – Tsar Fyodor I dies. He is the last of the Ryurik Dynasty, who have ruled Russia for seven centuries. Patriarch Job of Moscow nominates Boris to succeed as Tsar, despite the rumors that Boris ordered the murder of Dmitriy. Boris agrees to accept the throne only if elected by the Zemsky Sobor. This the assembly does unanimously, and Boris is crowned the same year. 1601 – The Russian famine of 1601–1603 undermines Boris Godunov's popularity and the stability of his administration. 1604 – A pretender to the throne appears in Poland, claiming to be Tsarevich Dmitriy, but believed to be in reality one Grigoriy Otrepyev. He gains the support of the Szlachta, magnates, and, upon conversion to Roman Catholicism, the Apostolic Nuncio Claudio Rangoni. Obtaining a force of soldiers, he marches on Moscow. The False Dmitriy's retinue includes the Jesuits Lawicki and Czernikowski, and the monks Varlaam and Misail of the Chudov Monastery. Crossing into Russia, Dmitriy's invasion force is joined by disaffected Cossacks. However, after a few victories, the campaign falters. Polish mercenaries mutiny and desert. 1605 – Boris dies of unknown causes. He is succeeded by his son, Fyodor II. The death of Boris gives new life to the campaign of the False Dmitriy. Boyars who have gone over to the Pretender murder Fyodor II and his mother. The False Dmitriy enters Moscow and is soon crowned. Prince Shuysky begins plotting against him. 1606 – The Russian boyars oppose Dmitriy's Polish and Catholic alliances. He is murdered shortly after wedding Marina Mniszech, and is succeeded by Vasiliy Shuysky, now Vasiliy IV. 1610 – Battle of Klushino and Polish seizure and occupation of Moscow. Vasiliy IV is deposed, and dies two years later in a Polish prison. Another pretender claiming to be Dmitriy Ivanovich, False Dmitriy II, is murdered. 1611 – Yet a third pretender, False Dmitriy III, appears. He is captured and executed in 1612. 1613 – The Time of Troubles comes to a close with the accession of Mikhail Romanov, son of Fyodor Romanov, who had been persecuted under Boris Godunov's reign. Note: The culpability of Boris in the matter of Dmitriy's death can neither be proved nor disproved. Karamzin accepted his responsibility as fact, and Pushkin and Mussorgsky after him assumed his guilt to be true, at least for the purpose of creating a tragedy in the mold of Shakespeare. Modern historians, however, tend to acquit Boris.
1601 – Русский голод 1601–1603 годов подрывает популярность Бориса Годунова и стабильность его правления.
1584 – Ivan IV "The Terrible", the first Grand Prince of Muscovy to officially adopt the title Tsar (Caesar), dies. Ivan's successor is his feeble son, Fyodor I, who cares only for spiritual matters and leaves the affairs of state to his capable brother in law, boyar Boris Godunov. 1591 – Ivan's other son, the eight year old Tsarevich Dmitriy Ivanovich, dies under mysterious circumstances in Uglich. An investigation, ordered by Godunov and carried out by Prince Vasiliy Shuysky, determines that the Tsarevich, while playing with a knife, suffered an epileptic seizure, fell, and died from a self inflicted wound to the throat. Dmitriy's mother, Maria Nagaya, banished with him to Uglich by Godunov, claims he was assassinated. Rumors linking Boris to the death are circulated by his enemies. 1598 – Tsar Fyodor I dies. He is the last of the Ryurik Dynasty, who have ruled Russia for seven centuries. Patriarch Job of Moscow nominates Boris to succeed as Tsar, despite the rumors that Boris ordered the murder of Dmitriy. Boris agrees to accept the throne only if elected by the Zemsky Sobor. This the assembly does unanimously, and Boris is crowned the same year. 1601 – The Russian famine of 1601–1603 undermines Boris Godunov's popularity and the stability of his administration. 1604 – A pretender to the throne appears in Poland, claiming to be Tsarevich Dmitriy, but believed to be in reality one Grigoriy Otrepyev. He gains the support of the Szlachta, magnates, and, upon conversion to Roman Catholicism, the Apostolic Nuncio Claudio Rangoni. Obtaining a force of soldiers, he marches on Moscow. The False Dmitriy's retinue includes the Jesuits Lawicki and Czernikowski, and the monks Varlaam and Misail of the Chudov Monastery. Crossing into Russia, Dmitriy's invasion force is joined by disaffected Cossacks. However, after a few victories, the campaign falters. Polish mercenaries mutiny and desert. 1605 – Boris dies of unknown causes. He is succeeded by his son, Fyodor II. The death of Boris gives new life to the campaign of the False Dmitriy. Boyars who have gone over to the Pretender murder Fyodor II and his mother. The False Dmitriy enters Moscow and is soon crowned. Prince Shuysky begins plotting against him. 1606 – The Russian boyars oppose Dmitriy's Polish and Catholic alliances. He is murdered shortly after wedding Marina Mniszech, and is succeeded by Vasiliy Shuysky, now Vasiliy IV. 1610 – Battle of Klushino and Polish seizure and occupation of Moscow. Vasiliy IV is deposed, and dies two years later in a Polish prison. Another pretender claiming to be Dmitriy Ivanovich, False Dmitriy II, is murdered. 1611 – Yet a third pretender, False Dmitriy III, appears. He is captured and executed in 1612. 1613 – The Time of Troubles comes to a close with the accession of Mikhail Romanov, son of Fyodor Romanov, who had been persecuted under Boris Godunov's reign. Note: The culpability of Boris in the matter of Dmitriy's death can neither be proved nor disproved. Karamzin accepted his responsibility as fact, and Pushkin and Mussorgsky after him assumed his guilt to be true, at least for the purpose of creating a tragedy in the mold of Shakespeare. Modern historians, however, tend to acquit Boris.
1604 – В Польше появляется самозванец, выдающий себя за царевича Дмитрия, но предположительно являющийся Григорием Отрепьевым. Он получает поддержку шляхты, магнатов и, после перехода в католичество, апостольского нунция Клаудио Рангони. Собрав войско, он направляется к Москве. В окружении Лжедмитрия I находятся иезуиты Лавицкий и Черниковский, а также монахи Варлаам и Мисаил из Чудова монастыря. Перейдя в Россию, войско Дмитрия пополняется недовольными казаками. Однако после нескольких побед кампания ослабевает. Польские наёмники поднимают мятеж и дезертируют.
1584 – Ivan IV "The Terrible", the first Grand Prince of Muscovy to officially adopt the title Tsar (Caesar), dies. Ivan's successor is his feeble son, Fyodor I, who cares only for spiritual matters and leaves the affairs of state to his capable brother in law, boyar Boris Godunov. 1591 – Ivan's other son, the eight year old Tsarevich Dmitriy Ivanovich, dies under mysterious circumstances in Uglich. An investigation, ordered by Godunov and carried out by Prince Vasiliy Shuysky, determines that the Tsarevich, while playing with a knife, suffered an epileptic seizure, fell, and died from a self inflicted wound to the throat. Dmitriy's mother, Maria Nagaya, banished with him to Uglich by Godunov, claims he was assassinated. Rumors linking Boris to the death are circulated by his enemies. 1598 – Tsar Fyodor I dies. He is the last of the Ryurik Dynasty, who have ruled Russia for seven centuries. Patriarch Job of Moscow nominates Boris to succeed as Tsar, despite the rumors that Boris ordered the murder of Dmitriy. Boris agrees to accept the throne only if elected by the Zemsky Sobor. This the assembly does unanimously, and Boris is crowned the same year. 1601 – The Russian famine of 1601–1603 undermines Boris Godunov's popularity and the stability of his administration. 1604 – A pretender to the throne appears in Poland, claiming to be Tsarevich Dmitriy, but believed to be in reality one Grigoriy Otrepyev. He gains the support of the Szlachta, magnates, and, upon conversion to Roman Catholicism, the Apostolic Nuncio Claudio Rangoni. Obtaining a force of soldiers, he marches on Moscow. The False Dmitriy's retinue includes the Jesuits Lawicki and Czernikowski, and the monks Varlaam and Misail of the Chudov Monastery. Crossing into Russia, Dmitriy's invasion force is joined by disaffected Cossacks. However, after a few victories, the campaign falters. Polish mercenaries mutiny and desert. 1605 – Boris dies of unknown causes. He is succeeded by his son, Fyodor II. The death of Boris gives new life to the campaign of the False Dmitriy. Boyars who have gone over to the Pretender murder Fyodor II and his mother. The False Dmitriy enters Moscow and is soon crowned. Prince Shuysky begins plotting against him. 1606 – The Russian boyars oppose Dmitriy's Polish and Catholic alliances. He is murdered shortly after wedding Marina Mniszech, and is succeeded by Vasiliy Shuysky, now Vasiliy IV. 1610 – Battle of Klushino and Polish seizure and occupation of Moscow. Vasiliy IV is deposed, and dies two years later in a Polish prison. Another pretender claiming to be Dmitriy Ivanovich, False Dmitriy II, is murdered. 1611 – Yet a third pretender, False Dmitriy III, appears. He is captured and executed in 1612. 1613 – The Time of Troubles comes to a close with the accession of Mikhail Romanov, son of Fyodor Romanov, who had been persecuted under Boris Godunov's reign. Note: The culpability of Boris in the matter of Dmitriy's death can neither be proved nor disproved. Karamzin accepted his responsibility as fact, and Pushkin and Mussorgsky after him assumed his guilt to be true, at least for the purpose of creating a tragedy in the mold of Shakespeare. Modern historians, however, tend to acquit Boris.
1605 – Борис умирает от неизвестной причины. Его преемником становится его сын Фёдор II. Смерть Бориса даёт новый импульс кампании Лжедмитрия I. Бояре, перешедшие на сторону самозванца, убивают Фёдора II и его мать. Лжедмитрий I входит в Москву и вскоре коронуется. Князь Шуйский начинает плести против него интриги.
1584 – Ivan IV "The Terrible", the first Grand Prince of Muscovy to officially adopt the title Tsar (Caesar), dies. Ivan's successor is his feeble son, Fyodor I, who cares only for spiritual matters and leaves the affairs of state to his capable brother in law, boyar Boris Godunov. 1591 – Ivan's other son, the eight year old Tsarevich Dmitriy Ivanovich, dies under mysterious circumstances in Uglich. An investigation, ordered by Godunov and carried out by Prince Vasiliy Shuysky, determines that the Tsarevich, while playing with a knife, suffered an epileptic seizure, fell, and died from a self inflicted wound to the throat. Dmitriy's mother, Maria Nagaya, banished with him to Uglich by Godunov, claims he was assassinated. Rumors linking Boris to the death are circulated by his enemies. 1598 – Tsar Fyodor I dies. He is the last of the Ryurik Dynasty, who have ruled Russia for seven centuries. Patriarch Job of Moscow nominates Boris to succeed as Tsar, despite the rumors that Boris ordered the murder of Dmitriy. Boris agrees to accept the throne only if elected by the Zemsky Sobor. This the assembly does unanimously, and Boris is crowned the same year. 1601 – The Russian famine of 1601–1603 undermines Boris Godunov's popularity and the stability of his administration. 1604 – A pretender to the throne appears in Poland, claiming to be Tsarevich Dmitriy, but believed to be in reality one Grigoriy Otrepyev. He gains the support of the Szlachta, magnates, and, upon conversion to Roman Catholicism, the Apostolic Nuncio Claudio Rangoni. Obtaining a force of soldiers, he marches on Moscow. The False Dmitriy's retinue includes the Jesuits Lawicki and Czernikowski, and the monks Varlaam and Misail of the Chudov Monastery. Crossing into Russia, Dmitriy's invasion force is joined by disaffected Cossacks. However, after a few victories, the campaign falters. Polish mercenaries mutiny and desert. 1605 – Boris dies of unknown causes. He is succeeded by his son, Fyodor II. The death of Boris gives new life to the campaign of the False Dmitriy. Boyars who have gone over to the Pretender murder Fyodor II and his mother. The False Dmitriy enters Moscow and is soon crowned. Prince Shuysky begins plotting against him. 1606 – The Russian boyars oppose Dmitriy's Polish and Catholic alliances. He is murdered shortly after wedding Marina Mniszech, and is succeeded by Vasiliy Shuysky, now Vasiliy IV. 1610 – Battle of Klushino and Polish seizure and occupation of Moscow. Vasiliy IV is deposed, and dies two years later in a Polish prison. Another pretender claiming to be Dmitriy Ivanovich, False Dmitriy II, is murdered. 1611 – Yet a third pretender, False Dmitriy III, appears. He is captured and executed in 1612. 1613 – The Time of Troubles comes to a close with the accession of Mikhail Romanov, son of Fyodor Romanov, who had been persecuted under Boris Godunov's reign. Note: The culpability of Boris in the matter of Dmitriy's death can neither be proved nor disproved. Karamzin accepted his responsibility as fact, and Pushkin and Mussorgsky after him assumed his guilt to be true, at least for the purpose of creating a tragedy in the mold of Shakespeare. Modern historians, however, tend to acquit Boris.
1606 – Русские бояре выступают против польских и католических союзов Дмитрия. Он убит вскоре после свадьбы с Мариной Мнишек, и ему на смену приходит Василий Шуйский, ставший Василием IV.
1584 – Ivan IV "The Terrible", the first Grand Prince of Muscovy to officially adopt the title Tsar (Caesar), dies. Ivan's successor is his feeble son, Fyodor I, who cares only for spiritual matters and leaves the affairs of state to his capable brother in law, boyar Boris Godunov. 1591 – Ivan's other son, the eight year old Tsarevich Dmitriy Ivanovich, dies under mysterious circumstances in Uglich. An investigation, ordered by Godunov and carried out by Prince Vasiliy Shuysky, determines that the Tsarevich, while playing with a knife, suffered an epileptic seizure, fell, and died from a self inflicted wound to the throat. Dmitriy's mother, Maria Nagaya, banished with him to Uglich by Godunov, claims he was assassinated. Rumors linking Boris to the death are circulated by his enemies. 1598 – Tsar Fyodor I dies. He is the last of the Ryurik Dynasty, who have ruled Russia for seven centuries. Patriarch Job of Moscow nominates Boris to succeed as Tsar, despite the rumors that Boris ordered the murder of Dmitriy. Boris agrees to accept the throne only if elected by the Zemsky Sobor. This the assembly does unanimously, and Boris is crowned the same year. 1601 – The Russian famine of 1601–1603 undermines Boris Godunov's popularity and the stability of his administration. 1604 – A pretender to the throne appears in Poland, claiming to be Tsarevich Dmitriy, but believed to be in reality one Grigoriy Otrepyev. He gains the support of the Szlachta, magnates, and, upon conversion to Roman Catholicism, the Apostolic Nuncio Claudio Rangoni. Obtaining a force of soldiers, he marches on Moscow. The False Dmitriy's retinue includes the Jesuits Lawicki and Czernikowski, and the monks Varlaam and Misail of the Chudov Monastery. Crossing into Russia, Dmitriy's invasion force is joined by disaffected Cossacks. However, after a few victories, the campaign falters. Polish mercenaries mutiny and desert. 1605 – Boris dies of unknown causes. He is succeeded by his son, Fyodor II. The death of Boris gives new life to the campaign of the False Dmitriy. Boyars who have gone over to the Pretender murder Fyodor II and his mother. The False Dmitriy enters Moscow and is soon crowned. Prince Shuysky begins plotting against him. 1606 – The Russian boyars oppose Dmitriy's Polish and Catholic alliances. He is murdered shortly after wedding Marina Mniszech, and is succeeded by Vasiliy Shuysky, now Vasiliy IV. 1610 – Battle of Klushino and Polish seizure and occupation of Moscow. Vasiliy IV is deposed, and dies two years later in a Polish prison. Another pretender claiming to be Dmitriy Ivanovich, False Dmitriy II, is murdered. 1611 – Yet a third pretender, False Dmitriy III, appears. He is captured and executed in 1612. 1613 – The Time of Troubles comes to a close with the accession of Mikhail Romanov, son of Fyodor Romanov, who had been persecuted under Boris Godunov's reign. Note: The culpability of Boris in the matter of Dmitriy's death can neither be proved nor disproved. Karamzin accepted his responsibility as fact, and Pushkin and Mussorgsky after him assumed his guilt to be true, at least for the purpose of creating a tragedy in the mold of Shakespeare. Modern historians, however, tend to acquit Boris.
1610 – Битва при Клушино и польский захват и оккупация Москвы. Василий IV свергнут и умирает два года спустя в польской тюрьме. Убит ещё один самозванец, выдававший себя за Дмитрия Ивановича – Лжедмитрий II.
1584 – Ivan IV "The Terrible", the first Grand Prince of Muscovy to officially adopt the title Tsar (Caesar), dies. Ivan's successor is his feeble son, Fyodor I, who cares only for spiritual matters and leaves the affairs of state to his capable brother in law, boyar Boris Godunov. 1591 – Ivan's other son, the eight year old Tsarevich Dmitriy Ivanovich, dies under mysterious circumstances in Uglich. An investigation, ordered by Godunov and carried out by Prince Vasiliy Shuysky, determines that the Tsarevich, while playing with a knife, suffered an epileptic seizure, fell, and died from a self inflicted wound to the throat. Dmitriy's mother, Maria Nagaya, banished with him to Uglich by Godunov, claims he was assassinated. Rumors linking Boris to the death are circulated by his enemies. 1598 – Tsar Fyodor I dies. He is the last of the Ryurik Dynasty, who have ruled Russia for seven centuries. Patriarch Job of Moscow nominates Boris to succeed as Tsar, despite the rumors that Boris ordered the murder of Dmitriy. Boris agrees to accept the throne only if elected by the Zemsky Sobor. This the assembly does unanimously, and Boris is crowned the same year. 1601 – The Russian famine of 1601–1603 undermines Boris Godunov's popularity and the stability of his administration. 1604 – A pretender to the throne appears in Poland, claiming to be Tsarevich Dmitriy, but believed to be in reality one Grigoriy Otrepyev. He gains the support of the Szlachta, magnates, and, upon conversion to Roman Catholicism, the Apostolic Nuncio Claudio Rangoni. Obtaining a force of soldiers, he marches on Moscow. The False Dmitriy's retinue includes the Jesuits Lawicki and Czernikowski, and the monks Varlaam and Misail of the Chudov Monastery. Crossing into Russia, Dmitriy's invasion force is joined by disaffected Cossacks. However, after a few victories, the campaign falters. Polish mercenaries mutiny and desert. 1605 – Boris dies of unknown causes. He is succeeded by his son, Fyodor II. The death of Boris gives new life to the campaign of the False Dmitriy. Boyars who have gone over to the Pretender murder Fyodor II and his mother. The False Dmitriy enters Moscow and is soon crowned. Prince Shuysky begins plotting against him. 1606 – The Russian boyars oppose Dmitriy's Polish and Catholic alliances. He is murdered shortly after wedding Marina Mniszech, and is succeeded by Vasiliy Shuysky, now Vasiliy IV. 1610 – Battle of Klushino and Polish seizure and occupation of Moscow. Vasiliy IV is deposed, and dies two years later in a Polish prison. Another pretender claiming to be Dmitriy Ivanovich, False Dmitriy II, is murdered. 1611 – Yet a third pretender, False Dmitriy III, appears. He is captured and executed in 1612. 1613 – The Time of Troubles comes to a close with the accession of Mikhail Romanov, son of Fyodor Romanov, who had been persecuted under Boris Godunov's reign. Note: The culpability of Boris in the matter of Dmitriy's death can neither be proved nor disproved. Karamzin accepted his responsibility as fact, and Pushkin and Mussorgsky after him assumed his guilt to be true, at least for the purpose of creating a tragedy in the mold of Shakespeare. Modern historians, however, tend to acquit Boris.
1611 – Появляется третий самозванец – Лжедмитрий III. Он захвачен и казнён в 1612 году.
1584 – Ivan IV "The Terrible", the first Grand Prince of Muscovy to officially adopt the title Tsar (Caesar), dies. Ivan's successor is his feeble son, Fyodor I, who cares only for spiritual matters and leaves the affairs of state to his capable brother in law, boyar Boris Godunov. 1591 – Ivan's other son, the eight year old Tsarevich Dmitriy Ivanovich, dies under mysterious circumstances in Uglich. An investigation, ordered by Godunov and carried out by Prince Vasiliy Shuysky, determines that the Tsarevich, while playing with a knife, suffered an epileptic seizure, fell, and died from a self inflicted wound to the throat. Dmitriy's mother, Maria Nagaya, banished with him to Uglich by Godunov, claims he was assassinated. Rumors linking Boris to the death are circulated by his enemies. 1598 – Tsar Fyodor I dies. He is the last of the Ryurik Dynasty, who have ruled Russia for seven centuries. Patriarch Job of Moscow nominates Boris to succeed as Tsar, despite the rumors that Boris ordered the murder of Dmitriy. Boris agrees to accept the throne only if elected by the Zemsky Sobor. This the assembly does unanimously, and Boris is crowned the same year. 1601 – The Russian famine of 1601–1603 undermines Boris Godunov's popularity and the stability of his administration. 1604 – A pretender to the throne appears in Poland, claiming to be Tsarevich Dmitriy, but believed to be in reality one Grigoriy Otrepyev. He gains the support of the Szlachta, magnates, and, upon conversion to Roman Catholicism, the Apostolic Nuncio Claudio Rangoni. Obtaining a force of soldiers, he marches on Moscow. The False Dmitriy's retinue includes the Jesuits Lawicki and Czernikowski, and the monks Varlaam and Misail of the Chudov Monastery. Crossing into Russia, Dmitriy's invasion force is joined by disaffected Cossacks. However, after a few victories, the campaign falters. Polish mercenaries mutiny and desert. 1605 – Boris dies of unknown causes. He is succeeded by his son, Fyodor II. The death of Boris gives new life to the campaign of the False Dmitriy. Boyars who have gone over to the Pretender murder Fyodor II and his mother. The False Dmitriy enters Moscow and is soon crowned. Prince Shuysky begins plotting against him. 1606 – The Russian boyars oppose Dmitriy's Polish and Catholic alliances. He is murdered shortly after wedding Marina Mniszech, and is succeeded by Vasiliy Shuysky, now Vasiliy IV. 1610 – Battle of Klushino and Polish seizure and occupation of Moscow. Vasiliy IV is deposed, and dies two years later in a Polish prison. Another pretender claiming to be Dmitriy Ivanovich, False Dmitriy II, is murdered. 1611 – Yet a third pretender, False Dmitriy III, appears. He is captured and executed in 1612. 1613 – The Time of Troubles comes to a close with the accession of Mikhail Romanov, son of Fyodor Romanov, who had been persecuted under Boris Godunov's reign. Note: The culpability of Boris in the matter of Dmitriy's death can neither be proved nor disproved. Karamzin accepted his responsibility as fact, and Pushkin and Mussorgsky after him assumed his guilt to be true, at least for the purpose of creating a tragedy in the mold of Shakespeare. Modern historians, however, tend to acquit Boris.
1613 – Смутное время завершается восшествием на престол Михаила Романова, сына Фёдора Романова, преследовавшегося при правлении Бориса Годунова.
1584 – Ivan IV "The Terrible", the first Grand Prince of Muscovy to officially adopt the title Tsar (Caesar), dies. Ivan's successor is his feeble son, Fyodor I, who cares only for spiritual matters and leaves the affairs of state to his capable brother in law, boyar Boris Godunov. 1591 – Ivan's other son, the eight year old Tsarevich Dmitriy Ivanovich, dies under mysterious circumstances in Uglich. An investigation, ordered by Godunov and carried out by Prince Vasiliy Shuysky, determines that the Tsarevich, while playing with a knife, suffered an epileptic seizure, fell, and died from a self inflicted wound to the throat. Dmitriy's mother, Maria Nagaya, banished with him to Uglich by Godunov, claims he was assassinated. Rumors linking Boris to the death are circulated by his enemies. 1598 – Tsar Fyodor I dies. He is the last of the Ryurik Dynasty, who have ruled Russia for seven centuries. Patriarch Job of Moscow nominates Boris to succeed as Tsar, despite the rumors that Boris ordered the murder of Dmitriy. Boris agrees to accept the throne only if elected by the Zemsky Sobor. This the assembly does unanimously, and Boris is crowned the same year. 1601 – The Russian famine of 1601–1603 undermines Boris Godunov's popularity and the stability of his administration. 1604 – A pretender to the throne appears in Poland, claiming to be Tsarevich Dmitriy, but believed to be in reality one Grigoriy Otrepyev. He gains the support of the Szlachta, magnates, and, upon conversion to Roman Catholicism, the Apostolic Nuncio Claudio Rangoni. Obtaining a force of soldiers, he marches on Moscow. The False Dmitriy's retinue includes the Jesuits Lawicki and Czernikowski, and the monks Varlaam and Misail of the Chudov Monastery. Crossing into Russia, Dmitriy's invasion force is joined by disaffected Cossacks. However, after a few victories, the campaign falters. Polish mercenaries mutiny and desert. 1605 – Boris dies of unknown causes. He is succeeded by his son, Fyodor II. The death of Boris gives new life to the campaign of the False Dmitriy. Boyars who have gone over to the Pretender murder Fyodor II and his mother. The False Dmitriy enters Moscow and is soon crowned. Prince Shuysky begins plotting against him. 1606 – The Russian boyars oppose Dmitriy's Polish and Catholic alliances. He is murdered shortly after wedding Marina Mniszech, and is succeeded by Vasiliy Shuysky, now Vasiliy IV. 1610 – Battle of Klushino and Polish seizure and occupation of Moscow. Vasiliy IV is deposed, and dies two years later in a Polish prison. Another pretender claiming to be Dmitriy Ivanovich, False Dmitriy II, is murdered. 1611 – Yet a third pretender, False Dmitriy III, appears. He is captured and executed in 1612. 1613 – The Time of Troubles comes to a close with the accession of Mikhail Romanov, son of Fyodor Romanov, who had been persecuted under Boris Godunov's reign. Note: The culpability of Boris in the matter of Dmitriy's death can neither be proved nor disproved. Karamzin accepted his responsibility as fact, and Pushkin and Mussorgsky after him assumed his guilt to be true, at least for the purpose of creating a tragedy in the mold of Shakespeare. Modern historians, however, tend to acquit Boris.
Примечание: Вина Бориса в смерти Дмитрия не может быть ни доказана, ни опровергнута. Карамзин считал его виновным, а Пушкин и Мусоргский после него принимали его вину за истину, по крайней мере, для создания трагедии в духе Шекспира. Однако современные историки склонны оправдывать Бориса.
1584 – Ivan IV "The Terrible", the first Grand Prince of Muscovy to officially adopt the title Tsar (Caesar), dies. Ivan's successor is his feeble son, Fyodor I, who cares only for spiritual matters and leaves the affairs of state to his capable brother in law, boyar Boris Godunov. 1591 – Ivan's other son, the eight year old Tsarevich Dmitriy Ivanovich, dies under mysterious circumstances in Uglich. An investigation, ordered by Godunov and carried out by Prince Vasiliy Shuysky, determines that the Tsarevich, while playing with a knife, suffered an epileptic seizure, fell, and died from a self inflicted wound to the throat. Dmitriy's mother, Maria Nagaya, banished with him to Uglich by Godunov, claims he was assassinated. Rumors linking Boris to the death are circulated by his enemies. 1598 – Tsar Fyodor I dies. He is the last of the Ryurik Dynasty, who have ruled Russia for seven centuries. Patriarch Job of Moscow nominates Boris to succeed as Tsar, despite the rumors that Boris ordered the murder of Dmitriy. Boris agrees to accept the throne only if elected by the Zemsky Sobor. This the assembly does unanimously, and Boris is crowned the same year. 1601 – The Russian famine of 1601–1603 undermines Boris Godunov's popularity and the stability of his administration. 1604 – A pretender to the throne appears in Poland, claiming to be Tsarevich Dmitriy, but believed to be in reality one Grigoriy Otrepyev. He gains the support of the Szlachta, magnates, and, upon conversion to Roman Catholicism, the Apostolic Nuncio Claudio Rangoni. Obtaining a force of soldiers, he marches on Moscow. The False Dmitriy's retinue includes the Jesuits Lawicki and Czernikowski, and the monks Varlaam and Misail of the Chudov Monastery. Crossing into Russia, Dmitriy's invasion force is joined by disaffected Cossacks. However, after a few victories, the campaign falters. Polish mercenaries mutiny and desert. 1605 – Boris dies of unknown causes. He is succeeded by his son, Fyodor II. The death of Boris gives new life to the campaign of the False Dmitriy. Boyars who have gone over to the Pretender murder Fyodor II and his mother. The False Dmitriy enters Moscow and is soon crowned. Prince Shuysky begins plotting against him. 1606 – The Russian boyars oppose Dmitriy's Polish and Catholic alliances. He is murdered shortly after wedding Marina Mniszech, and is succeeded by Vasiliy Shuysky, now Vasiliy IV. 1610 – Battle of Klushino and Polish seizure and occupation of Moscow. Vasiliy IV is deposed, and dies two years later in a Polish prison. Another pretender claiming to be Dmitriy Ivanovich, False Dmitriy II, is murdered. 1611 – Yet a third pretender, False Dmitriy III, appears. He is captured and executed in 1612. 1613 – The Time of Troubles comes to a close with the accession of Mikhail Romanov, son of Fyodor Romanov, who had been persecuted under Boris Godunov's reign. Note: The culpability of Boris in the matter of Dmitriy's death can neither be proved nor disproved. Karamzin accepted his responsibility as fact, and Pushkin and Mussorgsky after him assumed his guilt to be true, at least for the purpose of creating a tragedy in the mold of Shakespeare. Modern historians, however, tend to acquit Boris.
Критический прием
В русской опере начала 1870-х годов доминировали произведения западноевропейской музыки, преимущественно итальянской. Отечественное творчество воспринималось со скептицизмом и порой с враждебностью. Драматург Тихонов писал в 1898 году: "В те дни шли великолепные постановки русских опер, но посещаемость была в целом невелика. Посещать русскую оперу не считалось модным. На премьере "Псковской девы" [в 1873 году] наблюдалось значительное недовольство. Против "музыки будущего", то есть творчества "Могучей кучки", велась активная кампания". Мусоргский, как самый смелый и новаторский член "Могучей кучки", часто становился объектом критики со стороны консервативных рецензентов и соперничающих композиторов, и его музыкальный язык нередко высмеивался за кажущуюся неуклюжесть и грубость. После премьеры "Бориса Годунова" влиятельный критик Герман Ларош отметил: "Общая декоративность и грубость стиля г-на Мусоргского, его увлечение медными и ударными инструментами можно рассматривать как заимствование у Серова. Однако даже в самых грубых работах Серова не достигалось той наивной грубости, которую мы наблюдаем у его последователя". Отзывы о премьере "Бориса Годунова" были в основном негативными. Не в силах обойти молчанием "отступления Мусоргского от общепринятой музыкальной грамматики того времени", критики не смогли разглядеть в "Борисе Годунове" гигантский шаг вперед в музыкальном и драматическом выражении. Куй предал Мусоргского в печально известной едкой рецензии на премьеру: "Г-н Мусоргский наделен великим и оригинальным талантом, но "Борис" – незрелое произведение, великолепное в отдельных эпизодах, слабое в целом. Его главные недостатки – разобщенные речитативы и хаотичность музыкальных идей. Эти недостатки не связаны с недостатком творческих сил. Проблема в его незрелости, неспособности к строгой самокритике, самодовольстве и поспешности в композиции". Хотя он находил много достойного, особенно сцену в трактире и песню попугая, он упрекал композитора в плохо продуманном либретто, отмечая отсутствие цельности между сценами. Он утверждал, что Мусоргский настолько слабо владел искусством инструментальной музыки, что отказался от написания прелюдии и "заимствовал дешевый прием характеристики лейтмотивами у Вагнера". Другие композиторы были еще более строги. Пётр Чайковский писал в письме к брату Модесту: "Я тщательно изучил "Бориса Годунова" и "Демона". Мусоргскую музыку я отправляю к черту; это самая вульгарная и отвратительная пародия на музыку". Из критиков, оценивших новую оперу, лишь 19-летний Владимир Баскин встал на защиту композиторского мастерства Мусоргского. Писавший под псевдонимом "Foma Pizzicato", Баскин утверждал: "Драматизм в вокальной музыке не мог зайти дальше. Мусоргский доказал, что он – философ-музыкант, способный с редкой правдивостью выражать разум и душу своих персонажей. Он также обладает глубоким пониманием музыкальных возможностей. Он – мастер оркестровки; его разработка плавная, вокальные и хоровые партии написаны великолепно". Хотя "Борис Годунов" обычно хвалят за оригинальность, драматические хоры, ярко очерченные характеры и мощное психологическое изображение царя Бориса, он подвергся чрезмерной критике за технические недостатки: слабую или ошибочную гармонию, партитуру и оркестровку. Николай Римский-Корсаков говорил: "Я и обожаю, и ненавижу "Бориса Годунова". Я обожаю его за оригинальность, силу, смелость, самобытность и красоту; я ненавижу его за отсутствие полировки, грубость гармоний и, в некоторых местах, за откровенную неуклюжесть музыки". Убеждение в том, что "Борис" нуждается в исправлении из-за недостатка техники Мусоргского, побудило Римского-Корсакова пересмотреть его после смерти композитора. Его редакция вытеснила Ревизионную версию композитора 1872 года в России и способствовала распространению произведения за рубежом, оставаясь предпочтительной редакцией на протяжении примерно 75 лет. Однако в последнее время возросшее признание суровой индивидуальности стиля Мусоргского привело к увеличению числа исполнений и записей его оригинальных версий. Музыковед Джеральд Абрахам писал: "В перспективе ста лет мы видим, что партитура Мусоргского на самом деле не нуждалась в "исправлениях" и переоркестровке, что нетронутый "Борис" лучше, чем пересмотренный".
"In those days, splendid performances of Russian operas were given, but the attendance was generally poor. to attend the Russian opera was not fashionable. At the first performance of The Maid of Pskov [in 1873] there was a good deal of protest. An energetic campaign was being waged against the 'music of the future'–that is, that of the 'mighty handful'." As the most daring and innovative member of the Mighty Handful, Mussorgsky frequently became the target of conservative critics and rival composers, and was often derided for his supposedly clumsy and crude musical idiom. After the premiere of Boris Godunov, influential critic Herman Laroche wrote:
"The general decorativeness and crudity of Mr. Mussorgsky's style, his passion for the brass and percussion instruments, may be considered to have been borrowed from Serov. But never did the crudest works of the model reach the naive coarseness we note in his imitator." Reviews of the premiere performance of Boris Godunov were for the most part hostile. Unable to overlook Mussorgsky's "trespasses against the conventional musical grammar of the time", they failed to recognize the giant step forward in musical and dramatic expression that Boris Godunov represented. Cui betrayed Mussorgsky in a notoriously scathing review of the premiere performance:
"Mr. Mussorgsky is endowed with great and original talent, but Boris is an immature work, superb in parts, feeble in others. Its main defects are in the disjointed recitatives and the disarray of the musical ideas These defects are not due to a lack of creative power The real trouble is his immaturity, his incapacity for severe self criticism, his self satisfaction, and his hasty methods of composition "
Although he found much to admire, particularly the Inn Scene and the Song of the Parrot, he reproved the composer for a poorly constructed libretto, finding the opera to exhibit a lack of cohesion between scenes. He claimed that Mussorgsky was so deficient in the ability to write instrumental music that he dispensed with composing a prelude, and that he had "borrowed the cheap method of characterization by leitmotives from Wagner." Other composers were even more censorious. Pyotr Tchaikovsky wrote in a letter to his brother Modest:
"I have studied Boris Godunov and The Demon thoroughly. Mussorgsky's music I send to the devil; it is the most vulgar and vile parody on music "
Of the critics who evaluated the new opera, only the 19 year old critic Vladimir Baskin defended Mussorgsky's skill as a composer. Writing under the pen name "Foma Pizzicato", Baskin wrote,
"Dramatization in vocal music could go no farther. Mussorgsky has proved himself to be a philosopher musician, capable of expressing with rare truth the mind and soul of his characters. He also has a thorough understanding of musical resources. He is a master of the orchestra; his working out is fluent, his vocal and chorus parts are beautifully written." Although Boris Godunov is usually praised for its originality, dramatic choruses, sharply delineated characters, and for the powerful psychological portrayal of Tsar Boris, it has received an inordinate amount of criticism for technical shortcomings: weak or faulty harmony, part writing, and orchestration. Nikolay Rimsky Korsakov said:
"I both adore and abhor Boris Godunov. I adore it for its originality, power, boldness, distinctiveness, and beauty; I abhor it for its lack of polish, the roughness of its harmonies, and, in some places, the sheer awkwardness of the music." The perception that Boris needed correction due to Mussorgsky's poverty of technique prompted Rimsky Korsakov to revise it after his death. His edition supplanted the composer's Revised Version of 1872 in Russia, and launched the work abroad, remaining the preferred edition for some 75 years
Recently, however, a new appreciation for the rugged individuality of Mussorgsky's style has resulted in increasing performances and recording of his original versions. Musicologist Gerald Abraham wrote:
" in the perspective of a hundred years we can see that Musorgsky's score did not really need 'correction' and reorchestration, that in fact the untouched Boris is finer than the revised Boris."
Практика исполнения
При постановке или записи «Бориса Годунова» часто происходит смешение версий 1869 и 1872 годов. Обычно это подразумевает выбор версии 1872 года с добавлением Сцены у Святых Врат из версии 1869 года. Эта практика популярна, поскольку позволяет сохранить максимальный объем музыки, предоставляет главному герою еще одну возможность появиться на сцене, и потому что в Сцене у Святых Врат Борис сталкивается с Юродивым, воплощением его совести. Однако, поскольку композитор перенес эпизод с Юродивым и нищими из Сцены у Святых Врат в Кромскую сцену при пересмотре оперы, восстановление Сцены у Святых Врат в ее первоначальном месте создает проблему дублирования эпизодов, которую можно частично решить посредством сокращений. Большинство постановок, придерживающихся этой практики, сокращают сцену ограбления Юродивого в Кромской сцене, но сохраняют его плач, завершающий каждую сцену. Версия Римского-Корсакова часто дополняется реоркестровкой Ипполитова-Иванова Сцены у Святых Врат (заказанной Большим театром в 1925 году, написанной в 1926 году и впервые исполненной в 1927 году). Дирижеры могут решить восстановить сокращения, которые сам композитор внес при создании версии 1872 года [см. раздел «Версии» в данной статье для получения более подробной информации]. Запись 1997 года, сделанная в Мариинском театре под руководством Валерия Гергиева, является первой и единственной, представляющей Оригинальную версию 1869 года рядом с Пересмотренной версией 1872 года и, по-видимому, стремится установить новый стандарт музыкальной аутентичности. Однако, несмотря на свои достоинства, постановка не смогла тщательно разграничить две версии, допустив элементы версии 1872 года в запись 1869 года и не соблюдая сокращения, сделанные композитором в версии 1872 года. Критики утверждают, что восстановление Сцены у Святых Врат и всех сокращений, которые Мусоргский сделал при пересмотре оперы – то есть создание «перенасыщенной» версии – может иметь негативные последствия, разрушая симметричную структуру сцен Пересмотренной версии.
Николай Римский-Корсаков (1896)
После смерти Мусоргского в 1881 году его друг Николай Римский-Корсаков взялся за упорядочение его партитур, завершив и отредактировав «Хованщину» для публикации (1883), реконструировав «Ночь на Лысой горе» (1886) и «исправив» некоторые песни. Затем он обратился к «Борису Годунову». «Хотя я знаю, что буду проклят за это, я пересмотрю «Бориса». В его гармониях и порой в мелодиях – бесчисленное множество нелепостей». – Николай Римский-Корсаков, 15 апреля 1893 года.
Он начал эксперименты с «Полонеза», временно инструментовав его для оркестра, сопоставимого с вагнеровским, в 1889 году. В 1892 году он переработал сцену коронации и, опираясь на вокальную партитуру 1874 года, завершил остальную часть оперы, хотя и со значительными сокращениями, к 1896 году.
Дмитрий Шостакович (1940)
Дмитрий Шостакович работал над оперой «Борис Годунов» в 1939–1940 годах по заказу Большого театра для новой постановки. Павел Ламм опубликовал сборник версий 1869 и 1872 годов, что вызвало живой интерес к произведению. Однако это не развеяло сомнений в возможности исполнения оркестровки Мусоргского. Вторжение нацистской Германии в Россию помешало осуществлению этой постановки, и премьера версии Шостаковича состоялась лишь в 1959 году. Шостаковичу казалось, что Мусоргский преуспел в использовании сольных инструментальных тембров в мягких эпизодах, но испытывал трудности с мощными моментами для всего оркестра. Шостакович объяснял:
«У Мусоргского есть великолепно оркестрованные моменты, но я не вижу греха в своей работе. Я не трогал удачные места, но неудачных много, потому что ему не хватало мастерства, которое приходит только с годами упорного труда, и никак иначе».
Шостакович в основном ограничился переоркестровкой оперы, проявляя больше уважения к уникальному мелодическому и гармоническому стилю композитора. Однако он значительно расширил роль деревянных духовых и особенно медных инструментов в партитуре, что являлось существенным отходом от практики Мусоргского, который проявлял большую сдержанность в инструментовке, предпочитая использовать индивидуальные качества инструментов для конкретных целей. Шостакович также стремился к большему симфоническому развитию, желая, чтобы оркестр не просто аккомпанировал певцам. «Я работал так: ставил перед собой фортепианную партитуру Мусоргского, а рядом – две оркестровые партитуры: Мусоргского и Римского-Корсакова. Я почти не смотрел на оркестровые партитуры и редко обращался к фортепианной. Я оркестровал по памяти, акт за актом. Затем сравнивал свою оркестровку с версиями Мусоргского и Римского-Корсакова. Если видел, что у кого-то получилось лучше, я оставлял этот вариант. Я не собирался изобретать велосипед. Я работал честно и, я бы сказал, с ожесточением».
Шостакович вспоминал, как Александр Глазунов рассказывал ему о том, как Мусоргский сам играл сцены из «Бориса Годунова» на фортепиано. Исполнение Мусоргского, по словам Глазунова, было блестящим и мощным – качества, которые, по мнению Шостаковича, не проявлялись в оркестровке большей части оперы. Шостакович, знавший оперу еще со студенческих лет в Санкт-Петербургской консерватории, полагал, что оркестровые замыслы Мусоргского были верными, но сам Мусоргский просто не мог их реализовать:
«Насколько я понимаю, он представлял себе что-то вроде певческой линии, окружающей вокальные партии, подобно подголоскам, окружающим основную мелодию в русской народной песне. Но Мусоргскому не хватало техники для этого. Какое досадно! Очевидно, у него было чисто оркестровое воображение и чисто оркестровые образы. Музыка стремится к «новым берегам», как говорится, к музыкальной драматургии, динамике, языку, образности. Но его оркестровка возвращает нас к старым берегам».
Одним из таких моментов «старого берега» был большой монастырский колокол в сцене в келье монаха. И Мусоргский, и Римский-Корсаков используют гонг. Шостаковичу это казалось слишком элементарным и упрощенным, чтобы быть драматически эффективным, поскольку этот колокол должен был передавать атмосферу отчуждения монаха. «Когда звонит колокол, – как передавал слова Шостаковича Соломон Волков, – это напоминание о том, что есть силы могущественнее человека, и от суда истории не уйти». Поэтому Шостакович переоркестровал звучание колокола, задействовав одновременно семь инструментов: бас-кларнет, контрафагот, валторны, гонг, арфы, фортепиано и контрабасы (в октаву). Шостаковичу казалось, что эта комбинация инструментов звучит более похоже на настоящий колокол. Шостакович признавал, что оркестровка Римского-Корсакова была более красочной, чем его собственная, и использовала более яркие тембры. Однако он также считал, что Римский-Корсаков слишком сильно дробил мелодические линии и, смешивая мелодию и подголоски, мог исказить изначальный замысел Мусоргского. Шостакович также полагал, что Римский-Корсаков недостаточно гибко использовал оркестр, чтобы следовать за изменениями настроения персонажей, делая оркестр более спокойным и уравновешенным.
Игорь Букетов (1997)
Американский дирижер Игорь Букетов создал версию, в которой он убрал большую часть добавлений и переоркестровок Римского-Корсакова и дополнил некоторые другие части оригинальной оркестровки Мусоргского. Эта версия впервые прозвучала в 1997 году в Метрополитен-опере, Нью-Йорк, под управлением Валерия Гергиева.