"BORIS GODOUNOV"
Sir-M. T. Dixon claims that the Rimsky-Korsakov version of Boris Godounov is now universally accepted. This is scarcely true. Admittedly, it is much more frequently performed than Moussorgsky’s original, but each score exhibits different qualities and each has its admirers. Rimsky-Korsakov’s conception is exotic and richly orchestrated; Moussorgsky’s much more stark and grim. But this discussion has as yet only scraped the surface of the complications that Boris involves. Moussorgsky in reality left two versions of the work, and Rimsky-Korsakov made two arrangements. Producers are free to choose scenes from any of these versions, and both selection and order of scenes constantly vary. The production mentioned by Mr. Dixon (almost certainly Sadler’s Wells, 1935), was Moussorgsky’s first version. This, in largely the same form, was also produced at the Metropolitan, New York, early last year. Moussorgsky’s second version was produced at Covent Garden in 1948, although last year the Rimsky-Korsakov score (his
second, with some changes) was reverted to. Both Moussorgsky versions have therefore been produced within recent years. For further information, I would refer anyone interestéd to the following numbers of the Efglish magazine Opera:February, 1953, p. 117; March, 1953, p. 184; July, 1953, p. 420. I believe that the Covent Garden Opera Book of Boris also discusses fully the various versions of the work.
JEREMY
COMMONS
‘Auckland.)
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19540702.2.12.3
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 31, Issue 780, 2 July 1954, Page 5
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221"BORIS GODOUNOV" New Zealand Listener, Volume 31, Issue 780, 2 July 1954, Page 5
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