Boris from ROH

[Giacomo]

They do provide this for Boris:
Acclaimed director Richard Jones (Il trittico for The Royal Opera; La fanciulla del West for ENO) directs a new production, where Boris’s deeply felt guilt and horror at the human sacrifices he has made in his ascent to power is emphasized through the realistic depiction of the murder of the young Crown Prince.

It offers "realistic depiction of the murder" but doesn't say anything about the setting and production style without looking up the references and assuming it will be the same, although I don't recall Il trittico being so bad, only saw it on the TV though. It does say "new production" which sadly I now take as code for don't go.

New production and gore is all we are told. Just a little more information please ROH, then it's my choice.

[Giacomo]

The Mariinsky production looks a better bet, with a Russophone cast and a genuine bass in the title role. This production is of the 1872 edition and is timed at over 4 hrs, confirming that the ROH version is 1869.

Chips placed but I was really only saying it is clearer what is being offered by the Mariinsky all whilst using many less words.

I should have added after checking my CDs, Gergiev's 1997 v1872 is 3:05, Karajan 1970: 3:30, Abbado 1993: 3:20.

Not sure why the ROH is performing it without an interval, though.

So people can't leave at the interval.

[Prommer]

I like Richard Jones' productions though some things do recur 'o'ermuch', eg the wallpaper.

JohnTom is way past singing Boris, sadly... so a turn as Varlaam seems right.

This is a great piece: anyone hear Reggie Goodall conducting it with Boris Christoff a year or two back?

[David-G]

I have seen Boris Christoff as Boris, but conducted by Ahronovitch, not Reggie.

[Prommer]

https://www.pristineclassical.com/paco123.html

Wonderful. Not the original version by any means...