In this article we will look at the most famous.the work of M. P. Mussorgsky - “Boris Godunov”. Summary of the opera will be painted with great care. This piece is software for the composer.
Little about opera
The work "Boris Godunov" (summarythe opera is presented below) was created in 1869, and the first production took place only in 1874. The work was based on the historical events of 1598-1605, which occurred during the reign of Boris Godunov and the appearance of False Dmitry in Moscow.
However, immediately after the completion of the opera refused to deliver. Two more editions and the support of influential friends were needed for the work to be embodied on the stage of the Mariinsky Theater.
The libretto of the opera “Boris Godunov” was based on the work of A. S. Pushkin of the same name and materials taken from “The History of the Russian State”, written by N. M. Karamzin.
Actors of the opera “Boris Godunov”
The summary of the opera is best to start by listing the main characters:
- Boris Godunov.
- His son Fedor.
- His daughter Xenia.
- Nurse (nurse) Xenia.
- Prince Shuisky, Vasily Ivanovich.
- Thing diak Andrey Schelkanov.
- Hermit and chronicler Pimen.
- An impostor bearing the name of Gregory.
- Daughter of the Sandomierz Governor Marina Mnishek.
- Secret Jesuit Rangoni.
- Tramp Barlaam.
- The tramp Misail.
- The hostess of the tavern.
- Holy fool.
- Pristav Nikitich.
- Boyar Khrushchev.
- Middle Boyar.
- Jesuit Lavitsky.
- Jesuit Chernikovsky.
- Mityuha.
- 1st peasant.
- 2nd peasant.
- 1st woman.
- 2nd woman.
Also involved in the presentation of the boyars and their children, police officers, archers, gentlemen, girls, people of Moscow and Kaliki perehozhya.
The action of the opera takes place in Russia and Poland, lasts from 1598 to 1605.
Prologue. Picture 1
The action of the work “BorisGodunov. The summary of the opera takes the audience to the courtyard of the Novodevichy Convent, which is full of people. A bailiff walks among the crowd and, constantly playing with a baton, asks all those gathered to immediately kneel and begin to pray to Boris Godunov that he agreed to become king. Here goes to the assembled people Shchelkanov and reports that the boyar does not agree, does not want to become the Russian tsar.
Heard singing Kalik perekhozhih."God's people", leaning on the backs of their guides, approach the walls of the monastery. They distribute amiches to the counter and ask to pray that Boris will be elected to reign, only this will save Russia.
Picture 2
Now a summary of the opera “Boris Godunov”takes us to a magnificent coronation. The action takes place on the square of the Moscow Kremlin. The bells are ringing, the boyars solemnly march under the arches of the Assumption Cathedral. Prince Shuisky stands on the porch and loudly says the solemn "Long live Tsar Boris Fedotovich!". All those gathered praise the new king.
On the porch goes Boris Godunov. He is tormented by doubts and gloomy forebodings. Not for nothing, he did not want to get married to the kingdom. However, the king orders to convene the Moscow people at a banquet.
Act One. Picture 1
The summary of the opera “BorisGodunov ”already at night. Before the viewer appears Miracles Monastery. In one of his cells a chronicle is written by Pimen, an old man who has seen a lot in his lifetime. Immediately, in the corner, Grigory, a young monk, sheltered and slept soundly. From afar comes prayer singing.
Suddenly, Gregory abruptly wakes up.The young man sees that Pimen is awake and decides to open to him what he saw a dream, which greatly alarmed the monk. And at the same time asks the elder and interpret what he saw. Gregory retells a dream.
Monk's dreams make Pimen rememberthe past, about those kings who changed their porphyry and the royal staff to "the monks' humble hood." With great curiosity, Gregory listens to the stories of the old man about the death of the little Tsarevich Dmitry. Pimen also notes that the young man and the deceased prince is the same age. Suddenly a cunning plan comes to Gregory's mind.
Picture 2
Largely thanks to this opera, Modest Mussorgsky became famous. "Boris Godunov", one might say, became the crown of his creations. But back to the product itself.
Lithuanian border, a tavern by the road.Misail and Barlaam, fugitive monks, enter the room. Gregory turns with them. The good-natured mistress begins to treat all those who have entered. Vagrants are excited, they sing songs and drink wine. However, Gregory does not share their happiness. The young man was absorbed in thoughts of a conceived plan - to impersonate the dead Dmitry. That is why the former monk is in a hurry to Lithuania. He is not quite sure of the road, and starts asking the hostess about her. A kind woman talks about the outposts, which are placed on all roads - they are looking for someone. However, this is not a hindrance, as there are other roads that bypass the barriers.
Неожиданно слышится стук в дверь корчмы, а затем bailiffs enter. They are closely watching former monks who feast. Apparently, finding them suspicious, the ministers of power approach them and begin questioning. Then they show the royal decree, where it is said that it was ordered to catch a cherk Grigory Otrepyev, who fled from the Chudov monastery.
The attention of bailiffs attracts a young man sitting separately from others. But before they manage to approach him, Gregory jumps out through the window onto the street. All those present rush to catch him.
Second act
What makes the piece even more interesting is thatbased on real events opera "Boris Godunov". The summary of the opera depicts the richly decorated royal palace in the Moscow Kremlin. Here princess Xenia cries, standing at the portrait of the recently deceased groom. Not far from it is located Prince Fyodor, who reads the book of the “big drawing”. Mother Xenia busy handicraft. Those present are trying to cheer the princess. Therefore, the mother begins to sing merry fables, the prince joins her, fooling around.
Suddenly, Boris enters.He walks over to his daughter and starts to calm her down affectionately. Then he turns to Fyodor, asks about his academic achievements and praises his work. However, these conversations can not distract the king from the terrible thoughts that torment him. For the sixth year, he has been sitting on the throne, but there is no happiness for him or for Russia. The country groans from hunger.
Boris believes that the famine in the country and the death of the groom Xenia are revenge for the terrible, atrocious act committed by him - the killing of Tsarevich Dmitry.
Появляется боярин Ближний.He bows to Boris and reports that he is waiting for a conversation with the ruler, Prince Vasily Shuisky. Godunov orders to let in him Shuisky. The prince tells that an impostor appeared in Lithuania who imagines himself to be Tsarevich Dmitry.
The king demands that Shuisky tell all that heknows about the death of the baby. The prince tells about the accomplished crime in all details, trying not to miss the details. Boris, already tortured by his conscience, does not maintain this. The king falls heavily into his chair. In the shadows, incessantly wavering, he sees the ghost of the murdered Dmitry.
The third action. Picture 1
Practically did not depart from the Pushkin plot in his work Mussorgsky. The opera “Boris Godunov” (a brief summary confirms this) clearly follows the plot outlined by the poet.
Sandomierz Castle, room of Marina Mnishek.Panna is surrounded by girls who tirelessly praise her beauty. However, Marina is bored, she was tired of flattering speeches. She has another dream - with the help of the marriage to the impostor Dmitriya to be on the Moscow throne.
Rangoni appears at the door of her room.This man, under the guise of power, which gave his church, asks Marina to fall in love with an impostor, and then convince him to fight for the right to be on the Russian throne.
Picture 2
Mussorgsky's opera “Boris” depicts PolandGodunov ”(Boris Godunov). Moonlit Night, the Pretender is standing by the fountain in the garden and attached to the voluptuous dreams of Marina. At this moment, Rangoni approaches him. The Jesuit begins to talk about the incredible beauty of Mary and gradually lures the declaration of love for the panna from the Pretender. A crowd of merry and noisy guests are walking nearby, who have already begun to celebrate the victory of Polish troops over the forces of Tsar Boris.
The impostor hides from them behind the trees.Soon the whole company returns back to the castle, and Marina returns back to the garden alone. There is a duet in which young people confess their love and make ambitious plans for the future.
The fourth act. Picture 1
Now Mussorgsky is returning viewers to Moscow.The opera “Boris Godunov” is rich in scenes where one of the main characters is the Russian people. So, the Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed is depicted, on the square of which Moscow people gathered. They discuss rumors and news about the approaching army of False Dmitry and news of the anathema imposed on Grishka Otrepyev.
Suddenly, the holy fool appears in the vein, hisbarefoot boys chase. They tease the holy fool and quickly bring them to tears. The ends of the mass. The royal procession begins from the cathedral, the boyars accompanying it are distributed to the assembled alms. Then Tsar Boris appears, followed by Prince Shuisky and the rest.
The people kneel and askpriests king of bread. He immediately turns to Boris and the holy fool, complaining about the boys, and asks the king to slaughter them, just as he had slaughtered little Dmitry. People are parted in horror. The guards rush to the holy fool, but Boris stops them and leaves, asking the blessed to pray for his sinful soul. However, the verdict to the tsar is heard from their lips as a holy fool: the Mother of God does not command the prayer "for tsar-Herod."
Picture 2
The action takes place in the Faceted Chamber.(The Moscow Kremlin). An extraordinary meeting of the boyar duma takes place. Shuisky enters the chambers and reports that he had just by chance seen the king calling out to the deceased Dmitry and driving away the ghost of the murdered baby, whispering “too, child”. Repeating the same words (“fool, child”), Boris Godunov appears at the meeting.
Gradually, the king wakes up and sits down. Shuisky turns to him and asks to hear a certain old man who wants to tell a great secret. Boris gives his consent.
Входит Пимен.The old man begins his story, full of allusions to the insidious and dishonest murder of Dmitry. The king falls into the excitement of these words and falls, exhausted, into the hands of the boyars. Boris feels that his death is near, he asks to be immediately sent for Fyodor. Since he wants to bless his son and transfer the right to reign. Funeral chime is heard. Godunov dies.
Scene 3
The path through the forest near the village of Kromy,located almost on the Lithuanian border. On the way there is a crowd of vagrants who lead the boyar Khrushchev. The prisoner is threatened and cursed against Boris Godunov. In this crowd, and a holy fool, again surrounded by ragged boys. And Varlaam with Mishail, telling about reprisals and executions in Russia, the more they inflame the people. Former monks urge those gathered to defend the legitimate heir to the throne, Dmitry. The people support them and wish death to Boris.
Появляется Самозванец верхом на коне, а за ним - army. He declares himself Russian Tsarevich Dmitry Ivanovich and invites everyone with him to Moscow. The participants glorify the Pretender and follow him.
On the road, only the holy fool remains. He sings a sorrowful song in which he predicts bitter tears and a dark impenetrable misfortune.
So ends the opera "Boris Godunov". Summary for children may not include all scenes. It is advisable to exclude those that describe the terrible details of the death of Dmitry.
