“Godunov is Putin”, Olivier Py stages Mussorgsky’s opera in resonance with current events at the Capitole de Toulouse

The opera immerses spectators in the dark hours of Russia, yesterday and today. It is performed at the Capitole de Toulouse from November 24 to December 3, 2023.

The Théâtre du Capitole de Toulouse presents until December 3, 2023 one of the masterpieces of Russian lyric art, Boris Godunov. At the helm of this monument by Modeste Moussorgsky (1839-1881), director Olivier Py (director of the Châtelet theater in Paris) immerses us in the tormented times of the Russian empire and its relationship to power.

Criticism of Russian power

On the main stage of the Capitol, black is essential. From the first notes, the scene is set. Soldiers threaten the people. The Z symbol of the Russian army is displayed in the opening scene. The opera Boris Godunov talks about Russia, dictatorship and the violence of power. “It has a deafening echo of what is happening in Russia today, because the work mainly talks about political violence throughout Russian history. It is an incredible analysis of the way in which this great people “has never been capable of creating a democracy”, assures the director.

In his production, Olivier Py left nothing to chance. The sets, the costumes and the singers’ interpretation highlight the baroque and grandiose dimension of Mussorgsky’s work. “Olivier Py built his show on a beautiful scenography which respects the dramaturgy, the tension of the characters, all the issues of this sick political story”, reports Bruno Vincent, singer in the choirs.

Deeply attached to Russian culture, Olivier Py does not hesitate to criticize the various tyrannical powers in place throughout the ages, including that of contemporary Russia.

Today we really have the impression that Boris Godunov is Vladimir Putin and vice versa.

Olivier Py

Director

A revolutionary work for the time

Freely adapted from the eponymous historical tragedy by Alexander Pushkin and History of the Russian State by Nikolai Karamzin, the plot of Boris Godunov is inspired by a true historical fact: the controversial access to the throne of Tsar Godunov at the end of the 16th century. Olivier Py chose to stage Mussorgsky’s original version written in 1869. A play in seven scenes which has been revised many times and even banned under Stalin’s reign. “It is a revolutionary opera that was not understood by the people of the time. This musical drama precisely shows the relationship between the tsar and the people,” explains Mikhail Timoshenko, bass-baritone performer Andrei Chtchelkalov.

The history of the opera: Boris Godunov becomes tsar after having Dimitri, the legitimate heir of Ivan the Terrible, assassinated. Although he governs humanely, the country sinks into chaos and poverty. A young wandering monk, Gregori, pretends to be Dimitri and succeeds in marrying Marina, a noble woman from Poland who disguises her desire for power as passionate love. After convincing the King of Poland of his legitimacy, the false Dimitri convinces the Poles to invade Russia. Boris, consumed by guilt and remorse and haunted by hallucinations, sinks into madness and dies begging for divine grace.

Created at the Capitole de Toulouse for five performances, “Boris Godounov”, directed by Olivier Py and orchestrated by musical director Andris Poga, is performed until December 3, 2023.