Search - Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchistiakov, Bolshoi Theatre Or :: Kastchey the Immortal

MOSCOW BEATS LENINGRAD

moskvich | Moscow | 02/13/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Five years ago we had no recording of Kaschey. Now we have two. This one, cunducted by Chistiakov is far better then the heavy and "Wagnerian" version led by Valeriy Gergiyev. The opera features only five soloists - a tenor, a soprano, a mezzo, a bariton and a bass. Alexandr Arkhipov is a master of character roles. He worked in the Bolshoi since the sixties and he possibly holds the record of appearances on the Bolshoi stage. His Kaschey is a mixture of Bomeliy (Tsar's bride) and the Scribe (Khovanschina). Irina Jurina has a light "Micaelaish" voice. Vladislav Verestinikov make a positive contribution as Ivan, and Nina Terentyeva - a major singer in the Met and La Scala sings a magnificent Kascheyevna's song. Finaly, bass Vladimir Matorin (a leadind Bolshoi star today) is a big and powerfull storm-knight.The opera itself holds an importaint posission in the list of Rimskiy's works. In it he proved his simpathy towards the socialist regime. The whole opera seems to tell "tsarist dicatorship shall fall! The people will rule!" That patriotic immage is one of the reasons why the tsarist critics gladly attaced Rimskiy.The opera has three acts, all connected by interludes. The Bolshoi orchestra is responding well to the light conducting of Chistiakov."