Vladimir Jurowski conducts Rachmaninov’s dark setting of Alexander Pushkin’s ‘little tragedy’ with an outstanding performance from Sergei Leiferkus in the role written for the great Russian bass Fyodor Chaliapin.
Rachmaninov’s dramatically brooding score – beautifully recorded in an atmospheric surround sound – portrays the miser consumed by the power of his glinting gold, as it pushes him to his ultimate collapse.

‘…an inspired piece of programming...Sergei Leiferkus was utterly compelling in the title role...he delivered an appropriately mean performance’ -- Opera

‘…the magnificent Sergei Leiferkus…takes this rather thrilling symphonic fantasy into the realms of true opera.’ --The Independent Review