Notes and Editorial Reviews
While Russian opera is often noted for its strong foreign influences, this five CD set of Russian operatic works delves into the nationalistic and historically grounded elements of the tradition that make it uniquely Russian. Featuring many composers whose names are synonymous with Russian opera, including Glinka, Borodin, Mussorgsky, Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich, and Prokofiev, this collection showcases the breadth and variety of Russian opera at its best.
This compilation features recordings by both Russian and non-Russian vocalists, from the sonorously dark and instantly memorable bass voices of Russians Feodor Chaliapin and Boris Christoff, to the bright and sprightly sopranos of American Teresa Stich-Randall and Slovak
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Lucia Popp.
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Works on This Recording
1.
Russlan and Ludmilla: The happy day is gone "Farlaf's Rondo" by Mikhail Glinka
Performer:
Feodor Chaliapin (Bass)
Conductor:
Max Steimann
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1837-1842; Russia
2.
Russlan and Ludmilla: O my Ratmir! "Gorislava's Romance and Cavatina" by Mikhail Glinka
Performer:
Marianne Tcherkasskaya (Soprano)
Conductor:
Igor Markevitch
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Lamoureux Concerts Association Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1837-1842; Russia
3.
A Life for the Tsar: They sense the truth "Susanin's Aria" by Mikhail Glinka
Performer:
Boris Christoff (Bass)
Conductor:
Igor Markevitch
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Lamoureux Concerts Association Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1834-1836; Russia
4.
A Life for the Tsar: My poor horse fell in the field "Vanya's Aria" by Mikhail Glinka
Performer:
Mela Bougarinovitch (Mezzo Soprano)
Conductor:
Igor Markevitch
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Lamoureux Concerts Association Orchestra,
Belgrade Opera Chorus
Period: Romantic
Written: 1834-1836; Russia
5.
A Life for the Tsar: I gaze toward the field, the open field "Antonida's Cavatina & Rondo" by Mikhail Glinka
Performer:
Mela Bougarinovitch (Mezzo Soprano)
Conductor:
Igor Markevitch
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Lamoureux Concerts Association Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: Russia
6.
A Life for the Tsar: Brothers! In the darkness by Mikhail Glinka
Performer:
Nicolai Gedda (Tenor)
Conductor:
Igor Markevitch
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Lamoureux Concerts Association Orchestra
7.
A Life for the Tsar: Brothers! In the darkness by Mikhail Glinka
Performer:
Nicolai Gedda (Tenor)
Conductor:
Igor Markevitch
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Lamoureux Concerts Association Orchestra,
Belgrade Opera Chorus
8.
A Life for the Tsar: Not so long ago, at home by Mikhail Glinka
Performer:
Boris Christoff (Bass)
Conductor:
Igor Markevitch
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Lamoureux Concerts Association Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1834-1836 ; Russia
9.
A Life for the Tsar: Death of Susanin by Mikhail Glinka
Performer:
Boris Christoff (Bass)
Conductor:
Igor Markevitch
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Lamoureux Concerts Association Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1834-1836 ; Russia
10.
Rusalka: Ah, you young girls "Miller's Aria" by Alexander Dargomizhsky
Performer:
Feodor Chaliapin (Bass)
Conductor:
Georgi Pozemkovsky
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1848-1855; Russia
11.
Rusalka: Mad Scene and Death of Miller by Alexander Dargomizhsky
Performer:
Feodor Chaliapin (Bass)
Conductor:
Georgi Pozemkovsky
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1848-1855; Russia
12.
Prince Igor: No sleep, no rest "Igor's Aria" by Alexander Borodin
Performer:
Constantin Chekerliski (Baritone)
Conductor:
Jerzy Semkow
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Sofia National Opera Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1869-1887; Russia
13.
Prince Igor: I hate a dreary life "Galitsky's Aria" by Alexander Borodin
Performer:
Boris Christoff (Bass)
Conductor:
Issay Dobrowen
Period: Romantic
Written: 1869-1887; Russia
14.
Prince Igor: How goes it, Prince? "Konchak's Aria" by Alexander Borodin
Performer:
Boris Christoff (Bass)
Conductor:
Jerzy Semkow
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Sofia National Opera Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1869-1887; Russia
15.
Prince Igor: Daylight is fading "Vladimir's Aria" by Alexander Borodin
Performer:
Todor Todorov (Tenor)
Conductor:
Jerzy Semkow
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Sofia National Opera Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1869-1887; Russia
16.
Prince Igor: Ah, bitterly I weep "Yaroslavna's Lament" by Alexander Borodin
Performer:
Julia Wiener (Soprano)
Conductor:
Jerzy Semkow
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Sofia National Opera Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1869-1887; Russia
17.
Sorochintsy fair: My heart, why weepest thou? by Modest Mussorgsky
Performer:
Nicolai Gedda (Tenor)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1874-1880; Russia
18.
Songs and dances of death: no 4, The field-marshal by Modest Mussorgsky
Performer:
Galina Vishnevskaya (Soprano)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1877; Russia
19.
Khovanshchina: Dosifey's aria by Modest Mussorgsky
Performer:
Boris Christoff (Bass)
Conductor:
Issay Dobrowen
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1872-1880; Russia
20.
Boris Godunov: Ugh, it's oppressive "Clock Scene" by Modest Mussorgsky
Performer:
Feodor Chaliapin (Bass)
Conductor:
Max Steiner
Period: Romantic
Written: 1868-1873; Russia
21.
Boris Godunov: Prologue - Long life to our Czar Boris Feodorovich by Modest Mussorgsky
Performer:
Jacques Mars (Bass)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Lamoureux Concerts Association Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1868-1873; Russia
22.
Boris Godunov: Prologue - I am oppressed "Coronation scene" by Modest Mussorgsky
Performer:
Martti Talvela (Bass)
Conductor:
Jerzy Semkow
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Sofia National Opera Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: Russia
23.
Boris Godunov: One day at vespers "Pimen's narrative" by Modest Mussorgsky
Conductor:
Jerzy Semkow
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Sofia National Opera Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1868-1873; Russia
24.
Boris Godunov: In the town of Kazan "Varlaam's Song" by Modest Mussorgsky
Performer:
Aage Haugland (Bass)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Cracow Polish Radio/Tv Chorus
Period: Romantic
Written: 1868-1873; Russia
25.
Boris Godunov: Farewell, my son, I am dying "Death of Boris" by Modest Mussorgsky
Performer:
Boris Christoff (Bass)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Lamoureux Concerts Association Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1868-1873; Russia
26.
Boris Godunov: Ekh, máma mámushka by Modest Mussorgsky
Performer:
Ana Alexieva (Mezzo Soprano),
Mela Bougarinovitch (Mezzo Soprano)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Lamoureux Concerts Association Orchestra
27.
Boris Godunov: I have attained the highest power "Boris' Monologue" by Modest Mussorgsky
Performer:
Martti Talvela (Bass)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Cracow Polish Radio/Tv Chorus
Period: Romantic
Written: 1868-1873; Russia
28.
Snow Maiden, Op. 12: Lehl's song by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Performer:
Galina Vishnevskaya (Soprano)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1880; Russia
29.
Queen of Spades, Op. 68: Midnight is nearing (Lisa's Aria) by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Performer:
Lucia Popp (Soprano)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Munich Radio Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1890; Russia
30.
Eugene Onegin, Op. 24: Tatiana's letter scene by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Performer:
Lucia Popp (Soprano)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Munich Radio Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1877-1878; Russia
31.
Eugene Onegin, Op. 24: Prince Gremin's aria by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Performer:
Jonathan Lemalu (Bass Baritone)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1877-1878; Russia
32.
Eugene Onegin, Op. 24: Lensky's aria by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Performer:
Rolando Villazón (Tenor)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Munich Radio Orchestra
Written: 1879
33.
Sorochintsy fair: Gritzko's aria by Modest Mussorgsky
Performer:
Nicolai Gedda (Tenor)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1874-1880; Russia
34.
Sadko: O you dark forests by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
Performer:
Nicolai Gedda (Tenor)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1894-1896; Russia
35.
Sadko: no 7, Sleep went along the river "Berceuse" by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
Performer:
Galina Vishnevskaya (Soprano)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1894-1896; Russia
36.
Tsar's Bride: Marfa's Scene and Aria by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
Performer:
Galina Vishnevskaya (Soprano)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1898; Russia
37.
Snow Maiden, Op. 12: Tsar Berendey's Cavatina by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Performer:
Dmitri Smirnov (Tenor)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1880; Russia
38.
Legend of the Invisible City of Kitezh and the Maiden Fevroniya: O vain illusion by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
Performer:
Boris Christoff (Bass)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1907; Russia
39.
Aleko: Young Gypsy's Song by Sergei Rachmaninov
Performer:
Nicolai Gedda (Tenor)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1893; Russia
40.
Aleko: The moon is high in the sky "Aleko's Cavatina" by Sergei Rachmaninov
Performer:
Feodor Chaliapin (Bass)
Conductor:
Lawrence Collingwood
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1893; Russia
41.
War and Peace, Op. 91: What right do they have? by Sergei Prokofiev
Performer:
Lucia Popp (Soprano)
Conductor:
Stefan Soltesz
Period: 20th Century
Written: Russia
42.
Ivan the Terrible, Op. 116: Song about the beaver by Sergei Prokofiev
Performer:
Boris Morgunov (Spoken Vocals),
Anatoly Mokrenko (Baritone),
Irina Arkhipova (Mezzo Soprano)
Conductor:
Riccardo Muti
Period: 20th Century
43.
Ivan the Terrible, Op. 116: Feodor Basmanov's Song by Sergei Prokofiev
Performer:
Boris Morgunov (Spoken Vocals),
Anatoly Mokrenko (Baritone),
Irina Arkhipova (Mezzo Soprano)
Conductor:
Riccardo Muti
Period: 20th Century
44.
Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk district, Op. 29: Oh, I don't feel like sleep by Dmitri Shostakovich
Performer:
Galina Vishnevskaya (Soprano)
Conductor:
Mstislav Rostropovich
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
45.
Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk district, Op 29: That's what old age means by Dmitri Shostakovich
Performer:
Dimiter Petkov (Bass)
Conductor:
Mstislav Rostropovich
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Philharmonic Orchestra
46.
Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk district, Op. 29: Once a lady friend of mine by Dmitri Shostakovich
Performer:
Robert Tear (Tenor)
Conductor:
Mstislav Rostropovich
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
47.
Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk district, Op. 29: The police were formed by Dmitri Shostakovich
Performer:
Martyn Hill (Tenor),
Aage Haugland (Bass)
Conductor:
Mstislav Rostropovich
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
48.
Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk district, Op. 29: We trudge along day after day by Dmitri Shostakovich
Performer:
Alexander Malta (Bass)
Conductor:
Mstislav Rostropovich
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
49.
Golden Cockerel: Hymn to the sun by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
Performer:
Antonina Nezhdanova (Soprano)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1906-1907; Russia
50.
Dobrinya Nikitich, Op. 22: The flowers were growing in the fields by Alexander Grechaninov
Performer:
Leonid Sobinov (Tenor)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Orchestra
51.
Iolanta, Op. 69: O God, if I have sinned by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Performer:
Lev Sibiriakov (Bass)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Orchestra
Period: Romantic
52.
Dubrovsky, Op 58: O give me oblivion! by Eduard Nápravník
Performer:
Dmitri Smirnov (Tenor)
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1895; Moravia, Czech Repub
53.
The oprichnik: I swear before God and thee by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Performer:
Nicolai Figner (Tenor)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1870-1872; Russia
54.
Queen of Spades, Op. 68: Midnight is nearing (Lisa's Aria) by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Performer:
Medea Mei-Figner (Soprano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1890; Russia
55.
Maid of Orleans: Adieu, foręts by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Performer:
Vera Petrova-zvanceva (Mezzo Soprano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1878-1879; Russia
56.
Eugene Onegin, Op. 24: Lensky's aria by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Performer:
Leonid Sobinov (Tenor)
Written: 1879
57.
Eugene Onegin, Op. 24: In your house! by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Performer:
Dmitri Smirnov (Tenor)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1877-1878; Russia
58.
Iolanta, Op. 69: Why have I not known this before? by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Performer:
Lydia Jakovlevna Lipkowska (Soprano)
Period: Romantic
59.
Snow Maiden, Op. 12: Prologue by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Performer:
Antonina Nezhdanova (Soprano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1873 ; Russia
60.
Snow Maiden, Op. 12: How painful it feels by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Performer:
Lydia Jakovlevna Lipkowska (Soprano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1880; Russia
61.
Snow Maiden, Op. 12: Tsar Berendey's Cavatina by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Performer:
Leonid Sobinov (Tenor)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1880; Russia
62.
A Prisoner in the Caucasus: The sun was brightly shining by César Cui
Performer:
Ivan Grizounov (Tenor)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1858/1882; Russia
63.
The demon: Accursed world by Anton Rubinstein
Performer:
Joachim Tartakov (Baritone)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1871; Russia
64.
Nero: Vindex's Epithalamium by Anton Rubinstein
Performer:
Nikolai Shevelev (Baritone)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1875-1876; Russia
65.
The demon: On desire's soft by Anton Rubinstein
Performer:
Andrej Labinsky (Tenor)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1871; Russia
66.
The demon: Calm and clear is the night by Anton Rubinstein
Performer:
Nina Koshetz (Soprano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1871; Russia
67.
A Life for the Tsar: I gaze toward the field, the open field "Antonida's Cavatina & Rondo" by Mikhail Glinka
Performer:
Maria Michailova (Soprano)
Period: Romantic
Written: Russia
68.
A Life for the Tsar: Ah, not to me, poor wretch by Mikhail Glinka
Performer:
Eugenia Zbrujeva (Mezzo Soprano)
Period: Romantic
Written: Russia
69.
A Life for the Tsar: They sense the truth "Susanin's Aria" by Mikhail Glinka
Performer:
Vladimir Kastorsky (Bass Baritone)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1834-1836; Russia
70.
Russlan and Ludmilla: O my Ratmir! "Gorislava's Romance and Cavatina" by Mikhail Glinka
Performer:
Marianne Tcherkasskaya (Soprano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1837-1842; Russia
71.
Judith: I shall don my robe for byssus by Alexander N. Serov
Performer:
Natalija Ermolenko-Juzhina (Soprano)
Period: Romantic
Sound Samples
La Vie pour le Tsar - Acte I : Cavatine et rondo d'Antonida
La Vie pour le Tsar - Acte VI : Brother, in the darkness
La Vie pour le Tsar - Acte IV : My poor horse is dead
A Life for the Tsar - Act IV : They begin to guess the truth! (Susanin)
A Life for the Tsar - Act IV : Not so long ago, at home (Susanin)
A Life for the Tsar - Act IV : Death of Susanin
Ruslan and Ludmilla: Act 2: Already the hour of my triumph (Farlaf's Rondo)
Rusalka: Act 1: You young girls are all alike (Miller's aria)
Rusalka: Act 3: Good morrow, son-in-law (Mad Scene and Death of the Miller)
Prince Igor: Prince Galitsky's Aria (Act 1): I hate a dreary life
Vladimir's Aria (Prince Igor, Act II)
Prince Igor's Aria (Prince Igor, Act II)
Khan Konchak's Aria (Prince Igor)
Jaroslavna's Lament (Prince Igor, Act IV)
Boris Godunov, PROLOGUE - Scene One: Pravolslávnyyel nye umolím boyárin! (Shchelkalov)
Pimen's Narrative (Boris Godunov, Act I)
Boris Godunov, Scene Two: Kak vo górode bylo vo Kazáne (Varlaam)
Boris Godunov - Act II : Song of the Gnat
Boris Godunov, ACT 2: Ekh, máma mámushka (Fyodor/Nurse)
Boris Godunov, ACT TWO: Dostig ya vyshey vlásti (Boris)
Boris Godunov, ACT TWO: Pópinka nash sidyél s mamkámi v svetlítse (Fydor/Boris)
In the Cathedral of Ulglich
Boris Godunov: Act 2: Ah! I am suffocating (Clock Scene)
Marina's Aria (Boris Godunov, Act III)
Boris Godunov - Act III : Marina Rangoni Duet
Boris Godunov, Scene Two: V pólnoch ... v sadú ... u fontána (Dimitri)
Boris Godunov, Act II - Scene Two: Iezuít lukávy krépko zhal menyá
Boris Godunov - Act IV : Shuisky's Evidence
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review: 
( 1 Customer Review )
Amazing Revelation August 20, 2013
By Robert E. (New York, NY) See All My Reviews
"I've come to an appreciation of Russian Opera late in my life and to say that this 5 CD compilation of great Russian singing artists is totally thrilling would be a gross understatement. I am bowled over with the sheer power and sensitivity these vocalists exhibit in all of the selections presented in this album. It truly is a rare treat to be so emotionally affected - I find myself playing these recordings over and over. I think you will too; also, it is quite a bargain."
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