George Gagnidze sings the role of Boyar Shaklovity in Khovanshchina at the Staatsoper Berlin, in a production by Claus Guth under the musical direction of Timur Zangiev. He joins a distinguished cast that includes Mika Kares as Ivan Khovansky, Thomas Atkins as Andrei Khovansky, Stephan Rügamer as Vassily Golitzyn, Taras Shtonda as Dosifey, and Marina Prudenskaya as Marfa. Performances take place on November 2, 9, 15, and 23.

The Georgian baritone received rave reviews for his interpretation of Boyar Shaklovity when this production was first unveiled at the Staatsoper Berlin in 2024. He has also performed the role at the Metropolitan Opera and at the BBC Proms.

More information about George Gagnidze:

https://www.operabase.com/george-gagnidze-a6056/de

https://georgegagnidze.com/

https://www.instagram.com/georgegagnidze/?hl=de

About the Production:

Between 1682 and 1689, Moscow becomes the scene of chaotic political upheaval, culminating in the energetic Tsarevich Peter (later known as Peter the Great) seizing power. Various factions wage brutal battles for the throne: fanatical sectarians known as the “Old Believers,” the Streltsy—the Tsar’s bodyguard—anarchistic lone fighters, and Peter’s loyal supporters. Yet the true protagonist of the opera is the people themselves.

In Khovanshchina (“The Khovansky Affair”), Modest Mussorgsky was not concerned with reproducing political events and ruthless power struggles in precise detail. Rather, through a vast collage of historical documents, he sought to portray “the past within the present”—a kind of meditation on history through the medium of opera. Director Claus Guth, interested in sharply defined character portrayals within their respective worlds, stages Mussorgsky’s unfinished stage work, which was later completed through the assisting hands of Stravinsky and Shostakovich.

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