Magnificent sound, incomprehensible production
It is wonderful to hear the Shostakovich orchestration in HD sound and the recording, singing and orchestral playing is of the highest order. The production is another matter. This opera deals with complex relationships and historical events and the production should be designed to guide the audience through the story with reasonable clarity. This production has been updated to an almost timeless modern period that reminded me somewhat of the events surrounding the chaotic rise of Boris Yeltsin. The Streltsy are dressed and behave like the rougher end of Russian special forces. The main players have a range of odd clothing that does not help to explain who they are or what they do - there is no explanatory synopsis of this production in the booklet - and many scenes are just vulgar and wierd. Peter the Great sitting in an attic chewing a turkey and fiddling about with his clothes for example. If you have your old CD or other libretto available better get it out, it might be...
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