A Life for the Tsar: An Opera in Four Acts

A Life for the Tsar is not a perfect opera(also more familiar with Ruslan and Ludmilla myself), but it is in Russian opera history an important one regardless of it being reasonably rarely performed. The story has its turgid and static moments and doesn't always flow but most of it is actually compelling and Glinka's music is beautiful, one standout being the magnificent final chorus. The opera may not be a "great" one but it definitely deserves to be performed and recorded more and be known as more than historical value.

This Bolshoi production is the first and only DVD production available and while, like the opera, not perfect it's a strong one. Some of the acting and interaction is a little static and stand-and-deliver, especially in the case of Marina Mescheriakova, and while the ballet is grand, with typically fine music and is very gracefully and characterfully danced it does for my tastes go on a little too long and grinds the drama to a halt.

It's a lovely-looking production though, with sumptuous painterly sets and elegant costumes that are not gaudy or swamp the singers. The DVD is surprisingly good too for Kultur, who've had their fair share of disappointing releases, the sound is clearer than most of their releases and the picture sharper. The videography is not too staid, not too intrusive and doesn't try to do anything that looks chaotic or pointless. The staging is not always consistent but has some fine moments thanks to Evgeny Nesterenko and Elena Zaremba(two artists who can have the dullest stage direction around and still make it as interesting as possible). It's traditional and straightforward and all the better for it, if any over-complicated or distasteful things were included or if the setting was updated the production(though some may disagree) wouldn't have worked, it would completely jar due to the story and referencing being so specific and of the time.

Musically, there's a huge amount to admire. The orchestral playing is powerful and nuanced and their sound has that lush and rousing Russian flavour. The chorus singing is tremendous and perfect in intonation and while their stage direction was not much they do make effort in giving some personality. Alexander Lazarev's conducting is authoritative and accommodating. The principal performances are of very good standard, outstanding actually in the cases of Yvgeny Nesterenko and Elena Zaremba. Nesterenko is not at his absolute best, understandably as this is late in his career, but his singing still has enough dark resonance and his acting is moving and full of benevolent dignity. Zaremba's voice is very rich and she conveys the boyish charm of Vanya brilliantly, the best actress on stage.

Alexander Lomonosov also is charming and he has charisma, though his singing is more memorable than his acting. The role is a fiendish challenge with a mix of Grand opera and colouratura Bel-Canto, both of which Lomonosov masters with ease with a tone that is burnished, flexible and unstrained. Marina Mescheriakova starts off a little shrill and flat pitched but quickly shows a full and very beautiful voice that is shaped and used very musically, sadly dramatically she was the weak link and the least involved. Overall, a strong Bolshoi production. 8/10 Bethany Cox