Khovanshchina

Khovanshchina or The Khovansky Affair (????????? in Russian, Khovanshchina in transliteration) is an opera in five acts by Modest Mussorgsky to a Russian libretto by Vladimir Stasov, based on a historical incident. The work was unfinished and unperformed when the composer died in 1881. It was first performed five years later, after Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov did the necessary work to complete the score. Because of the heavy cuts and "recomposition" at Rimsky-Korsakov's hand, Dmitri Shostakovich revised the opera based on Mussorgsky's vocal score, and it is this version of The Khovansky Affair that is usually performed today. It received its premiere on 21 February 1886 in Saint Petersburg.

Related Topics:
Russian - Transliteration - Opera - Modest Mussorgsky - Libretto - Vladimir Stasov - Composer - 1881 - Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov - Dmitri Shostakovich - 21 February - 1886 - Saint Petersburg

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Like Mussorgsky's earlier Boris Godunov, The Khovansky Affair deals with an episode in Russian history, first brought to the composer's attention by his friend Vladimir Stasov. In this case, it concerns the rebellion of Prince Khovansky and his followers against Peter the Great, who was attempting to institute Westernizing reforms to the country. Ultimately, Peter succeeded, the rebellion was crushed and (in the opera, at least) Khovansky's followers committed mass suicide.

Related Topics:
Boris Godunov - Russian - Vladimir Stasov - Prince Khovansky - Peter the Great

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While not as well known as Boris Godunov, this opera is, in some ways, more accessible. The pace of the action is slow, but there is more in the way of traditional vocal lines as compared to the earlier opera's use of a more speech-like style. There are also some fiery set-pieces, in particular the Dance of the Persian Slaves. While Khovanshchina is not seen on stage often, especially in the West, it has been recorded several times.

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