Rimsky-Korsakov's The Tsar's Bride

A masterpiece of Russian opera long unknown in the West, Rimsky-Korsakov’s The Tsar's Bride comes to life in this stunning new production from the world-famous Bolshoi Theatre! Israeli stage director Julia Pevzner's assured vision—coupled with the opulent costumes by Elena Zaitseva, immersive set design by Alyona Pikalova, and impeccable performances by the Bolshoi's star soloists—craft a compelling case for the opera's entry into the standard repertoire.

Inspired by tragic events during the 16th-century reign of Ivan the Terrible, Ilia Tyumenev’s gripping libretto tells the tale of Marfa Sobakina (Olga Seliverstova), the daughter of a rich Siberian merchant (Stanislav Trofimov) who is hand-picked to become third wife of the tsar—though she is already in love with her childhood sweetheart, the boyar (nobleman) Lykov (Ilya Selivanov). Jealousy and adultery, intrigue and blackmail, potions and poisons will all have their roles to play before the opera—graced by one of Rimsky-Korsakov's most compelling scores, with the Bolshoi Orchestra conducted to perfection by Tugan Sokhiev—reaches its tragic conclusion.