Original version by the composer
Libretto by Modest Musorgsky after the tragedy by Alexander Pushkin
(14 characters, 40 musicians & 30 chorus singers)
Staged by Yuri Alexandrov
Premiere: 12 May 1995

The logically drawn parallels between the Time of Troubles and the Russia of today give rise to philosophical reflections about the fate of the country and its people and the problem of "that loneliness which comes with power". The tragic figure of Tsar Boris being surrounded by subjects who despise him provides the main idea in this opera, staged as it is in a notably ascetic manner.
It has become the Theatre's "visiting card", confirming the importance of the directing profession. The St. Petersburg Chamber Opera's production of Boris Godunov was received by several critics as a challenge to traditional, grand stagings of this monumental opera by academic theatres.