Boris Christoff sings Boris Godunov (vaimusic.com)

[MisterPapageno]

Boris Christoff is Boris Godunov!

[dalecampbl9]

if not for Tchaikovsky, Moussorgsky would've been Russia's greatest 19th century composer, despite his relatively small output

[clytemnestre1]

Maestro Christoff great since ever!

[Gheorgyi]

@clytemnestre1 What's for sure is, if one thinks of a "basso", it's of a Russian... They seem to be naturally endowed for it. I don't know shy, but it's the way I think. Gheorghij

[Bret6464]

@Gheorgyi Boris Christoff is Bulgarian :-)

[Gheorgyi]

@Bret6464 Oh, it's you again. In a better disposition, I see - up to the use of "smileys". Well, hooray for him, and for Bulgaria. I didn't write he was (WAS: not "is" - he died in '93) Russian, only that the term "basso" for a singer typically evokes a Russian - see Fiodor Chaliapin, e.g., Quite a great singer,

[Bret6464]

@Gheorgyi Nice to meet you again, whatever that was (?), nothing personal :-)

Yes Chaliapin was the greatest before Christoff, I and many many others consider Boris as great as Fiodor, both are legends :-))

Long line of extraordinary Bulgarian bassos, Boris Christoff and Nikolai Ghiaurov, assume you have heard him?

[vivascargill]

Boris Christoff was ther grestest Basso I  ever heard--not to be political--seriously--I think Paul Robeson had he worked at it could have competed

[P1B1U1H1]

Just love this opera.  When Boris gets all holy at the end, it's hard not to start laughing. Can anyone say why the Lithuanians were thought so poorly of by Boris?

[vivascargill]

yes but it would start an argument

[RamettaPaola]

STREPITOSO!!!!

[bobom1]

I've always found this performance appallingly hammy.

A friend of mine sang in Boris alongside Christoff and then Ghiaurov at Covent Garden in successive years in the 60s and said that he felt there was absolutely no comparison between the two, that Ghiaurov was in quite a different league both vocally and dramatically (not to mention that Christoff was apparently a deeply unpleasant colleague).

But it's all a matter of taste...

[dammir]

Hello bobom1,

So I don't understand if your friend preferes Christoff or Ghiaurov. Can you answer ? Thank you. Damien

[bobom1]

Sure. He much preferred Ghiaurov...

[xsavovx]

Cool story, bro ;)

[Labienus]

Probably as hammy as you'd find Chaliapin. For years I only knew Christoff from the recording-and he remains the Boris for me except for the aforementioned. I was always more deeply moved by Christoff than Ghiaurov. How about saying they were both great, and it's a matter of taste. I'm always sick of the over statement-not in the same leaque, non-comparison etc.

[banker571]

A genius is always unpleasant to the ordinary. That is apparent and logical.

[Republicrat74]

I saw Christoff sing Boris in Chicago in 1961, using the same elaborate costumes and sets designed for Chaliapin's 1927 Grand Opening of the New Chicago Opera House built by Sammuel Insull. It was magnificent IMO. When we left there was no idle conversation and the car radio was turned off. We were in awe of what we had just witnessed! More than 30 years later I saw a "modern" German production of Boris with Ramey which was terribly disappointing....not Ramey, the Production!

[europecinema]

One of the best performers of all times! Impressive!

[europecinema]

One of the best performers of all times! Impressive!

[qklq42]

And that music at the entrance of Pimen. Some few seconds, but sooooooo beautiful!!!

Hans NL

[durchfuerung]

Boris est incomparable! Je me demande si quelque fois, peut-etre dans une autre epoque, aurait-il un pareil chanteur et acteur que lui?...

[Holovanov]

The best ever! Absolutely the Greatest!

[emotionbelcanto]

Boris Christoff we love you! <3

[mornaymariedomini]

Could you put some more video or audio of Aleko for exemple. Why did you take of the complete Boris death version.....He remain the better for all over interpretations of Boris and bass repertory. I am lucky having heard himself singing alive he filled those theatres with his ecxeptionnal artistic temperament and voice . The audiance was not the same after his performances. PLEASE SEND MORE VIDEO IN ORDER TO HONOR THE GREATEST ARTIST HE WAS, AND STILL HE IS, LISTENING TO HIM...

[Moffolover]

Need more Christoff to YouTube!!! My favourite bass.

[jeanette1939]

OH WHAT A PLEASURE!!!! I was fortunate enough to see him in Boris at Lyric Opera of Chicago. I'm not sure if it was in the late 50's or the early 60's. My Father loves that opera the most and the performance that evening is etched in my mind. I have seen it several times since but never have a seen a better Boris.

Jeanette

[sorbino9]

Wow, lucky you! Did his voice fill the theatre? It sounds big and present to me, but it's hard to tell from recordings. What was the audience's reaction?

[jeanette1939]

That night was magic. Christoff's voice definitely filled a very large opera house. The Chicago audience was used to Bjorling, Stevens, Callas, Tebaldi and other from that era so they knew greatness when they heard it. He had a standing ovation. His recording of Boris is also a wonder. Sad he had such a early death.

Jeanette

[radsvid]

Christoff diead at 79, I wouldn't call this early.

[MaxErnst]

The greatest bass of all times

[MANUELVID]

Eso si es un Bajo!!!!

[gvjps123]

A towering performer vocally, technically, and artistically! Imo, he was one of the best Boris's of the century

[mornaymariedomini]

Again, I ask you to put on the first version 10mn, until the boris character death, that's a not complete version. This is the best boris Godunov death interpretation never unequalled. Only the great Christoff has given the very dramatic and musical dimensions. Thanks.

[mornaymariedomini]

I prefer the first boris death video until the very death of Boris character. nobody has sung in that way magnificent theatral and such Boris Christoff musicality... Please put the whole interpretation 10mn. Thank a lot.

[Operafiend22]

A brilliant singer who utilized every facet of his voice. Artistry is not merely about singing loud, but more importantly about bringing every nuance of the character to recognition, as represented in the score. For some strange reason, some on YouTube are obsessed with the size of one's voice. Singing opera, as Christoff does, is much more complex than this.

[dustmondo45]

I totally agree with you (even though I like big voices too), but it's far from being the only point in singing.

I like colors and characters psychology in Opera.

There's a couple song on his Mussorgsky's melodies recording where his voice switches totally from cold blue to gold, it's just amazing, I never heard that before with any singer.