Mark Reizen- Dosifey's 1st act scene from Khovanshchina

The great Ukrainian-born Jewish bass Mark Reizen (1895-1992) makes his 1st act entrance as Dosifey, leader of the Old Believers, in Mussorgsky's "Khovanshchina": "...A time of bleakness and spiritual destruction has come upon us...".

Taken from a late 1950's Mosfilm version of the opera (directed by Vera Stroyeva), this video captures Reizen towards the end of his distinguished stage career. The sonorous voice is still in top form, and (as always) his singing and presence are absolutely authoritative. Aleksei Krivchenya sings the role of Ivan Khovansky.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Russian
• opera
• Ukrainian
• Jewish
• basso
• Mark
• Reizen
• Марк
• Рейзен
• Khovanshchina
• Dosifey
• Dosifei
• Modest
• Mussorgsky
• Mosfilm
• Krivchenya

[CzarDodon]

Thanks a million for this khankonchak, any chance you have some more. Is it from a complete film?

[khankonchak]

Yes, it's from a Mosfilm version of the opera (with some heavy cuts in the score), dating back to 1959. You'll find a bit more info in my video description above. I'll be posting another clip shortly!

[Ufelan]

Superb Riezen!

Could you please upload Dosifey's aria from the final act from this production?

[khankonchak]

Done. Unfortunately, the aria was heavily cut for the film- about half of it is gone! The

1st act scene above is also abridged but suffers less. Reizen's singing is still wonderful, in any case.

[jkircher314]

Magnificent.

[Ufelan]

My goodness, I can't stop watching this over and over. The gesture he makes and the look he gives between 01:15 and 01:20 alone are priceless! As for the voice, I'm at a loss of words, as I always am when it's Reizen singing. Priceless!

[paulostroff99]

awesome! TY K.

[Biogem369]

Russian classics, now it is a rarity.

[1560129]

es reizen mich noch viele sachen

[eriniaRO]

remarcabila realizare ....

[ww2fan39]

Damn good voice.

[Imogenn]

Brilliant video, thank you very much for posting.

[Ufelan]

Many thanks!