Mark Reizen as Boris Godunov

The 20th Century's "other" great Boris.
The legendary Mark Reizen in one of his great roles.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Boris
• Godunov
• Mark
• Reizen
• Opera
• Basso
• Classical
• Марк
• Рейзен
• Борис
• Годунов
• Мусоргский
• Болшой

[SamiTheVoice]

Well, don't know about that praised acting... looks quite woody to me. But singing is great.

[vhan2007]

On first sight you have a point. But then on second thought here is a man basically .....thinking. .Deep in thought. So should he throw himself all over the stage, or perhaps more intelligent to do what a man alone and deep in thoughts really does. Which is mostly nothing. That is why great acting should not be confused with activity just to be active.

Thanks for your coment.

[markovican]

Great! My grandfather introduced me to Reizen when he played some old LP of his. This monologue was on it among the others. Too bad there is such a mess surounding Mussorgsky score&Rimsky-Korsakov alterations, I almost got headache just by trying to found out how much the opera today is original score from Mussorgsky and just how much was it edited.Bah,I guess I'll have to read more about it if I would like to have any idea what really happened...Well at least I can listen without much ponder

[vhan2007]

I do not worry much about versions, as long as I like the singing. Reizen did sing the "Musorgsky" version of Godunov in the1928 production in Leningrad, (Mariinsky-Kirov) and he knew a lot about the versions. He was part of the commitee at the Bolshoi in 1946, when a new production of Boris was considered and the controversy was : "What version".

[acduckett]

did he sing any of the great verdi roles?

[vhan2007]

Yes, and quite well too:

On record:

Vespri Siciliani - O tu Palermo

Simon Boccanegra - Il Lacerato spirito

The above two were recorded in both Russian and in Italian

Don Carlo - Ella Giamai m'amo

Other Western operas:

Barber of Seville - complete, also Basilio's aria in italian. He was a celebrated Basilio on stage.

Faust - complete - one of the most exciting Mephistopheles on record.

Also recorded a resounding Wotans Abschied fro Die Walkure

[stefakamelpash]

Not to take anything away from the great Chaliapin, but I actually prefer Reizen in this role. Listing to this from a purely musical point of view, it is superb. He was a formidable musician. Chaliapin was a great melodramatic actor, but his musicianship could not compare to this. Великолепно!

[EdmundStAustell]

In terms of musicianship, pure vocalism, and exquisite acting, this role alone is enough to establsh Mark Reizen as the greatest bass in Russian/Soviet history. I know that's a bold assertion, but I actually do feel that way. Who is as good? Who is better? Absolutely perfecting singing and acting!

[76Basso]

Wow, great clip! This is definitely one of the best performances of Boris that I have ever heard and the high F#'s sound quite effortless. Thank you for sharing this great performance.

[AmhranaiAlainn]

@EdmundStAustell Totally agree. Reizen knew the true art of singing that has been absent from the world stage (of opera) now for over half a century.

[AmhranaiAlainn]

@vhan2007 Well said. The greatest singers in the world including this man, used their voices to do the acting. Every word he utters paints a picture. Tks for posting.

[BorisGodunov]

What I like most about this performance is that Reizen gives an air of intelligence and thoughtfulness to Boris. Too often, I see bassos that portray him as just wildly superstitious and rather brutish. That's not at all how I see the character--historically, Boris was quite clever and intellectual.

[paulostroff99]

Remarkable singing. As good  as any ever was.TY Dandy!

[CanadaPisces]

An excellent basso! TY!

[stevevandien]

How did all Reizen and the other great Russian basses, virtually all of whom had big, dramatic voices, develop that marvelous mezza voce? Particularly on high notes?

[paulostroff99]

Stunning!  Has there ever been better? Bravo!