Search - N. Rimsky-Korsakov :: Boyarinya Vera Sheloga-Highlights

An interesting curiosity, if not among Rimsky's most impress

G.D. | Norway | 01/01/2010

(3 out of 5 stars)

"It is a fortunate situation that most of Rimsky-Korsakov's operas seem presently available, in one form or another (we're still missing Servilia, I think, and both Pan Voyevoda and The Tale of Tsar Saltan seem difficult to obtain though they have, at least, existed - and I would very much like to see a new recording of what is perhaps his most magical work, Christmas Eve). In any case, the opera at hand, Boyarina Vera Sheloga, is something of a curiosity. It is short for a Rimsky opera, a one-acter fitting nicely onto one disc, and the plot is simple (Vera's husband Ivan loves war more than her and is always away on the quest for glory; in the meantime Vera has an affair with the tsar resulting in a daughter; her sister intervenes to protect the child from Ivan), and unfortunately somewhat static. It was written in the 1870s but extensively revised in 1898, and was intended as a prelude to The maid of Pskov (the daughter in question, Olga, is supposed to be that very maid).



Stylistically it also differs from other Rimsky operas; the vocal lines imitate, to some extent, spoken dialogue but with a certain stylization (yes, Janacek's technique). Most of the opera is performed in a declamatory style with subtly accompanying instrumental work, and it actually works very well - the end result is a very beautiful, attractive work, but what we're sorely missing is the rich variety of memorable themes that we get in many of his other operas. In fact, we do get a couple here as well; the overture is vintage Rimsky-Korsakov, wonderfully atmospheric, tuneful, gorgeously scored and very effective, and the Lullaby is also a stirring, memorable number.



Among the two main characters, Evstatieva is a fine singer, expressive and often beautiful, and she is able to vary the emotions and moods impressively; the main attraction among the soloists is, however, Alexandrina Milcheva as her sister. She is a really splendid singer with a wonderful, stable and warm tone and one of those I would very much like to have heard in other kinds of roles as well. Apart from those two, the performances are more variable, but the orchestra is pretty decent, producing much fine playing under Angelov's assured direction. The sound is a little hard-edged, though, and the soloists are somewhat too prominently placed (which matters less here than in some of the other Rimsky recordings issued by Capriccio). In sum, this is an attractive release of an interesting and very appealing curiosity; not a masterpiece, and definitely not the place to start exploring Rimsky-Korsakov's operas, but a worthwhile addition to any opera collection nonetheless - and I doubt there'll ever be many alternative interpretations."