Boris Godunov: a drama in verse

In the winter of 1598 the Kremlin looms heavy with whispers of succession, its stone corridors echoing the uneasy murmur of nobles, monks, and common folk. Prince Shuisky and Prince Vorotinsky, two proud scions of the ancient Rurik line, grapple with the unsettling reality that the young heir, Dmitry, has vanished under mysterious circumstances. Their dialogue crackles with suspicion, pointing fingers at the newly crowned Boris Godunov and hinting at a murder that could stain the very foundation of the throne.

Against this backdrop of looming coronation, a chorus of voices—cunning ministers, devout monks, and desperate peasants—adds layers of intrigue and moral doubt. As conspiracies swirl and loyalties are tested, listeners are drawn into a world where power is both a crown and a curse, and where the quest for legitimacy threatens to unravel the fragile peace of a nation on the brink of turmoil.