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Boris Christoff in Boris Godunov

19 février 1966
03m 39s
Ref. 00032

Information

Summary :

Opera singer Boris Christoff returns to the Parisian stage of the Champs Elysées theatre after a twelve year absence to interpret the role of Boris Godunov, and part of Mikhail Glinka's opera A Life for the Tsar . After a brief interview, he performs an excerpt from Boris Godunov.

Media type :
Vidéo
Broadcast date :
19 février 1966
Source :
ORTF (Collection: JT 20H )
Personnalité(s) :
Boris Christoff / Mikhaïl Glinka (ivanovitch Glinka) / Antonio (de) Almeida
Themes :
Places :

Context

Born in Bulgaria in 1914, Boris Christoff is from a family of amateur musicians. He began singing in a choir in Sofia. He was advised - by the king himself - to devote his studies to singing. He left for Italy where, under the direction of Riccardo Stracciari, he first thought of a career as a baritone. But it was as a bass that started his career in 1946. For several years he sang his wide-ranging repertoire in Italy, from Brahms to Giordano, passing by Wagner and Massenet...

Then, in the following twenty years his career developed throughout Europe. He was much sought after. He sang the great Russian roles in particular but also Verdi, Gounod, the great bass roles. He left us with many recordings: several versions of Boris Godunov, Ivan Sousanine, Faust, Russian melodies, Don Carlos... The richness of his voice, his respect for a score's nuances, his passion and his stage-presence made him one of the great bass voices of the 20th century. Boris Christoff died in Rome in 1993.

Michel Coupard

Transcription

(Silence)
Boris Christoff
Yesterday morning, on the stage of the Champs Elysées theatre, after a 12-year absence, Boris Christoff was getting ready to face Parisian audiences once again along with the orchestra of the conservatory's concert company, conducted by Antonio de Almeida, 12 years of absence that Boris Christoff says that he regrets.
(Silence)
Boris Christoff
I regret it very much because I love French audiences. They know me very well. Myself, I record every year, I practically record here, in Paris. The entire music industry knows me, I think. There.
Bernard Tournois
Do you like Paris, specifically? Do you like living there?
Boris Christoff
Of course, naturally. I think that everyone likes living here.
Bernard Tournois
Master, you're coming back here after exactly 12 years. During your recital, you're going to present this Boris Godounov that you've performed?
Boris Christoff
Yes. Yes, we're going to present a part, a small part of "Boris Godounov", meaning, the death of Boris Godounov, and first of all, we're also going to present something that nobody knows about, here, meaning, "A Life for the Tsar"...
Bernard Tournois
By Glinka.
Boris Christoff
By Glinka, who was the father of all Russian musicians.
Bernard Tournois
What do you like the most in this role of Boris? His dramatic side?
(Silence)
Boris Christoff
The dramatic aspect, yes. But especially the human aspect of this role.
Bernard Tournois
I would like for you explain this to us.
Boris Christoff
It's very hard to explain this now.
Bernard Tournois
We don't have enough time?
Boris Christoff
No. Also, to explain Boris Godounov, I think French audiences are well prepared, and they know Boris Godounov's history very, very well.
Bernard Tournois
It's a recital?
Boris Christoff
Why yes, that's exactly it, just as you say. But I'll get the impression that I'm at the theatre. I closed my eyes and I'll just give you the vocal interpretation. There. Without movements, no drawings, no stage set.
(Music)