Exclusive Asian Premiere “A Russian rarity proves to be a real treasure” The Independent The Bolshoi Opera "The Tsar's Bride" Opera | Russia Rimsky-Korsakov’s thrilling opera, The Tsar’s Bride, stands at the heart of this world famous company’s Russian repertoire. When Tsar Ivan the Terrible chooses Marfa as his new bride, a web of romantic and political intrigue brings dire consequences for her and everyone around her. Based on real events, this taut melodrama brims with passion, jealousy, potions and poisons. Its striking melodies, great arias, and grand subject matter make it a perfect fit for the Bolshoi’s brilliant soloists and resplendent orchestra and chorus. Stirring and rich in drama, this 2014 Bolshoi production of the opera which originally premiered in 1899, is replete with gorgeous, multi-coloured, gold-embroidered costumes, and impressively lavish sets based on Fyodor Fedorovsky’s famous designs for an earlier, landmark, mid-20th century staging. It is The Tsar’s Bride in full glory. The conductor is the legendary Gennadi Rozhdestvensky, who made his Bolshoi debut as long ago as 1951 and is the company’s former Artistic Director. CAST Sobakin: Vladimir Matorin, Alexander Naumenko Marfa: Venera Gimadieva, Olga Kulchinskaya Grigory Gryaznoy: Elchin Azizov, Alexander Kasiyanov Malyuta Skuratov: Oleg Tsybilco, Nikolay Kazansky Lykov: Roman Shulakov, Bogdan Volkov Lyubasha: Svetlana Shilova, Agunda Kulaeva Bomelius: Marat Gali, Stanislav Mostovoy Domna Saburova: Irina Rubtsova, Irina Udalova Dunyasha: Elena Novak, Alexandra Chukhina Petrovna: Anna Matsey With the Bolshoi Orchestra and Chorus PRODUCTION Composer: Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov Libretto by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and Ilya Tyumenev, based on Lev Mey’s play of the same name Music Director/Conductor: Gennadi Rozhdestvensky Stage Director: Julia Pevzner Set Designer: Alyona Pikalova Costume Designer: Elena Zaitseva Chorus Master: Valery Borisov Lighting Designer: Damir Ismagilov Choreographer: Ekaterina Mironova Sets based on the sketches by Fyodor Fedorovsky (1955) - Performed in Russian with English and Chinese surtitles