The Oprichnik

Mikhailovsky Theatre, Saint Petersburg, Russia

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6 PM

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Important Info

Type: Opera

City: Saint Petersburg, Russia

Starts at: 18:00

Acts: 2

Intervals: 1

Duration: 2h 30min

Sung in: Russian

Ticket delivery: E-Tickets

E-tickets: Print at home or at the box office of the event if so specified. You will find more information in your booking confirmation email.

Can I choose my seats?

You can only select the category, and not the exact seats.
If you order 2 or 3 tickets: your seats will be next to each other.
If you order 4 or more tickets: your seats will be next to each other, or, if this is not possible, we will provide a combination of groups of seats (at least in pairs, for example 2+2 or 2+3).

Cast

Performers

Orchestra: Mikhailovsky Theatre Orchestra

Creators

Director: Sergei Novikov

Overview

Using Tchaikovsky’s edits and notes, the creators behind the Mikhailovsky Theatre production have slimmed the score down, removing redundant repetitions and dramatically reimagining certain parts of the opera.

Libretto by Pyotr Tchaikovsky after the tragedy by Ivan Lazhechnikov

Tchaikovsky made his name as an opera composer with The Oprichnik. The opera’s plot takes audiences back to the time of Ivan the Terrible. At the centre of the dramatic narrative is young boyar Andrey Morozov, who is determined to restore his family’s honour and get his beloved back. He makes the difficult choice to join the ranks of the oprichnina — the tsar’s personal guard — and finds himself sitting next to his beautiful bride at his wedding feast... However, the oath he has made to the tsar requires his complete obedience to the will of the monarch, who has plans of his own for Andrey’s young wife.

Tchaikovsky finished work on the score for The Oprichnik in the spring of 1872, but the world premiere took place in St. Petersburg only two years later, on 12 April 1874. The performance, conducted by Eduard Napravnik, was well received not only by the press, but also by the audience. The opera ran for three seasons, but Tchaikovsky’s opinion of his work remained unchanged despite this success: he was dissatisfied with The Oprichnik and forbade publication of the score until he had reworked it. Tchaikovsky worked on ‘updating’ the opera in the last year of his life, sometimes erasing entire pages from the first version of the score, but he ran out of time to bring his plan to fruition.

History

Premiere of this production: 24 April 1874, Mariinsky Theatre, Saint Petersburg

The Oprichnik, also translated as The Guardsman, is an opera in 4 acts, 5 scenes, by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky to his own libretto after the tragedy The Oprichniks by Ivan Lazhechnikov (1792–1869). The subject of the opera is the oprichniks. It is set in Ivan the Terrible's court during the oprichnina times (1565–1573). Tchaikovsky worked on the opera from February 1870 - March 1872. It includes music from his early opera The Voyevoda (1869). The work is dedicated to the Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich Romanov. It was given its premiere performance at the Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg on 24 April 1874, followed by the Moscow premiere on 16 May 1874 at the Bolshoi Theatre.

Synopsis

Moscow. Second half of the 16th century. Ivan the Terrible sees traitors everywhere, and his oprichniks receive special powers to fight them. They look for “traitors” and execute then without trial. A thirst for revenge for his ruined family pushes the young Boyar Andrey Morozov to join the ranks of these imperial guards. But this act leads to unimaginable consequences.

Scene one

Prince Zhemchuzhny’s garden that used to belong to Boyar Morozov. The Prince promises his daughter Natalia in marriage to the old Boyar Molchan Mitkov. Natalia was promised to Andrey Morozov but Prince Zhemchuzhny has changed his mind: after Andrey’s father fell in battle, Zhemchuzhny defraud his house and kicked Andrey and his mother out of it. Natalia is desperate as she is still in love with Andrey.

Andrey Morozov arrives with oprichnik Basmanov, the Tsar’s favourite. He wants to see Natalia before his visit to the Tsar: Andrey hopes that the Tsar will serve justice upon Zhemchuzhny. On Basmanov’s advice, Andrey decides to become an oprichnik in order to take revenge on Zhemchuzhny. When they leave, Natalia returns and mourns her fate, unconsoled by the singing and dancing of her maids.

Scene two

Andrey’s mother, the Boyarynya Morozova, laments on her misfortunes and worries about Andrey. Andrey comes to ask her permission to leave for Aleksandrovskaya Sloboda. Andrey does not dare to tell her of his plans to join oprichniks. Morozova gives him her blessing. She craves for vengeance no less then her son but her heart is heavy.

Scene three

Aleksandrovskaya Sloboda. Sentenced “traitors” pray for their souls. Oprichniks led by Vyazminsky beat up the prisoners.

The Tsar has decided to enroll Andrey to oprichnina. In an agony of doubt, Andrey takes his oath. Vyazminsky makes Andrey kill a young prisoner to prove his loyalty.

Scene four

Cathedral in Moscow. People pray for the Tsar’s return to the capital. Morozova prays for her son. Boys taunt her as “oprichnik’s mother”. Natalia runs into Morozova’s arms for protection from the pursuing Zhemchuzhny and her old groom. Zhemchuzhny tells his servants to seize his disobedient daughter. Suddenly oprichniks, led by Basmanov and

Andrey, appear. Zhemchuzhny is defeated and Natalia is free. Andrey exults in his victory, but Morozova condemns her son for joining oprichniks.
Andrey is stunned at this turn of events. Basmanov suggests that the Tsar might consent to release him from his oath.

Scene five

Wedding of Natalia and Andrey. Andrey is to be released from his oath at midnight. Oprichniks congratulate the newly-weds but they cannot hide their contempt for noble boyars, relatives of Natalia and Andrey. Oprichniks taunt Zhemchuzhny, but Andrey stands up for his father-in-law.

Before midnight, Prince Vyazminsky interrupts the festivities with news that the Tsar has sent for Natalia: he wants to meet her in private. Despite Vyazminsky’s insistence that this is only a test of Andrey’s loyalty, Andrey breaks his oath by refusing to let her go. Executioners erect their scaffolding. The triumphant Prince Vyazminsky makes Morozova watch Andrey’s execution.

The Tsar arrives from his chambers. He casually witnesses execution, sets Zhemchuzhny free and consoles Natalia. The chorus of oprichniks praise the tsar.

Venue Info

Mikhailovsky Theatre - Saint Petersburg
1 Arts Square

Located in the historic center of Saint Petersburg, just steps from Nevsky Prospekt and the Arts Square, the Mikhailovsky Theatre is one of Russia’s most elegant and vibrant venues for opera and ballet. Founded in 1833, the theatre has long been an important part of the city’s rich cultural landscape, offering audiences a refined blend of classical tradition and innovative performance.

The theatre’s architecture reflects the grace of the imperial era. Its beautifully restored auditorium, adorned with gold accents, crimson velvet, and crystal chandeliers, creates an atmosphere of intimacy and aristocratic charm. Despite its historic appearance, the Mikhailovsky Theatre is equipped with modern stage technology, allowing it to present visually impressive productions while preserving its classical elegance.

Today, the theatre is known for its ambitious repertoire that spans beloved masterpieces of opera and ballet. Works by composers such as Tchaikovsky, Verdi, Puccini, and Mussorgsky share the stage with contemporary productions and new interpretations of classical works. The ballet company, admired for its expressive style and strong technique, performs iconic titles including Swan Lake, Giselle, and The Nutcracker, alongside modern choreographic creations.

The Mikhailovsky Theatre regularly welcomes internationally renowned singers, dancers, and conductors, while also nurturing a talented ensemble of resident artists. This combination of global artistry and local tradition creates performances that are both polished and emotionally compelling.

Elegant, historic, and artistically dynamic, the Mikhailovsky Theatre offers an unforgettable journey into the heart of Russian opera and ballet.