Mussorgsky’s opera about the coronation and troubled reign of Tsar Boris Godunov is Boris Godunov.
The opera is based chiefly on Alexander Pushkin’s verse drama Boris Godunov, with additional historical material influenced by Nikolay Karamzin. It follows Boris as he accepts the Russian throne amid political suspicion, famine and accusations connected with the death of the young tsarevich Dmitry.
Mussorgsky revised the opera more than once. The original version was completed in 1869 but rejected by the Imperial Theatres, partly because it did not provide a major female role and lacked conventional ballet scenes. Mussorgsky later produced a revised version, which was staged in 1874.
The opera is noted for its large-scale crowd scenes and for making the Russian people a central dramatic presence. Later performances often use versions edited or orchestrated by other composers, especially Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov.