Boris Godunov
by Modest Mussorgsky
Modest Mussorgsky's Boris Godunov, is centred around the historical figure who was tsar of Russia in the late 16th century. Similarly to Macbeth, Boris loses his mind due to ordering the assassination of the rightful Tsar. Boris’s guilt starts to take hold, and he starts to be haunted by the child that he murdered. Meanwhile a False Dimitry, a monk, starts to gain supporters, saying he has now risen from the grave to claim his birth right. Believing that Young Tsar Dimitry has truly risen from the grave and that it is not just in his mind, Boris suffers a fatal heart attack, leaving the throne to the imposter.
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Concept Project designed for the Wales Millennium Centre, an End On Lyrical Stage
Director Hannah Noone
Designer Meggie Settle
Design Process
While talking with director of this concept project, Hannah Noone, we discussed the Eastern Orthodox religion at the time of the troubles and how the whole story has strong religious language and symbolism throughout. I wanted to draw these aspects into my design, while also drawing on religious art from around the same period. This is what led me to creating a design which combines an old dilapidated Eastern Orthodox Church and the hellscape 'The Harrowing of Hell' by Jacob Isaacsz van Swanenburg. The imagery of the two combined is a powerful one. The idea of combining the house of god with hell really illustrates how far Boris has fallen. I also loved the idea of the making the Boyers surrounding Boris into the demons in the painting, the idea that they are promoting his actions, pushing him to remain in power despite knowing what he has done.
Sketchup Process
Costume Drawings
