Rimsky-Korsakov: The Golden Cockerel

Nikolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov showed musical promise as a child, but the pursuit of a Naval career meant that much of his grounding in musical theory was gained in between various tours of duty. Although best known in the Western world for his nationalist orchestral works, Rimsky-Korsakov brought Russian opera to the fore, so that by the end of his life, the genre was flourishing.

The Golden Cockerel, written between 15 October 1906 and 29 August 1907, was inspired by Alexander Pushkin's tale and caused concern among the Russian authorities, with the story detailing the murder of a Tsar and providing a critique of the power associated with Tsarism. This predictably led to trouble with the censor, which demanded that the prologue, epilogue and fourteen lines of the libretto should be cut; Rimsky-Korsakov refused and the work was permitted to only appear in print. At the centre of the opera is the juxtaposition of two of the characters and their respective musical language: that of the rigid marches demonstrating the power of King Dodon and the delicate, ethereal chromaticism of the Queen of Shemaka, designed to sound other-worldly. This recording includes the opera in full, containing none of the cuts demanded by the censor.

Of this 1985 recording by the Sofia National Opera, conducted by Dimiter Manolov, BBC Music Magazine wrote that 'the famous 19-minute coloratura show-piece ... is beautifully encompassed' by Elena Stoyanova, who sings the role of the Queen of Shemakha. The role of King Dodon is sung by Hungarian bass Nikolai Stoilov.

Other information:
- Recorded in 1985.
- Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov is one of the most important Russian composers of romantic opera. His operas, often on themes taken from Russian folklore and fairy tales, abound in colourful and atmospheric scenes, with just the right tinge of spicy Russian melodic flavours.
- The Golden Cockerel, based on a tale by Pushkin, was censored by the Russian authorities, accused of hidden political motives. This performance offers the complete, uncut version of the opera, one of Rimsky's finest and best known.
Excellent performance by great Bulgarian voices and forces, a superb recording from the Balkanton catalogue.
- The Booklet includes the synopsis of the opera, as well as notes on the composer and the work.