Various Artists - Voices of Russian Opera / Various

While Russian opera is often noted for it's strong foreign influences, this five CD set of Russian operatic works delves into the nationalistic and historically grounded elements of the tradition that make it uniquely Russian. Featuring many composers whose names are synonymous with Russian opera, including Glinka, Borodin, Mussorgsky, Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich, and Prokofiev, this collection showcases the breadth and variety of Russian opera at it's best. This compilation features recordings by both Russian and non-Russian vocalists, from the sonorously dark and instantly memorable bass voices of Russians Feodor Chaliapin and Boris Christoff, to the bright and sprightly sopranos of American Teresa Stich-Randall and Slovak Lucia Popp.

1) La Vie Pour Le Tsar - Acte I : Cavatine Et Rondo D'antonida - Orchestre de L'association Des Concerts Lamoureux Teresa Stich-Randall
2) La Vie Pour Le Tsar - Acte VI : Brother in the Darkness - Belgrade Opera Chorus Nicolai Gedda Orchestre de L'association Des Concerts Lamoureux
3) La Vie Pour Le Tsar - Acte IV : My Poor Horse Is Dead - Belgrade Opera Chorus Mela Bougarinovitch Orchestre de L'association Des Concerts Lamoureux
4) A Life for the Tsar - Act IV : They Begin to Guess the Truth! (Susanin) - Boris Christoff Orchestre de L'association Des Concerts Lamoureux
5) A Life for the Tsar - Act IV : Not So Long Ago at Home (Susanin) - Belgrade Opera Chorus Boris Christoff Orchestre de L'association Des Concerts Lamoureux
6) A Life for the Tsar - Act IV : Death of Susanin - Belgrade Opera Chorus Boris Christoff Orchestre de L'association Des Concerts Lamoureux
7) Act 2: Already the Hour of My Triumph (Farlaf's Rondo) - Feodor Chaliapin/London Symphony Orchestra/Max Steinmann
8) Act 1: You Young Girls Are All Alike (Miller's Aria) - Feodor Chaliapin/Georgi Pozemkovsky/London Symphony Orchestra/Max Steinmann
9) Act 3: Good Morrow Son-In-Law (Mad Scene and Death of the Miller) - Feodor Chaliapin/Georgi Pozemkovsky/London Symphony Orchestra/Max Steinmann
10) Prince Galitsky's Aria (Act 1): I Hate a Dreary Life - Boris Christoff/Philharmonia Orchestra/Issay Dobroven
11) Konchakovna's Aria - Jerzy Semkow/Chorus ; Orchestra of the National Opera Theatre of Sofia
12) Vladimir's Aria (Prince Igor Act II) - Todor Todorov/Jerzy Semkow/Orchestra of the National Opera Theatre of Sofia
13) Prince Igor's Aria (Prince Igor Act II) - Constantin Chekerliski/Jerzy Semkow/Orchestra of the National Opera Theatre of Sofia
14) Khan Konchak's Aria (Prince Igor) - Boris Christoff/Jerzy Semkow/Philharmonia Orchestra
15) Jaroslavna's Lament (Prince Igor Act Iv) - Julia Wiener/Jerzy Semkov/Orchestra of the National Opera Theatre of Sofia
16) Pravolslávnyyel Nye Umolím Boyárin! (Shchelkalov) - Jacques Mars/Orchestre de la Societe Des Concerts Du Conservatoire/Andre Cluytens
17) Coronation Scene - Martti Talvela/Polish Radio Chorus of Krakow/Jerzy Semkow/Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra
18) Pimen's Narrative (Boris Godunov Act I) - Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra/Jerzy Semkow/Leonard Mroz
19) Kak Vo Górode Bylo Vo Kazáne (Varlaam) - Aage Haugland/Krakow Philharmonic Chorus/Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra/Jerzy Semkow
20) Boris Godunov - Act II : Song of the Gnat - Lydia Romanova Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Française
21) Ekh Máma Mámushka (Fyodor/Nurse) - Ana Alexieva/Mela Bougarinovitch/Orchestre de la Societe Des Concerts Du Conservatoire/Andre Cluytens
22) Dostig Ya Vyshey Vlásti (Boris) - Martti Talvela/Krakow Philharmonic Chorus/Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra/Jerzy Semkow
23) Pópinka Nash Sidyél S Mamkámi V Svetlítse (Fydor/Boris) - Martti Talvela/Wiera Baniewicz/Krakow Philharmonic Chorus/Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra/Jerzy Semkow
24) In the Cathedral of Ulglich - Bohdan Paprocki/Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra/Jerzy Semkow
25) Act 2: Ah! I Am Suffocating (Clock Scene) - Feodor Chaliapin/London Symphony Orchestra/Max Steinmann
26) Marina's Aria (Boris Godunov Act III) - Evelyn Lear/Orchestre de la Societe Des Concerts Du Conservatoire/Andre Cluytens
27) Boris Godunov - Act III : Marina Rangoni Duet - Eugenia Zareska Kim Borg Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Française
28) V Pólnoch... V Sadú... U Fontána (Dimitri) - Dimitr Ouzounov/Orchestre de la Societe Des Concerts Du Conservatoire/Andre Cluytens
29) Iezuít Lukávy Krépko Zhal Menyá - Nicolai Gedda/Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra/Gika Zdravkovitch
30) Boris Godunov - Act IV : Shuisky's Evidence - André Bielecki Boris Christoff Choeurs Russes de Paris Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Française
31) Sanovítyye Boyáre! (Shchelkalov) - Andrzej Hiolski/Krakow Philharmonic Chorus/Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra/Jerzy Semkow
32) TRRR... Zhelyézny Kolpák Zhelyézny Kolpák! (Boys/Simpleton) - Kiril Dulguerov/Chorus of the National Opera of Sofia/Orchestre de la Societe Des Concerts Du Conservatoire/Andre Cluytens
33) Lyéytes Lyéytes Slyózy Górkiye (Simpleton) - Paulos Raptis/Krakow Philharmonic Chorus/Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra/Jerzy Semkow
34) Proshcháy Moy Syn Umiráyu! (Boris) - Boris Christoff/Orchestre de la Societe Des Concerts Du Conservatoire/Andre Cluytens
35) Zvon! Pogrebál'ny Zvon! (Boris/People/Fyodor/Church Choir/Boyars) - Boris Christoff/Ana Alexieva/Milen Paounov/Chorus of the National Opera of Sofia/Orchestre de la Societe Des Concerts Du Conservatoire/Andre Cluytens
36) The Feild-Marshal (Vivo - Alla Guerra) - Galina Vishnevskaya/London Philharmonic Orchestra/Mstislav Rostropovich
37) Sorochinskaya Yarmarka: Zachem Ty Serdtse Rysayesh I Stonesh? (Gritzko Act 1) (Der Jahrmarkt Von Sorotschinski: Mein Herz Mein Armes Herz) (1996 Digital Remaster) - Nicolai Gedda/Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra/Gika Zdravkovitch
38) Dositheus' Aria: 'Here on This Spot' (Act 5) - Boris Christoff/Philharmonia Orchestra/Issay Dobroven
39) Pooskai Pogibnoo Ya (Tatiana's Letter Scene) (Act 1) - Lucia Popp/Munchner Rundfunkorchester/Stefan Soltesz
40) Kuda... Kuda... - Rolando Villazon/Munchner Rundfunkorchester/Michel Plasson
41) Prince Gremin's Aria - "Lyubvi Fse Vozrastï Pokornï" (Prince Gremin) - Jonathan Lemalu/New Zealand Symphony Orchestra/James Judd
42) Pikovaya Dama: Prosti Prelestnoe Sozdanye (Hermann Act 1) (Pique Dame: Verzeihe Mir Du Himmlisch Wesen) (1996 Digital Remaster) - Nicolai Gedda/Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra/Gika Zdravkovitch
43) Uzh Polnoch Blizitsya (It Is Close on Midnight Already) (Act 3) - Lucia Popp/Munchner Rundfunkorchester/Stefan Soltesz
44) Pikovaya Dama: Chto Nasha Zhizn? Igra! (Hermann Act 3) (Pique Dame: Das Leben Gleicht Dem Spiel) (1996 Digital Remaster) - Nicolai Gedda/Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra/Gika Zdravkovitch
45) Lehl's First Song - Galina Vishnevskaya/London Philharmonic Orchestra/Mstislav Rostropovich
46) Maiskaya Noch: Solnyshko Nizko (Levko Act 1) (Mainacht: Sonne Schon Sinket) (1996 Digital Remaster) - Nicolai Gedda/Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra/Gika Zdravkovitch
47) Sadko: Oj Ty T'omnaja Dubravushka! (Sadko Tableau II) (Sadko: Ach Du Dunkler Schattenreicher Wald) (1996 Digital Remaster) - Nicolai Gedda/Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra/Gika Zdravkovitch
48) Lullaby of the Sea Princess: Sleep Went Along the River (Berceuse) - Galina Vishnevskaya/London Philharmonic Orchestra/Mstislav Rostropovich
49) Scene 4: Against the Cruel Rocks (Song of the Viking Guest) - Feodor Chaliapin/Orchestra/Albert Coates
50) Tsar Berendey's Cavatina (The Snow Maiden Act II) - Dmitri Smirnov
51) Marfa's Scene ; Aria: In Novgorod - Galina Vishnevskaya/London Philharmonic Orchestra/Mstislav Rostropovich
52) Prince Yuri's Aria: 'O Vain Illusion of Glory and Grandeur' (Act 3) - Boris Christoff/Philharmonia Orchestra/Wilhelm Schuchter
53) Durch Die Ebenen - Romanze Des Jungen Zigeuners Aus "Aleko" [Young Gypsy's Romance] (2013 - Remaster) - Nicolai Gedda
54) Act 2: The Moon Is High in the Sky (Aleko's Cavatina) - Feodor Chaliapin/Orchestra/Lawrance Collingwood
55) Voina y Mir (War and Peace): Kakoye Prove Oni Imyeyet (What Right Have They?) (Scene 3) - Lucia Popp/Stefan Soltesz
56) No.19. Song About the Beaver (Andante Assai) - Irina Arkhipova/Anatoly Mokrenko/Boris Morgunov/Ambrosian Chorus/Philharmonia Orchestra/Riccardo Muti
57) No.23: Feodor Basmanov's Song (Allegro Moderato) - Irina Arkhipova/Anatoly Mokrenko/Boris Morgunov/Ambrosian Chorus/Philharmonia Orchestra/Riccardo Muti
58) Oh I Don't Feel Like Sleep (Lady MacBeth of Mtsensk Act I) - London Philharmonic Orchestra/Mstislav Rostropovich/Galina Vishnevskaya
59) That's What Old Age Means (Lady MacBeth of Mtsensk Act II) - Dimiter Petkov/London Philharmonic Orchestra/Mstislav Rostropovich
60) Once a Lady Friend of Mine (Lady MacBeth Mtsensk Act III) - Robert Tear/London Philharmonic Orchestra/Mstislav Rostropovich
61) The Police Were Formed (Lady MacBeth of Mtsensk Act III) - Aage Haugland/Martyn Hill/Oliver Broome/London Philharmonic Orchestra/Mstislav Rostropovich/Ambrosian Opera Chorus
62) V Lesú V Sámoy Cháshche Yest' Ózero (Katerina) - Mstislav Rostropovich/London Philharmonic Orchestra/Galina Vishnevskaya
63) Znáesh Li Sonyétka (Sergey Sonyetka) - Mstislav Rostropovich/London Philharmonic Orchestra/Nicolai Gedda/Birgit Finnila
64) We Trudge Along Day After Day (Lady MacBeth of Mtsensk Act Iv) - Alexander Malta/Ambrosian Opera Chorus/London Philharmonic Orchestra/Mstislav Rostropovich
65) I Look Over the Bare Fields (A Life for the Tsar Act 1) - Marie Michailova
66) Ah Not to Me Poor Wretch (A Life for the Tsar Act Iv) - Eugenia Zbrujeva/Orchestra
67) They Guess the Truth (A Life for the Tsar) - Vladimir Kastorsky
68) Ruslan and Ludmilla (Act III) O My Ratmir! - Marianne Tcherkasskaya
69) I Shall Don My Robe of Byssus (Judith) - Natalia Yuzhina
70) On Desire's Soft Fleeting Wing (The Demon) - Andrei Labinsky
71) In the Quiet of the Night (The Demon) - Nina Koshetz
72) Accursed World (The Demon) - Joachim Tartakov
73) Epithalamium (Nero) - Nicolai Shevelev
74) The Sun Was Shining Brightly (Prisoner of the Caucasus) - Ivan Grizounov
75) O Give Me Oblivion (Doubrovsky) - Dimitri Smirnov/Orchestra
76) I Swear Before God and Thee (The Opritchnik) - Nicolai Figner
77) In Your House (Eugene Onegin Act II) - Dmitri Smirnov
78) Lenski's Aria (Eugene Onegin Act II) - Leonid Sobinov
79) Farewell to the Forests (The Maid of Orleans Act I) - Vera Petrova-Zvanceva
80) It Is Midnight (The Queen of Spades Act III) - Medea Mei-Figner
81) Why Have I Not Known This Before? (Iolanthe Act I) - Lydia Lipkowska
82) My Lord If I Offend (Iolanthe) - Lev Sibiriakov/Orchestra
83) Gathering Berries (The Snow Maiden Prologue) - Antonina Nezhdanova
84) How Painful It Feels (The Snow Maiden Act I) - Lydia Lipkovska
85) Tsar Berendey's Cavatina (The Snow Maiden Act III) - Leonid Sobinov
86) Hymn to the Sun (The Golden Cockerel Act 2) - Antonina Nezhdanova/Orchestra
87) Flowers Were Blooming (Dobrynia Nikitich) - Leonid Sobinov/Orchestra