„Chowanschtschina“ by Modest Mussorgsky

In his opera „Chowanschtschina“, based on historical events, composer Modest Mussorgsky condenses the political and religious conflicts of late 17th-century Russia into a dramatic stage work.Between 1682 and 1689, Moscow became the stage for chaotic political events. Various parties fought brutally for the throne. However, the real protagonist of the opera is the people.

In “Chowanschtschina”, Mussorgsky was not concerned with recreating political events and brutal power games in detail. Instead, he sought to depict “the past in the present” in a vast collage of historical documents – a kind of meditation on history through the medium of opera. 

As director, Claus Guth is interested in creating a detailed portrait of the characters in their respective environments. He takes on Mussorgsky's stage work, which remained unfinished but was completed by Stravinsky and Shostakovich.

The performances as part of Berlin Freedom Week will take place on the following dates: November 9 and15 2025.