The Met Opera presents the seldom performed original version of Modest Mussorgsky’s masterpiece, based upon Alexander Pushkin’s story of Russian Tsar Boris Godunov.

Buy Now

The Met Opera presents the seldom performed original version of Modest Mussorgsky’s masterpiece, based upon Alexander Pushkin’s story of Russian Tsar Boris Godunov.

Alexander Pushkin finished his work in 1825, but it was not published until 40 years later for reasons of censorship. Pushkin did not write a classic novel but 24 scenes, of which Mussorgsky originally used 7 – taking care of the libretto himself, he took many of the passages literally and kept the chosen scenes close to the original. His opera thus belongs to the genre of the classical ‘literary opera’.

Bass René Pape, the world’s reigning Boris, reprises his overwhelming portrayal of the tortured Tsar caught between grasping ambition and crippling paranoia. Conductor Sebastian Weigle leads Mussorgsky’s masterwork, a pillar of the Russian repertoire, in its original 1869 version, which runs two-and-a-quarter hours with no intermission. Stephen Wadsworth’s affecting production poignantly captures the hope and suffering of the Russian people as well as the Tsar himself.

Boris Godunov is sung in Russian with English subtitles.

A screening of the broadcast from the Metropolitan Opera 2021-22 Season in New York.

Please Note: the dates of Metropolitan Opera productions may be subject to change.

Duration 2 hours 40 minutes, no interval.

Click Here to view our Met Opera Season


  • For patrons with mobility difficulties and Companion Card holders please call our Box Office on 07 4122 6060 Monday to Friday 8:30am - 4:00pm to enquire or make your booking.
  • In line with current directions from the Queensland Government from 1 May 2021 all patrons must now use the Check In QLD app when entering the venue. To make entry faster you can download the Check In QLD app and complete your details before your arrival. If you do not have a compatible smart device, our ambassadors will be on hand to check you in.  You can find out more information about the Check in QLD app by clicking here. Note that all members of your party are required to check in with the Check In QLD app event though we recorded your contact details with your booking for this performance. 
  • When attending these events, you are strongly encouraged to wear a mask when you are not sitting in your allocated seat and it is not possible to physically distance. This could include entering or exiting the venue, leaving your seat to go to the bathroom or purchasing food or drinks.
  • Terms and conditions of sale have recently changed, please familiarise yourself with these terms and conditions, available on our website, prior to purchasing your tickets.

Buy Now