Boris Godunov - San Francisco Opera

Composition and Design
Be a Composer!
Boris Godunov began life as a play based on history. Almost every stage piece (opera,
musical, play) started as some other story. This story is called the source material. Choose a
novel you have read or a good story or and think about how you would go about adapting it
into an opera
or piece of musical theatre. You would have to choose which parts of the drama
would
be highlighted with which sorts of music. When would there be duets, or trios, or
quartets? Or big soaring arias? How would you set your opening scene? Would you have a
big chorus to set up the place and time or would it begin in a more quiet way? Write out an
outline and try to structure the beginnings of an opera.
Be a Designer!
Boris
Godunov takes place in Russia and Poland in the 16th century The story is tied in to
the setting. However, the story can be adapted to fit the circumstances of other cultures and
time periods. What if the design could be up to you? How would you set this story? What
colors would you use? What sort of performance space? What colors would stand out on the
set, in the costumes and lighting? Which actors or singers would you cast in each role? What
if this were made into a movie? What other choices would be available?
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