GREAT RECORDINGS phase 18

BORIS CHRISTOFF

Russian Opera Arias and Songs

Mussorgsky
Borodin
Rimsky-Korsakov
Tchaikovsky

3 92054 2

Mono
ADD

Recorded 1949–1952
79 minutes

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"If we had no more of Christoff than these “early” recordings (newly potent in their sharply etched transfers), he would still have an assured place among the most distinguished singers of the century."
(The Gramophone)

These recordings were made in London in 1949–52. Most notably, they capture the great Russian bass in his greatest role, Boris Godunov, just six months before his Covent Garden début in Mussorgsky’s opera.

Doyen of vocal authorities John Steane recalls hearing Christoff at Covent Garden and details much fascinating background, particularly as regards the way the bass assumed the mantle of Chaliapin.

This new state-of-the art remastering from the early tape originals improves greatly on this compilation’s previous appearance on Références.