SPLENDID singing, the hallmark of BEL CANTO, Chiaroscuro, brilliance and spontaneity throughout an extensive range. WHERE is this heard today? ABSOLUTELY NON-EXISTENT.
It's about time :=) Mark Reizen lived 1895-1992. One of the celebrated basses of the Bolshoi. Also a great performer of songs, some examples on these pages. The beautiful velvety voice, in the service of a highly intelligent artist. To many, one of the greatest of the century.
Интересно, что думал и чувствовал Сталин, когда он слушал Бориса Годунова? Ведь вся опера о трагедии и ответственности власти.. . Рейзен, конечно мастер! Сейчас так и не играют, и не поют. Как угодно зовите, хоть соц реализм, но мурашки по телу от его пения.
I do not know better Boris. It is a profound and moving performance and I moved by it when ever I hear it. It is a great opera. You should hear his Pimyen
Гениальное исполнение. Так точно переданы душевные мучения жестокого человека. Он совсем другой дома- любящий и нежный, хороший отец. Неподражаемо, прекрасно исполнил. Когда пел о дочери, он мне даже напомнил моего папу.
In his memoirs and interview, Mark Osipovich compares Boris Godunov with the Shakespeare of music. His interpretation is deeply felt but remains musical throughout, expressing all the feelings while avoiding excesses.
A precious rarity with one moment as hypnotic as the next. Not just an artistic experience, but one so involving as to be real life...complex and deeply human. Thank you for this timeless treasure!!!
Indeed this is the "other" great Boris of the century. Sad that in 1952, on visiting London, he became ill and could not perform in Boris planned at Covent Garden. He remarked sadly that he had so wished to show the Londoners "my Boris". In the interview after his 90th jubilee performance, Mark Reizen expressed his understanding that in his view, Mussorgsky is the Shakespeare of music.
Treasure between jewels!!!Thanks,Monsieur...ou madame ...Vhan,for to give us this magnificent exponent of the supreme Art1 he was,with chaliapine,one of the best actor-singers of all time! Ankhsnammon
Like Wotan's monologue - a glimpse into the soul of a great, tragic figure. Can only be pulled off by the most elevated artists, and here is one who is at the pinnacle of art - a master, a genius. Again, thank you.
@vhan2007 Well said. The greatest singers in the world including this man, used their voices to do the acting. Every word he utters paints a picture. Tks for posting.
The beuaty of RU-vid - I had never heard of this singer - wow - what a find - this is singing of the highest order - great vocalization with impassioned interpretation of the text (even thought I don't know exactly what he is saying). If he is still alive - BRAVO Mr. Reisen!
What I like most about this performance is that Reizen gives an air of intelligence and thoughtfulness to Boris. Too often, I see bassos that portray him as just wildly superstitious and rather brutish. That's not at all how I see the character--historically, Boris was quite clever and intellectual.
You are quite right. As has been said about his Boris, it is of great depth of characterisation, while at the same time stubbornly singing all the notes of the role!
Without doubt the greatest bass I've ever heard. That deep " black" sound yet such beauty of tone perfect for the great Russian roles but I'd love to hear his Phillip of Spain! His greatest performance? It must be the Viking Guest the final climax being terrifying. John Loveridge
Yes, and quite well too: On record: Vespri Siciliani - O tu Palermo Simon Boccanegra - Il Lacerato spirito The above two were recorded in both Russian and in Italian Don Carlo - Ella Giamai m'amo Other Western operas: Barber of Seville - complete, also Basilio's aria in italian. He was a celebrated Basilio on stage. Faust - complete - one of the most exciting Mephistopheles on record. Also recorded a resounding Wotans Abschied fro Die Walkure
I do not worry much about versions, as long as I like the singing. Reizen did sing the "Musorgsky" version of Godunov in the1928 production in Leningrad, (Mariinsky-Kirov) and he knew a lot about the versions. He was part of the commitee at the Bolshoi in 1946, when a new production of Boris was considered and the controversy was : "What version".
Mark Stepanovich Reshetin, bass, born 1931 was a soloist of the Bolshoi Opera 1956 to 1977. He had the title People's artist of the Russiam Republic in 1972. Very good singer!
He does not. These fragments were filmed with Reizen and Khanaev, reconstructing their stage roles later for a TV program in 1971. They were recovered from the TV-Radio archives and form part of a DVD published by the Aquarius company in Moscow. Recall that in 1953 the complete film by Vera Stroyeva was with Pirogov not Reizen. She later in 1959 brought Reizen as Dosifey in Khovanshchina film.
Great! My grandfather introduced me to Reizen when he played some old LP of his. This monologue was on it among the others. Too bad there is such a mess surounding Mussorgsky score&Rimsky-Korsakov alterations, I almost got headache just by trying to found out how much the opera today is original score from Mussorgsky and just how much was it edited.Bah,I guess I'll have to read more about it if I would like to have any idea what really happened...Well at least I can listen without much ponder
In other words, not just a great singing actor but also a true musician. By the way did he sing in the premiere of Shostakovitch's 14th Symphony with Vishnevskaya? I know he recorded it with her
On first sight you have a point. But then on second thought here is a man basically .....thinking. .Deep in thought. So should he throw himself all over the stage, or perhaps more intelligent to do what a man alone and deep in thoughts really does. Which is mostly nothing. That is why great acting should not be confused with activity just to be active. Thanks for your coment.
I've now found the name Mark Reshetin as the bass who sang with Vishnevskaya in this work, perhaps a different spelling of the name? or another singer.... any idea?
The camera work in this video identifies the man and the singer is the man and that is great acting. I am sorry it is not to your taste but great acting in film is not about gesture but about nuances of expression in voice and face and that is here.
