Bolshoi Theatre revives Arrigo Boito’s Mefistofele after 120 years

The Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow is staging a production of Arrigo Boito’s opera ‘Mefistofele’ for the first time in nearly 120 years. The work, which explores the legend of Faust selling his soul to a demon, was last performed at the venue in 1909.

Directed by Giancarlo del Monaco and conducted by Valery Gergiev, the production features Russian bass Ildar Abdrazakov in the title role. Abdrazakov described the piece as ‘one of the greatest ever written for my voice type’.

Originally premiered in Milan in 1868, the opera faced initial criticism due to its experimental style and extreme length, which originally exceeded five hours. Since then, it has gained recognition as a masterpiece and remains the only fully completed opera by Boito.