PETER TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1894): The Voyevoda.

Description: Tchaikovsky's first opera (1869) was not a success and only five performances took place. The composer later cannibalized it for later works, the best of it going into Oprichnik and some into Swan Lake. Two versions were reconstructed in the Soviet era, one in 1927 and one in 1953; one assumes that this recording is of the latter, which was worked on by composers Vissarion Shebalin and Yuri Kochurov and musicologist Pavel Lamm (the two pages of large-type notes are silent on this matter). Five original acts are now cut down to three and this version was also "Sovietized" (the original ended with a lavish, grovelling hymn to the Tsar). But since there is no libretto, you won't have to worry about such trivialities as what's going on here. Plenty of attractive music with some folk elements prominent here and there and no other available recording. Given my history with this supplier, when I run out, it's likely to be months before I can get more. 2 CDs. No libretto. Vladimir Matorin (bass), Galina Kuznetsova (soprano), Anatoly Mishchevsky (tenor), Academic Large Choir of the Central TV and All-Union Radio, USSR Ministry of Culture Symphony Orchestra;  Vladimir Kozhukar.