Ruslan and Lyudmila, the fable of Mikhail Glinka (from a poem by Pushkin), and a symbolic Russian opera in itself, was an apposite choice to open the 2011-2012 season of the majestic Moscow opera, after its long renovation.

Director Dmitri Tcherniakov transposes Glinka’s opera into the 21st century, exposing the protagonists to contemporary forms of temptations: a ‘harem for Ruslan, and a Thai massage for Lyudmila…

Vladimir Jurowski conducts the Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra and magnificent soloists Albina Shagimuratova, Mikhail Petrenko, Alexandrina Pendatchanska, Charles Workman and Elena Zaremba, in this production acclaimed for its musical quality and its staging.

Cast:
- Lyudmila: Albina Shagimuratova
- Ruslan: Mikhail Petrenko
- Ratmir: Yuri Minenko
- Farlaf: Almas Svilpa
- Gorislava: Alexandrina Pendatchanska
- Finn / Bayan: Charles Workman
- Naina: Elena Zaremba
- Svetosar: Vladimir Ognovenko
- The Head: Alexandre Polkovnikov

Stage direction & scenography: Dmitri Tcherniakov
Costume design Elena Zaytseva
Lighting design: Gleb Filshtinsky
Chorus master: Valery Borisov

HD recording: Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow, November 2011
Produced by François Duplat
Directed for TV & video by Andy Sommer

Bonus: Interview with Dmitri Tcherniakov