Dvorak’s ‘Dimitrij’ Achieves Epic Sweep

DVORAK: “Dimitrij.” Drahomira Drobkova, Magdalena Hajossyova, Leo Marian Vodicka, Ivan Kusnjer; Czech Philharmonic Chorus; Prague Radio Chorus; Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Gerd Albrecht. Supraphon 11 1259-2 633 (three CDs). A decade after “Boris Godunov,” Dvorak introduced this grand opera recycling several characters from the Mussorgsky masterpiece, then struggled with it till the year of his death, 1904 (Albrecht’s version includes most of the music written in 1882-85). Marie Cervinkova-Riegrova’s unwieldy libretto focuses on the false pretender and his rise to the Russian throne after the death of Ivan the Terrible. Much of the plot ensnares Dimitri in a love triangle with Marina Mnishek and Godunov’s daughter, Xenia, and it does not end happily. At moments, Dvorak achieves genuine epic sweep with vocal writing of heroic power and stunning choral contributions. If American opera companies ever look beyond “Rusalka,” they might find a worthwhile project in “Dimitrij.” Supraphon’s performance is outsized, a bit raw and very compelling. No English libretto.