Alexander Borodin wrote his – in the literal meaning – popular opera throughout decades without managing to complete it in his lifetime. Prince Igor after all remained his one and only work for the stage. The engagement of colleague composers after Borodin’s death finally accomplished the performance.

The Vienna Volksoper recollects its actual commitment of repertory and undergoes the Sisyphus-challenge to present the most voluminous and ambitious opera in German translation. Every theatre which meets such challenge needs to compile a performable version out of the unmanageable music material. This can for sure be expected from super-professional Alfred Eschwé.

With the premiere of Borodin’s opera Eschwé also celebrates an individual jubilee: Slightly more than 25 years ago he conducted his first opera-premiere at this house with even Russian repertory too: Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin in the staging of Harry Kupfer.

Borodin’s Prince Igor, staged by Thomas Schulte-Michels, will be performed at the Volksoper until end of April. Alfred Eschwé has the lead of the opening night on March 19th and the performances on March 22nd as well as April 4th, 10th, 13th, 18th, 20th and 24th. You can find the popular Polovtsian Dances from this opera under Alfred Eschwé‘s baton among his audio-clips on our webpage.