Dark mysteries of Rasputin take centre stage

30 September, 2008, 08:37

Some people hated him, while others were jealous. Many were scared of his wild nature. An opera about Grigory Rasputin's life by American composer Jay Reise has been staged at Moscow's Gelikon theatre.

It's still unclear how a peasant from a Siberian village could become one of the most powerful figures in Russia. The self-proclaimed holy man had hypnotic power over the Romanov family.

The subject of rumour and controversy, Grigory Rasputin still remains one of the most enigmatic figures of the 20th century. No wonder the mystery of his personality has attracted one of Russia's most gifted opera directors, Dmitry Bertman, who says he's been waiting 14 years to stage it.

“It's a coincidence that the premiere of Rasputin took place when our relations with America have soured. It’s an example of when art serves as a bridge between countries,” said Bergman.

The production may be said to be influenced both by Grand Opera and the Bob Fosse directed film ‘Cabaret’.

Rasputin's charisma opened many doors for him. After he’d won the praise of the royal family, his quest for power turned him into a threat to the monarchy and the country.

After many attempts on his life, Rasputin’s murder, during which he was poisoned, shot and stabbed before being thrown – still alive – into the icy waters of the Neva river added the to the man’s almost mythical quality.