Intense destructive passions

The Queen of Spades seems to tell us a lot about the Russian soul with its dark intensity and destructive passions. This production dates from 1992 with a youthful and disconcertingly hirsute Gergiev conducting the Kirov. I guess the sound must have been remastered or something as it?s not that clear in places. However the traditional staging is what the Kirov does best and looks marvellous. Both the main leads are very effective in their roles and Olga Borodina is gorgeous ? what a sexy voice. The score is very interesting with Tchaikovsky in places writing some Mozart pastiche, I suppose to conjure a late 18th century feel. There is a moment of unintentional humour ? towards the end; Liza, on the banks of a canal (into which in despair she later throws herself), awaits Herman in a state of turmoil and anguish. Incongruously, the theme here is ?Do you know the Muffin Man?? albeit in a minor key. Tchaikovsky couldn?t have known of course, but it is a truly bizarre conjunction!