Oprichnik (The Guardsman) is an early, rarely performed opera by Tchaikovsky. Written in the early 1870s, it was premiered at the Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg on 24 April 1874.

The opera is a romantic tragedy set in 16th-century Moscow during the reign of Tsar Ivan the Terrible and his feared bodyguards, the oprichniks.

Despite the composer’s own reservations, the first production of Oprichnik in St Petersburg was a significant triumph. This is an excellent opportunity to hear this exciting work by one of the world’s greatest composers, conducted by James Ham.

Sung in Russian with English surtitles.

5.45pm: Pre-concert talk (free to ticket holders)