Boris Godunov and the Tricolor Flag

[Michael Marsh-Soloway]

Dear Colleagues,

I have a question that pertains to the Metropolitan Opera's new production
of *Boris Godunov*. In the coronation sequence of the Prologue, a procession
of priests carrying icons, banners, and flags enters from stage left to
announce Boris Godunov's ascension to the throne. The final participant of
the ceremonial movement wields a Russian tricolor flag depicting the emblem
of the golden, two-headed eagle in the foreground. You can view a likeness
of the flag utilized in the performance
here<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_the_Tsar_of_Moscow_1668.jpg>.


Would this flag have even existed in Russia during the time of Boris
Godunov? If not, I'm curious as to whether this detail represents a
purposeful anachronism. That is, by providing a symbol of Russian statehood
more widely recognizable to Western audiences, does the director perhaps
attempt to impart a correspondence between historical and contemporary power
struggles, i.e. in both the imperial and democratic eras? On the other hand,
however, maybe the anachronism occurs accidentally and I'm just reading too
much into this aspect of the performance altogether. What are your opinions?


Thank you.

Sincerely,
Michael

Michael Marsh-Soloway
University of Virginia
Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures
Russian House Language Advisor

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