From January 2000, when Seattle Opera greeted the new century with Boris Godunov. Russian bass Alexander Anisimov won Artist of the Year for his portrayal of the tormented Tsar. Chris Alexander made his Seattle Opera debut directing the opera; his background translating into German and directing Shakespeare's plays helped make this production powerful and fast-moving. The production teamed Alexander for the first time with with Set Designer Robert Dahlstrom; the team went on to create many memorable productions for the company, including Ariadne auf Naxos and The Tales of Hoffmann, both of which won Alexander an Artist of the Year Award.

This excerpt features the famous ringing of the Kremlin Bells that begins the Coronation Scene. Peter Kazaras, as Prince Shuisky, admonishes the Seattle Opera Chorus to praise the new Tsar: "Slavtye!" George Fiore, who became Seattle Opera's Chorus Master in 1984 (with La forza del destino), stepped down after preparing the chorus for this monumental opera. George Manahan conducted the orchestra of Seattle Opera.