Heroic, moving, and deeply human, The Story of a Real Man at the Bolshoi Theatre is a powerful tribute to resilience, courage, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

Libretto by Sergei Prokofiev and Mira Mendelson-Prokofieva based on the novel of the same name by Boris Polevoy

Music Director and Conductor: Valery Gergiev
Stage Director: Sergei Novikov
Set Designer: Rostislav Protasov
Lighting Designer: Ruslan Mayorov
Video Designer: Dmitry Ivanchenko
Choreographer: Yuliana Malkhasyants
Chief Chorus Master: Valery Borisov

Sergei Prokofiev’s powerful opera The Story of a Real Man returns to the historic stage of the Bolshoi Theatre, bringing to life one of the most dramatic and emotionally charged works of 20th-century Russian opera. Based on the celebrated novel by Boris Polevoy, the opera tells the true story of Soviet pilot Alexei Maresyev — a man who overcame devastating physical hardship and returned to the skies through extraordinary courage and determination.

Composed during the final years of Prokofiev’s life, the opera combines monumental orchestral writing with deeply human emotional expression. Heroism here is portrayed not as abstraction, but as an intensely personal struggle of will, dignity, and inner strength. Prokofiev’s score moves between lyrical introspection, military drama, and moments of profound emotional tension, creating a work of exceptional theatrical power.

At the Bolshoi Theatre, the opera gains additional scale and intensity. The theatre’s grand stage, rich vocal tradition, and dramatic production values allow the story to unfold with cinematic breadth while preserving the emotional intimacy at its core. Large choral scenes, expressive orchestral passages, and psychologically complex characters create an immersive operatic experience.

Long associated with the great traditions of Russian music theatre, the Bolshoi provides a particularly meaningful setting for this landmark Soviet opera, where historical memory and artistic expression intersect with remarkable force.