Premiering in 1874, the Russian opera Borys Godunov touches on themes still relevant today. Composed by Modest Mussorgsky and considered to be his masterpiece, the subject is of Tsar Boris Godunov who reigned during the end of the 16th century. The opera is a historical drama describing the mechanisms of power in the 16th and 17th centuries. The themes visited, such as a ruled people and the actions of power are still a topic that relates to the modern day.