Operas are often dismissed these days as old-fashioned and irrelevant, but in reality many of them show how the news agenda of the day affected all levels of society. Huw Edwards uncovers the real-life history behind the scenes of six favourite operas.
3: Boris Godunov. Musorgsky's opera was written in the 19th century, but its real-life story and vivid portrayal of the Russian people have made it a timeless drama of the whole Russian experience. Producer Martin Smith (R)