Sterfscene uit Moessorgski’s opera Boris Godoenov. (2002. Samuel Ramey as Boris Godunov with Gaële Le Roi as the Tsarevitch Fyodor and Aleksandra Zamojska as Boris’s daughter Xenia. Photo: Eric Mahoudeau)
“Boris had been in poor health since 1602. He probably suffered from dropsy and from heart trouble. It was said that in 1604 he had a stroke which caused him to drag one leg and for some time he did not leave the palace. [Because of his sudden death at age 53] rumours were soon circulating that he had been poisoned or had taken his own life. But he died apparently from natural causes. [On 13 April 1605 he had dinner with some eminent foreigners and members of the court in the Golden Palace.] He was rising from the table when he staggered. Suddenly blood began to gush from his nose, mouth and ears. His doctors who were always in attendance could do nothing to staunch the blood. He was in agony, but managed to give his blessing to his son, Fedor, as his successor on the throne. Then he lost consciousness and, after lingering for some two hours, he died. … The people of Moscow swore allegiance to Tsar Fedor [II] Borisovich without question or disturbances.” (Ian Grey, Boris Godunov. The Tragic Tsar [Londen 1973], p. 173 et seq.)