The article examines the problem of interpreting the gusli in contemporary musicology as a phenomenon that extends beyond the boundaries of traditional organology. The instrument is analyzed not only as an acoustic system but also as a bearer of cultural memory, syncretically combining word, sound, vocals, and performance action, thereby forming a unique cultural code of national consciousness. Special attention is paid to modern stage practice, exemplified by the ethno-performance “The Tale of Igor's Campaign” (Moscow, 2026), which demonstrates the actualization of an ancient sound archetype in the context of 21st-century theatre, where the entire performance is sung with authentic voices in the Old Russian language. The article shows that the integration of the traditional acoustics of the gusli with electronic means, lighting technologies, and elements of artificial intelligence creates a new model of artistic synthesis. The work on the contemporary staging of “The Tale of Igor's Campaign” required the collaboration of specialists with diverse competencies in the humanities and technical fields of scientific knowledge. The article analyzes the constructive modifications of the instrument and the developed technical solutions aimed at expanding its dynamic and sound frequency range, ensuring the historical timbre meets modern stage requirements. The authors present to the reader a two-year period of work on the adaptation of this literary monument of the Old Russian epic, not only from the perspective of mass art-media technologies but also from the viewpoint of restoring the image of the Russian folk musical instrument and its repertoire within musical culture.