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Shostakovich: Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk

Shostakovich's Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, a lurid tale of sex, murder, and corruption, premiered in 1934 and was a success until Stalin saw it two years later, resulting in a Pravda review that viciously condemned it. It was later replaced by an expurgated version, now called Katerina Ismailova after the work's principal character. The original version has now reclaimed its place on international stages. The heroine is the daughter-in-law of Boris, a greedy, lecherous merchant, and the frustrated wife of his impotent son. Katerina poisons Boris and when her husband returns she and her lover, Sergei, kill him too, burying him in the cellar. The body is discovered during their wedding party. Haunted by guilt, Katerina confesses and the newlyweds are consigned to Siberia. When Sergei takes up with another woman, Katerina pushes her into the river and then jumps in herself.

Top Cast

  • Eva-Maria Westbroek

    Eva-Maria Westbroek

    Katerina Ismailova

  • Christopher Ventris

    Christopher Ventris

    Sergei

  • Vladimir Vaneev

    Vladimir Vaneev

    Boris Ismailov

  • Ľudovít Ludha

    Ľudovít Ludha

    Zinovy Ismailov

  • Carole Wilson

    Carole Wilson

    Aksinya

  • Alexandre Kravets

    Alexandre Kravets

    Peasant

  • Nikita Storojev

    Nikita Storojev

    Chief of Police

  • Alexander Vassiliev

    Alexander Vassiliev

    Priest

  • Valentin Jar

    Valentin Jar

    Teacher

Overview

Shostakovich's Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, a lurid tale of sex, murder, and corruption, premiered in 1934 and was a success until Stalin saw it two years later, resulting in a Pravda review that viciously condemned it. It was later replaced by an expurgated version, now called Katerina Ismailova after the work's principal character. The original version has now reclaimed its place on international stages. The heroine is the daughter-in-law of Boris, a greedy, lecherous merchant, and the frustrated wife of his impotent son. Katerina poisons Boris and when her husband returns she and her lover, Sergei, kill him too, burying him in the cellar. The body is discovered during their wedding party. Haunted by guilt, Katerina confesses and the newlyweds are consigned to Siberia. When Sergei takes up with another woman, Katerina pushes her into the river and then jumps in herself.

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