Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District

Oppressed by an impotent, rich spouse and an authoritarian father-in-law, Katerina Ismailova chooses to embark on a passionate love affair. Because of her hopeless situation, she seeks liberation in the arms of her attractive lover Sergei. When Sergei turns out to be equally cruel and untrustworthy, she gets caught up in a spiral of violence. Katerina’s dream is smashed to pieces.

Shostakovich juxtaposes Katerina’s lyrical vocal lines with an explosive orchestral arrangement, full of shrill colours and hard dissonances. Despite its overwhelming success, the work was officially condemned by the Soviet regime. This spelt the immediate end of Shostakovich’s nascent opera career. The chaos-loving director Calixto Bieito is sure to deliver a radical but intelligent interpretation of Shostakovich’s capital opera. He places Katerina in a solitary cocoon in an amoral, post-apocalyptic world.

Coproduction with Det Kongelige Teater, Copenhagen.

The creators

Team

Dmitri Jurowski

Conductor
Calixto Bieito

Director
Rebecca Ringst

Scenography
Ingo Krügler

Costumes

Cast

John Tomlinson
Ludovit Ludha
Ausrine Stundyte
Ladislav Elgr