Opera in 4 Acts
Music Text Libretto by Aleksandr Preis and the composer, based on a short story by Nikolai Leskov.
Scoring3S,A,9T,2Bar,highB,8B-chorus
3(II=picc,III=picc,afl).3(III=corA).4(IV=Ebcl).3(III=dbn)-4.3.3.1-timp.perc:tgl/wdbl/tamb/SD/BD/cym/tam-t/glsp/xyl-cel-2hp-strings
stage band; 4crt.2tpt.6hn(2S,2A,2bar).2tuba
This work is represented by Boosey & Hawkes in the UK, British Commonwealth (excluding Canada), Republic of Ireland, mainland China, Korea and Taiwan
For full details on this stagework, including synopsis and roles, please visit our
Opera section.
World Premiere1/8/1963
Stanislavsky & Nemirovich-Danchenko Theatre, Moscow
Lev Mikhailov, director / Gennadi Provitorov
Repertoire Note ‘Katerina Ismailova’ is the alternative name of Shostakovich’s opera
Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District op.29. As op.114, the work is a revision of the original opera, with two new entr’actes, a major revision to Act 1 Scene 3, and smaller changes elsewhere. In his lifetime, Shostakovich gave it out that he preferred the piece to be performed in this later revision. Nowadays it is usually played in the original version (op.29) which itself poses problems of alternative readings as the composer was already busy revising the piece at the time of its first performances in the 1930s.
Note by Gerard McBurney
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