Tune in on Saturday, June 20 at 1 p.m. to hear Teatro alla Scala’s production of one of Dmitri Shostakovich’s two major operas, Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District. After viewing a 1936 staging of this opera, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin denounced Shostakovich as an agitator. Shostakovich, who at that point had been enjoying a successful career, faced intense criticism from the Soviet press for transgressive themes present in Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk. WRTI will carry a broadcast of this infamous opera as a part of the WFMT Opera Series.
Based on Nikolai Leskov’s novella of the same name, Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District follows the story of Katerina, a downtrodden merchant’s wife trapped in a loveless marriage with an impotent husband, Zinovy, and lorded over by her tyrannical father-in-law, Boris. After Katerina meets a new lover, Sergey, the two kill Zinovy and Boris, attempting a cover-up.
This production will feature soprano Sara Jakubiak as Katerina, tenor Yevgeny Akimov as her husband, Zinovy, and bass Alexander Roslavets as her father-in-law, Boris. Tenor Najmiddin Mavlyanov is Katerina’s lover, Sergey. Riccardo Chailly conducts the La Scala Orchestra & Chorus.
Cast:
Sara Jakubiak as Katerina
Yevgeny Akimov as Zinovy
Alexander Roslavets as Boris
Tenor Najmiddin Mavlyanov as Sergey
Conducted by Riccardo Chailly