Shostakovich: Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk 17 years old

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.

Credits

Shostakovich: Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk Cast

Name Character
Alexandre Kravets as Peasant
Christopher Ventris He was 46, now 63 years old as Sergei
Valentin Jar He was 53, now 70 years old as Teacher
Ludovít Ludha as Zinovy Ismailov
Eva-Maria Westbroek She was 36, now 54 years old as Katerina Ismailova
Alexander Vassiliev He was 44, now 61 years old as Priest
Vladimir Vaneev He was 45, now 62 years old as Boris Ismailov
Lani Poulson as Sonyetka
Carole Wilson She was 7, now 24 years old as Aksinya
Nikita Storojev as Chief of Police

Shostakovich: Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk Crew

Name Department
Thomas Grimm as Director. He was 53 (now 70) years old Directing
Mariss Jansons as Music Director. He was 64 (76) years old when He died Sound
Dmitri Shostakovich as Original Music Composer. He was 100 (68) years old when He died Sound
Dmitri Shostakovich as Writer. He was 100 (68) years old when He died Writing
Martin Kušej as Director of Photography. He was 45 (now 62) years old Camera
Martin Zehetgruber as Set Designer. He was 46 (now 63) years old Art
Reinhard Traub as Lighting Supervisor. He was 7 (now 24) years old Lighting
Shostakovich: Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk poster
Shostakovich: Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk (17 years)

  • Release day: Tuesday, January 30, 2007
  • Runtime: 165 minutes