The Teatro alla Scala’s opening night is one of the most important evenings in the opera world. The opening is always held on December 7, which celebrates the feast of Sant’Ambrogio. It is also streamed globally, creating much buzz around the world. For this year’s celebration, the Milan theater has chosen Shostakovich’s masterwork “Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk” with Sara Jakubiak {…}
(Credits: Brescia e Amisano) The Teatro alla Scala is set to broadcast Shostakovich’s “Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk” on Dec. 7, 2025, continuing its tradition of showcasing opening night on Rai1, Raiplay, and Radio3.It will also be available on demand on RayPlay until 15 days after the live. The performance will also broadcast on ARTE in France and the French-speaking countries {…}
(Photo: Alex Damian) This year’s George Enescu International Festival in Bucharest marked the 70th anniversary of the composer’s death, which it commemorated with more than 40 performances of his works. Such is the scope of the festival, which brought together more than 4,000 artists over a four-week period during August and September, that it had the time and space to {…}
(Photo: Ansa Matteo Corner) This Monday, the long-awaited press conference was held to unveil the Teatro alla Scala’s 2025–26 season. The lineup promises to shine with big names, new productions, and ambitious projects. That’s why we’re bringing you a Top five list of the unmissable highlights of the new season! Number 1: A Bold Opening As tradition dictates, the season {…}
(Credit: Gran Teatre del Liceu Website) The Gran Teatre del Liceu has announced a cast change for Shostakovich’s “Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk.” The Barcelona company said, that tenor Ilya Selivanov will the role of Zinovi Ismailov replacing Daniel Kirsch, who has canceled his participation in the production for artistic reasons. Selivanov is a Mariinsky Opera Academy of Young Singers, Prize-winner at the {…}
(Credit: © Steve J. Sherman 2024) It’s been five years since the New York audiences have heard soprano Kristine Opolais. Once a stalwart at the Metropolitan Opera, the soprano has now dedicated herself to performing mostly in Europe and seeking “something special” in the productions or performances she does. And in her return to New York, the soprano found that {…}
Photo: Winslow Townson The first time my partner watched Shostakovich’s “Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk,” he couldn’t believe that the composer ever thought a Stalinist regime would be pleased with the opera. The “in-your-face” power of the work made him—a (handsome) man whose political convictions ponder between socialism and cowboyism—find endearing that ‘Shosta’ could not see his censoring coming. Even today, {…}
Shostakovich’s “Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk” is set to return to the Prague State Opera in a new production. The opera, which opens on Nov. 24 will be directed by Martin Čičvák and conducted by Hermann Bäumer. In a statement, Čičvák noted, “There is nothing worse in theatre than feigning sex…We strive to create a plausible, delicate erotic tension, giving the {…}
The Greek National Opera is set to present a revival of Shostakovich’s “Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk” at the Stavros Niarchos Hall. The production is directed by renowned French actress Fanny Ardant who noted, “Lady Macbeth sets a mirror before us. And in it, we see our own selves. Lady Macbeth is our wild reflection, restless and free. How can the {…}
It’s that time of the year. A time when we can look forward to what’s to come, but also a moment to reflect on all we’ve experienced. And as has become the tradition here at OperaWire, we have asked our writers to select their choices for the opera performances that truly marveled them in 2022. So without further ado, we’ll {…}
Dmitri Shostakovich’s “Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk” is a tragic satire that continues to shed light on the very real and present suffering of the human spirit due to ongoing abuse of power and repression. To say this opera is still relevant, is obvious. However, to take it a step further and realize this opera’s history is a warning, reveals Shostakovich’s {…}