(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 {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced a cast change for its opening night of “Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk.” The company said that Irina Rindzuner would sing the role of the Convict making her Met debut. She will replace Marcy Stonikas. Rindzuner is an American dramatic soprano who is well-known for her interpretation of “Turandot” which she has sung 84 times in {…}
(Credits: Fabien Monthubert / Opera Online / Opéra National de Paris official website / Opéra National de Paris official website) The Opéra National de Paris will stream Jean-Philippe Rameau and Louis Fuzelier’s opera “Les Indes Galantes,” and Dmitri Shostakovich and Alexander Preis’ “Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk” on MEZZO TV. “Les Indes Galantes” stars Sabine Devieilhe in the roles of Hébé {…}
(Credit: Sven Helge Czichy) The Hessisches Staatstheater Wiesbaden has announced the cancellation of Dmitri Shostakovich’s opera “Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk” on Oct. 10, 2020 due to the confirmed COVID-19 cases in the technical department of the theater. Per an official statement on the opera house’s website, two of the employees of the technical department were tested independently of each other {…}