Shostakovich, Dimitri

The main complaint about this production is that there is not more of it. Part of Shostakovich's opera is left out, but what remains has a coherent dramatic impact, intensified by a heavy serving of graphically explicit, precisely choreographed sex and violence. This is a hybrid, like Petr Weigl's film of Donizetti's Maria Stuarda, but more smoothly executed. It does not shift between spoken German and sung Italian like that curious, intriguing production, but Weigl has again taken an outstanding opera recording, cut it down, and used it as the soundtrack for a film, with Czech performers providing the visual dimension. It works more smoothly here than it did in Maria Stuarda. The musical and theatrical performances are both extraordinary. The lip synchronization to the Russian text is not always precise, but the physical gestures coordinate with and visually reinforce the musical effects. The scenery, costumes, and atmosphere are realistic and convincing, and they add a compelling dimension to the experience.

Musically, this Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk is not likely to be surpassed in the foreseeable future. It is not true, as the back cover says, that Shostakovich wrote the title role for Galina Vishnevskaya; she was not quite 10 years old when it was written. But she and conductor Mstislav Rostropovich became close friends of Shostakovich, and their recording, with a carefully picked cast, is a basic document on how this opera should sound. With the enormous capacity of DVD, it should have been possible to include the whole sound recording on a separate track. But what has been included is powerful. --Joe McLellan

This opera in four acts by Dmitri Shostakovich is based on an original story by Nikolai S. Leskov written in 1865. The action takes place in Mtsensk immediately before the Revolution in October 1917. The Ismailov family are rich landowners and the household consists of Boris, who rules the house in a typically patriarchal manner, his weak son Zinovy, and Zinovy's wife Katerina. When Zinovy is away on business, Katherine starts an intense affair with the new farm hand Sergei which threatens their entire way of life in this powerful, passionate opera. This filmed opera by director Petr Weigl features the vocals of famed Russian soprano Galina Vishnevskaya as Katerina, a role written by Shostakovich expressly for her, and music conducted by her husband, Mstislav Rostropovich.

Dmitri Shostakovich composed this opera, based on a story by Nikolai S. Leskov. Shortly before the October Revolution of 1917, the Izmailov family is thrown into turmoil when Katerina, the wife of the patriarch's weakling son Zinovy, takes a lover, the strapping farmhand Sergei. This screen adaptation is directed by Petr Weigl, with the score performed by The London Philharmonic Orchestra and The Ambrosian Opera Chorus. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

• Side #1 --
  • Program Start

Side #1 --
0. Chapter Index
1. Program Start; Rise And Shine [5:33]
2. Father-In-Law [3:00]
3. The Master Leaves [6:35]
4. The Bathhouse [11:33]
5. Bedtime [6:54]
6. A Knock At The Door [8:06]
7. Caught [6:20]
8. "These Mushrooms Are Good" [6:00]
9. Sergei [6:07]
10. "Carry Him To The Cellar" [3:13]
11. At The Reception [3:52]
12. The Police [2:34]
13. Visitation [9:05]
14. Betrayal [12:28]
15. Revenge [6:18]
16. End Credits [2:08]

Based on a story written by renowned Russian writer Kikolai Leskov in 1865, Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk is the tale of Katerina Ismailova, who is trapped in a loveless marriage. The action takes place in Mtsensk immediately before the Russian Revolution in October 1917. The Ismailovs are rich landowners, and the household consists of Boris, who rules the house in a typically patriarchal manner, his weak son, Zinovy, and Katerina. In the tradition of Anna Karenina and Madame Bovary, Katerina's fatalistic pursuit of passion has disastrous effects.

Legendary Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich wrote the lead role of Katerina for famed Russian vocalist Galina Vishnevskaya, whose amazing soprano can be heard in this filmed version. Her husband, Mstislav Rostropovich, conducts. International opera performer Nicolai Gedda provides the voice of Katerina's lover, Sergei. Opera aficionados may recognize the voices of Aage Haugland and Robert Tear in minor roles.

A film by Petr Weigl with Markita Hrubeyova as Katerina with the voice of Galina Veshnevskaya, Michal Dlouhy as Sergei with the voice of Nicolai Gedda, Petr Hanicinec as Boris with the voice of Dimiter Petkov, and Vaclav Necka as Zinovy with the voice of Werner Krenn.