Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District review – semi-staged Shostakovich is vivid and claustrophobic

Royal Albert Hall, LondonWith Nicky Spence and Amanda Majeski the striking leads, the nastiness in Shostakovich’s ‘tragic satire’ was disturbing and powerful in an impressive Proms performanceBullying, sexual violence, love-starved relationships, murder and desperate, unending boredom. Never mind trigger warnings: these are the narrative pillars of Shostakovich’s Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District, the opera decried by Stalin as “muddle instead of music”. Stalin’s sudden condemnation was thoroughly political, of course – but British music critics were similarly taken aback after the first UK performance in 1936. “Some of it is clever parody, but much of it is crude,” sniffed the Daily Mail. Almost 90 years later, the opera remains unequivocally grim.Like its UK premiere, this Proms outing was a concert performance in English translation. Without the trappings of a full staging or the linguistic buffer of the original Russian libretto, the nastiness of this tale of a rape that starts an affair that leads to two murders seemed even more inescapable than usual. Ruth Knight’s semi-staging involved minimal paraphernalia – an iron bed, a small table, a wooden witness box – but used lighting to melodramatic effect. Harsh spotlights isolated characters. The digital screens behind the performers switched several times to blinding white, transforming the Chorus of English National Opera Chorus into a mob in silhouette. The entire stage was bathed periodically in red. Continue reading...

Comments

Culture

Fans spot blasphemous Easter egg in highly-anticipated 28 Years Later sequel

Metro

Comments

Similar News

A five-star Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk at the BBC Proms

Kim Novak’s Vertigo review – the dizzying demands on Hitchcock’s leading lady

At Lady Gaga’s Mayhem Ball, a Pop Star Is Reborn

Sinéad O’Connor biopic in the works from company behind Lady Macbeth

Sandra Bullock says she was told she couldn’t ‘like’ Jennifer Aniston: ‘No one wanted the ladies to be friends’

Wednesday fans baffled by Lady Gaga’s season 2 role as they beg for answers

Wednesday: here's who’s joining the cast for season two, from Joanna Lumley to Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars and Kendrick Lamar lead MTV VMA nominations

Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars lead VMA nominations

Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars and Kendrick Lamar lead MTV VMA nominations

Lady Gaga leads nominations for this year’s MTV Video Music Awards

Culture

Fans spot blasphemous Easter egg in highly-anticipated 28 Years Later sequel

Great British Bake Off fans criticise ‘harsh’ twist as first baker eliminated

Netflix is about to remove a large number of films and TV shows

South Park teases new attack on Trump in next episode

Channel 4 announces ‘ambitious social experiment’ with new survival show

Jack Osbourne slams ‘pathetic’ Roger Waters for disparaging Ozzy remarks

Sting faces £1.5m lawsuit from former The Police bandmates over royalties

New on Netflix in September, including cult series return after three years

The 31 most mind-blowing movie twists of all time, explained

20 directors who ended up hating their own movies, from Joss Whedon to David Fincher

Pop band Only the Poets announce Brixton Academy show with £1 tickets

I hate to admit Jenna Ortega is lost in latest Wednesday season 2 episodes

Graham Linehan arrest: Govt 'needs to look at whether police getting balance right', says Wes Streeting

Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman movie in hot water over ‘dangerous’ EpiPen scene

Stephen King made one ‘brutal’ demand for violent new film adaptation

Colman Domingo says Paris Jackson’s guidance was ‘very helpful’ on biopic about her father

Emily Blunt says Devil Wears Prada 2 has been a ‘rude awakening’

Jaws child star shares impressive amount he still earns from movie 50 years on

Bruce Springsteen says new film Deliver Me from Nowhere is ‘anti-biopic’

‘Cult classic’ 90s horror movie quietly added to Amazon Prime Video

SNL’s Bowen Yang says he and Shane Gillis have ‘mutual respect’ despite being ‘used’ against each other in the media

SNL shake-up: Five new cast members announced after star’s shock exit

Gorillaz bring out De La Soul while playing Plastic Beach in full

Cardi B cleared of assaulting security guard

Matthew Perry and the Hollywood drug network exposed by his death

Jury clears Cardi B of assault on security guard in Los Angeles

Seven claims made in new royal book from Brexit to Coronation

US filmmaker in legal battle over 'Downton Shabby'

Cardi B Is Found Not Liable for Assault in Civil Trial

‘Captivating’ A House of Dynamite had me on the edge of my seat

The Great British Bake Off is more insipid than ever

Sabrina Carpenter’s “Man’s Best Friend,” Reviewed

Radiohead flyers in multiple cities seemingly tease band’s first concerts since 2018

The Great British Bake Off review – What an emotional rollercoaster

Channing Tatum reveals he suffered major injury on Avengers: Doomsday set

Lewis Capaldi calls out celebrities who ‘lied’ about checking in on him during music break

First Bake Off star eliminated from 2025 series after ‘worst cake ever seen’

Will the Real Sabrina Carpenter Please Stand Up?

SNL shake-up: Five new cast members announced after star’s shock exit

Miley Cyrus says mother advised her to be with ‘wrong guy’ because they were hot

Charli XCX, Kneecap and Sally Rooney up for Sky Arts awards

Oscar-nominated actor Graham Greene, of 'Dances With Wolves,' dies at 73

'We have to speak, we have to shout': Jane Fonda is still an activist at 87

Stephen Colbert Returns for First ‘Late Show’ of Its Last Season

Heidi Gardner and More ‘SNL’ Cast Members Exit Show Ahead of Season 51

The Fall’s Most Anticipated Albums: 10 Picks

At Venice, ‘A House of Dynamite’ Is Scarier Than Most Horror Films

Kelley Wolf banned from contacting her children and ordered to stay 300 feet away from ex Scott Wolf in new ruling

Call of Duty movie in the works with potential to expand universe across TV and film

A House of Dynamite, Venice review – The most entertaining movie about mass destruction since Dr Strangelove

Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman movie in hot water over ‘dangerous’ EpiPen scene

Succession star Nicholas Braun arrested for DUI

SNL’s Bowen Yang says he and Shane Gillis have ‘mutual respect’ despite being ‘used’ against each other in the media

Sci-fi horror classic Babou Cesay on Alien: Earth's genius standalone episode

French actor Gerard Depardieu to face trial over alleged rape and sexual assault of fellow actor

Sting sued by ex-Police bandmates over royalties

Vogue promotes Chloe Malle to top editor spot

New books this week track John Williams' life, future pandemics and NASA fiction

Idris Elba reveals why he won’t be going into politics

The truth behind those absolutely crazy 20-minute film festival ovations