Shostakovich: Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk album review
Performing Shostakovich has been one of Andris Nelsons' calling cards during his first decade as music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. What began as a project to survey all of the symphonies, with recordings of them subsequently released by Deutsche Grammophon, was extended to include all the concertos, and ended in spectacular fashion in January last year with concert performances of Shostakovich's most ambitious and controversial stage work, the 1934 opera, Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk.
Surprisingly for a work of such notoriety and historical significance, this is just the fourth recording of Lady Macbeth (there's also one available version of Katerina Izmailova, the revision of the score that Shostakovich produced in 1962 in an attempt to rehabilitate it with the Soviet authorities after its official condemnation in 1936). But unfortunately this new version, taken from one of the Boston performances, does not seriously challenge the existing choices.
Oddly, each of the three previous commercial recordings, conducted by Mstislav Rostropovich, Myung-whun Chung and Ingo Metzmacher respectively, all take exactly the same time over the complete opera: 155 minutes. Here, Nelsons takes a whole 20 minutes longer. Though few passages seem to drag unduly, the difference in timings does confirm a lassitude in his performance; despite some of the individual contributions, there's a flatness to the proceedings, a lack of urgency, that undermines their dramatic impact.
And, even though there's no shortage of loud, brash playing, Nelsons and the BSO tend to neuter a score that includes some of Shostakovich's most savagely ironic and parodic invention, a radical extreme from which he was forced to retreat. Hearing this account of the score, it's sometimes hard to understand why it should have offended Stalin so much. And while Kristine Opolais has her moments in the title role, her characterisation of Katerina is rather one-dimensional, doing a good line in the character's self-pity but little else. Brendan Gunnell is plausible enough as her lover Sergey, Peter Hoare suitably complaisant as her husband, Zinovy, with Günther Groissböck completing the menage à quatre as her bullying father-in-law Boris.
All in all it's a disappointing ending to the Boston Shostakovich series.
This article includes content hosted on embed.music.apple.com. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as the provider may be using cookies and other technologies. To view this content, click 'Allow and continue'.
Listen on Apple Music (above) or Spotify
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
From ‘Mean Girl' Trump to Musk leading a Russian coup – internet's best reactions to the explosive Don v Elon clash
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ELON Musk sent the internet into a crazy spiral on Thursday as he publicly lashed out at former friend Donald Trump on X. The US president was quick to hit back at the Tesla boss with several bitter barbs of his own as their feud suddenly reignited in front of the world. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 15 Elon Musk sent the internet into a crazy spiral on Thursday as he publicly lashed out at former friend Donald Trump on X Credit: AFP 15 Social media exploded as Trump and Musk publicly went at each other online Credit: X 15 Some described it as 'the MAGA powers exploding' in a clever call back to one of the most iconic wrestling feuds between Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage Credit: X The internet had been eagerly watching the nuclear dispute as it unfolded after hours of outlandish Jefferey Epstein claims and brutal impeachment barbs by Musk. Trump hit back on Truth Social saying Elon was "wearing thin" around the White House. He later warned the US government could end all federal contracts with Musk's companies if the insults continued to fly. Here are social media's best reactions to the intense clash between the two mega powers. Mean girl Trump Famous 2004 film Mean Girls has managed to create a long lasting legacy online with the Trump/Musk feud now even being linked to the movie. The picture shared online is taken from the perspective of Musk who is looking at the iconic "Burn Book" from the film. 15 Trump's face has been added to the page in place of Mean Girl's villain Regina George Credit: X Trump's face has been added to the page in place of Mean Girl's villain Regina George. The text above the image is the exact same as in the movie which says: "This girl is the nastiest skank b***h I've ever met. Do NOT TRUST HER. She is a fugly s***!" Trump's Stalinist purge One of the quickest memes to emerge from the explosive fallout was an expertly AI generated image of a steely-faced Trump dressed as Soviet tyrant Joseph Stalin. A smiley Musk was stood next to him. But a second image posted alongside it showed Musk suddenly disappearing from the picture. The two-part joke was hinting at a possible "Great Purge" being ordered by Trump similar to what Stalin ordered in the mid 1930s. 15 A clever AI generated image portrayed Trump as Soviet tyrant Joseph Stalin and Musk as one of his purged officials Credit: X 15 The real picture of Stalin which was edited with the faces of Musk and Trump Credit: Alamy The purge - also known as the Great Terror - is a damning historical period which saw Stalin axe dozens of his political allies in the Soviet Union. Any threat to Stalin's regime was made to go through sham trials which resulted in them being removed from any form of power. The government claimed they were getting rid of suspected party dissenters. The meme was posted shortly after Trump announced on Truth Social that he in fact asked Musk to leave his role within the US government. The president said the SpaceX chief was "wearing thin" and "went crazy" during his final weeks close to the White House. Musk's Russian-style coup Musk is a famously persuasive man with him even claiming on Thursday he is the main reason why America re-elected Trump. This created a whole load of hilarious comments and tweets on X as some jokingly ordered Musk to launch a coup on Washington. One of the viral posts featured an image of the billionaire in a khaki jacket pointing at the camera. 15 One of the viral posts featured an image of the billionaire in a khaki jacket pointing at the camera Credit: X 15 The pose was an echo of Wagner leader Prigozhin when he launched a botched coup on Moscow 15 Musk claimed on Thursday he is the main reason why America re-elected Trump Credit: X The pose and outfit had a striking similarity to Wagner group leader Prigozhin who launched a botched coup against Putin by marching on Moscow. It was followed by the caption: "Reports that Muskovite forces led by Elon Musk are preparing to march on Washington." The term Muskovite has been used before by Russian state television. In October 2023, they hailed the world's richest man after he posted a meme of himself ridiculing Ukraine for asking for US aid during the war. In response, Kremlin TV presenter Olga Skabeyeva described the tech mogul as "Elon the Muscovite" on Russia-1. Billionaire for billionaire As Trump and Musk's relationship capitulated before the internet's eyes, many users jumped at the chance to speculate on a potential replacement to join Trump's inner circle. The leading candidate was Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The Zuck and Elon already share a number of similarities. They both sit at the very top of the official world's rich list with Musk at number one and Zuckerberg sat just behind in second. 15 Some speculated that Trump may simply replace Musk with Mark Zuckerberg Credit: X 15 Zuckerberg and Musk were joined by fellow billionaires Jeff Bezos and Sundar Pichai at Trump's inauguration ceremony Credit: AP And both men own major social media platforms. Musk famously acquired Twitter and transformed it into X whereas Zuckerberg created Facebook, now Meta, in 2004. Trump already has a growing relationship with Zuckerberg after Meta donated $1m (£786,000) to an inauguration fund for the president. The pair also shared dinner together at Mar-a-Lago in November. But much like with Musk, the two have shared a turbulent past. In 2017, Trump hit out at Facebook for being "anti-Trump" after the platform banned his account following the Capitol riots on January, 6, 2021. Cybertruck conundrum Two of the most liked memes circulating around the internet on Thursday featured Tesla Cybertrucks. The powerful beasts are the brainchild of Musk and his remarkable staff at Tesla factories across the US. But for one unlucky motorist his Cybertruck may be forced to stay in the garage forever after the public spat. An image shows a parked up Tesla with the American flag emblazoned on the side in truly patriotic fashion. 15 15 Musk even joined Trump back on the stage where the president was shot Credit: AFP But superimposed over the top is the image of a defiant Trump just seconds after he was shot in the ear at a rally in Pennsylvania last year. The legendary photo shows the bleeding Republican with his fist raised high in the air as secret service agents crowd around him. The moment is notable in regards to the Trump/Musk feud as the assassination attempt is believed to be one of the main reasons why Musk joined team Trump. 15 The second Tesla related meme shows the burning wreckage of a Cybertruck sat next to Trump Hotel in Las Vegas Credit: X It has even been revealed that Trump is yet to remove the Cybertruck he was gifted by Musk from the White House parking garage. The second Tesla related meme shows the burning wreckage of a Cybertruck sat next to Trump Hotel in Las Vegas. The image is taken from the tragic New Year's Day incident when former soldier Matthew Livelsberger shot himself in the head just seconds before blowing up the Tesla. The X user suggests the flaming Cybertruck is comparable to how Musk has ignited a fiery feud with Trump.
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Inside the Ukrainian frontline strip club where brave dancers flout curfew to perform to punters enduring hell of war
'Our goal is to be a switch from what is happening,' says the club's owner DANCE THE PAIN AWAY Inside the Ukrainian frontline strip club where brave dancers flout curfew to perform to punters enduring hell of war AMID the missiles and misery of life on Ukraine's front line, there is one night-time spot which refuses to be beaten. In Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, the Flash Dancers strip club is still swinging - offering a temporary escape for the embattled locals. 9 The doors of Flash Dancers - a strip club in Kharkiv - remain open despite the raging war Credit: Getty 9 Club dancer Anny, 21, gets her costume and makeup ready ahead of a night of entertainment Credit: Getty 9 The women-owned business opens nightly - despite a strict 11pm curfew Credit: Getty Flash Dancers is a women-owned business which opens its doors every night - flouting the 11pm curfew. It offers exclusive, exotic entertainment to anyone who pays. Prostitution is illegal in Ukraine, so strip clubs find themselves in legal grey area. But the law was lightly applied before the war - and now the authorities seem to accept that momentary indulgence can be tolerated. Read more world news DIZZY HEIGHTS Inside world's craziest city where you never know which floor you're on Valeriya Zavadskaya, the club's co-owner, told Business Insider in 2023: "Our goal is to be a switch from what is happening." Her mother, a former professional Soviet dancer, opened the club a decade ago. The dancers arrive in the afternoon to practice their routines. By night time, they're dressed to the nines in ornate burlesque outfits to entertain their clients. The club is dimly lit in soft red glow as the doors swing open to welcome customers. There are never more than 20 in a night - and sometimes no one shows up. I went on holiday to UKRAINE - I fled £7-a-night hostel during air raid siren on first night…but it didn't spoil my trip More than a million residents have fled Kharkiv since war broke out, meaning fewer people are looking for entertainment. Drinks have also tripled in price since before fighting began. While the club is a haven for both staff and punters, the signs of war are inescapable. The windows on the three floors above the club are boarded up after an explosion in the city centre shattered every pane on the block. And Flash Dancers is underground, so it doubles up as an air-raid shelter. When the sirens sound, people scurry down to wait out rocket strikes in the red-leather booths surrounding the dance pole. But despite it all - the doors of Flash Dancers remain open. 9 Flash Dancers club owner Valeria Zavadksa trains a dancer before the club opens Credit: Getty 9 Zavadksa is a former professional Soviet dancer Credit: Getty 9 Pole dancer Nana performs at the club Credit: Getty Valeriya says: "It's something you can't say with words, but can tell with your body." Her founder mother Valeriia Kseniya now has a day job too as director of a small hotel. She told Business Insider: "For most of us in Ukraine today, it's difficult to earn a living in just one job." In 2014, she heard of a city-centre strip club closing down - and recognised her opportunity to bring her love of dance to the city she called home. With dreams of a modern-day Moulin Rouge, she hired a handful of women who could dance, and began crafting her vision. She says: "Everyone initially thought it was a club with happy endings. "Our position is that girls are not meat. Girls are about aesthetics, about femininity, about beauty." 9 Dancers Anny (left) and Nana share a drink as the club opens for business Credit: Getty 9 Ukrainian servicemen fire a Howitzer towards Russian troops on a front line in Ukraine's Kharkiv region Credit: Reuters
Glasgow Times
5 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Outlander star Sam Heughan to make debut in iconic role
The British theatre company has announced its programme of events for 2025/2026, including a raft of plays that will be staged in Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of famous playwright William Shakespeare. In the RSC's latest version of Macbeth, Scottish actor Heughan, 45, known for playing Highland warrior Jamie Fraser in romance drama Outlander, will star opposite The Day Of The Jackal actress Lia Williams, as Lady Macbeth. Heughan said: 'At age 18, standing on the main stage of the Royal Lyceum Edinburgh, playing 'spear-carrier number 2' (essentially a glorified extra) in a production of Macbeth, I could only dream of one day playing the infamous title character. 'It feels full circle to be returning to the stage, after over a decade working primarily in television and film. 'Not only is Macbeth my favourite Shakespeare play: intense, immediate and unsettling, it also happens to be famously Scottish. 'The RSC has always been at the pinnacle of my ambition and I feel deeply honoured and thankful to be working alongside some enormously talented and creative people. 'The Other Place is the perfect space to create an intense, intimate production and, like Lady M, we will be calling upon the spirits of the RSC's highly acclaimed past productions for their blessing.' David Tennant, Sir Ian McKellen, and Ralph Fiennes are among the actors who have played the famous character who, consumed by greed and power, murders the king to take the Scottish throne for himself. When will Sam Heughan take the stage as MacBeth? The new production will be shown at The Other Place theatre from October 9 to December 6. Elsewhere, four of Shakespeare's most famous characters have their stories revisited across two performances, also being staged at The Other Place, from January 2026. The first performance in All Is But Fantasy explores the story of Lady Macbeth, who is consumed by guilt after plotting to murder King Duncan, and Emilia, a character in tragedy play, Othello. The second performance looks at the story of Juliet, from tragic romance story Romeo And Juliet, and Richard III, who uses manipulation to become king in the eponymous play. Olivier award-winning actor Adrian Lester will play the title role of Cyrano de Bergerac in a new version of Edmond Rostand's play about the novelist and playwright, showing at the Swan Theatre from September 27 to November 15. Over at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Harry Potter star Alfred Enoch will star as Henry V in a play running from March 14 to April 25 2026. Other highlights include an 80-minute staging of King Lear and a two-part adaptation of John Galsworthy's novels, The Forsyte Saga, both playing at the Swan Theatre later in the year, with the former also going on tour. The RSC is also staging plays in the West End and recently announced the UK premiere of Liz Duffy Adams's Born With Teeth, which will play at Wyndham's Theatre, previewing on August 13 with a final performance on November 1. The production follows rival playwrights Christopher Marlowe, played by Doctor Who's Ncuti Gatwa, and Shakespeare, played by Killing Eve's Edward Bluemel.
