Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk

Dmitri Shostakovich's 1934 opera holds an important place in Soviet history as it ushered in the regime's attack on modernism that led to the imposition of standards of so-called socialist realism in music and art (Shostakovich responded by revising the work, adopting—some have argued—a more officially palatable style). Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk must have shocked audiences when it premiered, both due to its libretto—about a wealthy adulteress who, aided by her lover, kills her husband and father-in-law (with further tragic consequences)—and its discordant music. This 2006 production from the Nederlandse Opera follows the original version, and boasts some great strengths: the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra is magnificent, with conductor Mariss Jansons bringing out all the power and spikiness of the score, and the vocal work is wonderful, with Eva-Maria Westbroek overwhelming as Katerina and Christopher Ventris excellent as Sergei. Technically, the mounting is first-class as well, with crisp, fluent camerawork and superb sound (including DTS and LPCM stereo options). But the staging is problematic—not because the action has been updated with modern costumes and spare sets, or because of the extensive nudity (especially in a near-rape sequence) and sexuality (in a bedroom scene performed with strobe lighting). No, the real drawback lies in the fact that the action sometimes makes nonsense of the words, as when we see a man carrying a body that he says is still buried in a cellar. DVD extras include a documentary featuring the director and singers. Overall, this is a good—if not definitive—rendition. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)