Katyusha Maslova
Music by Dmitri Shostakovich · libretto by Anatoly Marienhof
Katyusha Maslova (Russian: Катюша Маслова) is an unfinished opera by Dmitri Shostakovich, with a libretto by Anatoly Mariengof, based on the novel Resurrection by Leo Tolstoy. Shostakovich received a commission from the Kirov Theatre to compose the opera in October 1940, while he was composing music for Grigori Kozintsev's production of King Lear. The first act of the libretto arrived in November, but further work was stalled because of preparations for the premiere of the Piano Quintet and the suicide of Mariengof's son. By the time work resumed in early 1941, Shostakovich had privately decided not to finish the opera. The libretto was completed in March 1941 and was revised according to recommendations by the Kirov Theatre. In spite of this, it was summarily rejected by Glavrepertkom, which effectively terminated the project. Shostakovich's sketches for the opera were rediscovered in 1979.
Text from the Wikipedia article "Katyusha Maslova", licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
About the Composer
Dmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich (25 September [O.S. 12 September] 1906 – 9 August 1975) was a Soviet composer and pianist who became internationally known after the premiere of his First Symphony in 1926 and thereafter was regarded as a major composer. Shostakovich achieved early fame in the Soviet Union, but had a complex relationship with its government. His 1934 opera Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk was initially a success but later condemned by the Soviet government, putting his career at risk. In 1948, his work was denounced under the Zhdanov Doctrine, with professional consequences lasting several years. Even after his censure was rescinded in 1956, performances of his music were…
Text from the Wikipedia article "Dmitri Shostakovich", licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Other Operas by Dmitri Shostakovich
- Orango (1932)
- Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk (1934)
- Moscow, Cheryomushki (1956)