Shostakovich Lady Macbeth

Jennifer Grucza · Post by **Jennifer Grucza** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 7:03 pm

I heard about 5 minutes of this on the radio tonight and thought it sounded cool (which isn't unexpected, since it's Shostakovich). Of course I've heard of the piece before, but had never actually heard it.

Any suggestions as to recordings?

Brendan · Post by **Brendan** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 7:17 pm

I'm not really aware of any other than the Rostropovich, so will be interested to see other's thoughts.

Ralph · Post by **Ralph** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 7:22 pm

Hi Jennifer,

The EMI with Rostropovich is outstanding. This is one opera, however, where seeing it adds a lot.

I heard three performances of "Lady Macbeth of Mtensk" at the Met, each a riveting experience.This was the opera that almost landed Shostakovich in the Gulag - or worse. Stalin walked out of the performance in a rage and soon thereafter denunciatory articles began appearing in Pravda and other media. DSCH had to duck for cover big time.

Heck148 · Post by **Heck148** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 8:06 pm

Jennifer Grucza wrote:Any suggestions as to recordings?

it is really outstanding...The Rostropovich/LPO/Vishnevskaya recording is the only recording of the complete opera I know; tho I know there is at least one other available...

The Rostrp'ch is very good. highly recommended...

Jennifer Grucza · Post by **Jennifer Grucza** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 8:54 pm

Ralph - I don't see any Boston performances of this opera listed for next season - maybe I should buy a DVD.

I see two Rostropovich/LPO/Vishnevskaya EMI recordings listed on Amazon - does anyone know if they are the same? The price is different (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/searc ... 87-2844603).

Ralph · Post by **Ralph** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 9:01 pm

Jennifer Grucza wrote:Ralph - I don't see any Boston performances of this opera listed for next season - maybe I should buy a DVD.

I see two Rostropovich/LPO/Vishnevskaya EMI recordings listed on Amazon - does anyone know if they are the same? The price is different (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/searc ... -2844603).

*****

There's only one EMI performance. It's possible there are different editions which might explain a price difference.

Post by **Corlyss_D** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 9:10 pm

I buy about 95% of my cds used. I've had a problem only once. The price for the two sets is only pennies apart if you buy used. There is another set with Chung available used but apparently it doesn't compete artistically.

Ralph · Post by **Ralph** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 4:56 am

Rostropovich has this opera in his blood. And the soprano is his wife.

C.B. · Post by **C.B.** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 10:57 am

I'm partial to the Myung-Whun Chung version on DG, unfortunately NLA. Maria Ewing in the title role is quite remarkable.

Has anybody seen the DVD of this opera that is reportedly R-rated, with graphic violence, nudity and such? Not sure who actually does the singing, but I remember a rather favorable review in Fanfare.

Ralph · Post by **Ralph** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 11:10 am

C.B. wrote:I'm partial to the Myung-Whun Chung version on DG, unfortunately NLA. Maria Ewing in the title role is quite remarkable.

Has anybody seen the DVD of this opera that is reportedly R-rated, with graphic violence, nudity and such? Not sure who actually does the singing, but I remember a rather favorable review in Fanfare.

*****

Now that I would like to see. Thanks.

Post by **Corlyss_D** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 1:52 pm

C.B. wrote:I'm partial to the Myung-Whun Chung version on DG, unfortunately NLA. Maria Ewing in the title role is quite remarkable.

A used copy is available on Amazon.

Has anybody seen the DVD of this opera that is reportedly R-rated, with graphic violence, nudity and such? Not sure who actually does the singing, but I remember a rather favorable review in Fanfare.

Well, if that don't get 'em in the opera houses, nothing will.

JackC · Post by **JackC** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 3:06 pm

C.B. wrote:I'm partial to the Myung-Whun Chung version on DG, unfortunately NLA. Maria Ewing in the title role is quite remarkable.

Has anybody seen the DVD of this opera that is reportedly R-rated, with graphic violence, nudity and such? Not sure who actually does the singing, but I remember a rather favorable review in Fanfare.

I have the DVD and yes, the sex scenes are pretty intense (for an opera)!. I believe the EMI recording is used as the soundtrack.

Heck148 · Post by **Heck148** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 3:51 pm

JackC wrote: I have the DVD and yes, the sex scenes are pretty intense (for an opera)!. I believe the EMI recording is used as the soundtrack.

I'd like to see that!!

the music is really wild to this opera...some of the wildest stuff Shostakovich ever wrote, so that's saying alot....

it certainly offended the "delicate sensibilities" of the Great Leader and Teacher...J Stalin

he must have esp liked the police station scene, where the cops are depicted as lazy, drunken louts, whose main interest is to torment and harass the citizenry...

Ralph · Post by **Ralph** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 4:34 pm

JackC wrote:
C.B. wrote:I'm partial to the Myung-Whun Chung version on DG, unfortunately NLA. Maria Ewing in the title role is quite remarkable.

Has anybody seen the DVD of this opera that is reportedly R-rated, with graphic violence, nudity and such? Not sure who actually does the singing, but I remember a rather favorable review in Fanfare.
I have the DVD and yes, the sex scenes are pretty intense (for an opera)!. I believe the EMI recording is used as the soundtrack.

[panting] Will order tonight!

Post by **Corlyss_D** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 11:42 pm

JackC wrote:I have the DVD and yes, the sex scenes are pretty intense (for an opera)!.

If we weren't having this discussion, I wouldn't believe we were having this discussion.

Ralph · Post by **Ralph** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 4:26 am

Corlyss_D wrote:
JackC wrote:I have the DVD and yes, the sex scenes are pretty intense (for an opera)!.

If we weren't having this discussion, I wouldn't believe we were having this discussion.

*****

But we are so you do.

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