One of Shostakovich's Greatest Lost Works

As with most of Shostakovich's works, Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk suffered strict censorship from the Stalinist regime. A roaring success when it premiered in 1934, just two years later it was buried under political disapproval. The persecuted composer's work now stands as a testament to his latent operatic genius, celebrated in Richard Jones' thrilling production which returns to the Royal Opera House after a rapturous debut in 2004.

Combining tragedy with black humour, the story follows the misfortunes of bored housewife Katerina. She takes a lover, Sergey, but is soon found out by her father-in-law Boris. Together the couple murder Boris and Katerina's unfortunate husband. Death begets death when they are sent away to a prison camp...