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      • Dmitri Shostakovich

      • Katerina Izmailova, Opera in four acts (9 tableaux), Op. 114 (1963)

      • G Schirmer Inc (USA, Canada and Mexico only)
        Le Chant Du Monde (France, Belgium, Luxemburg, Andorra, French speaking African countries)

      G Schirmer is the publisher of the work in the USA, Canada and Mexico only. Le Chant du Monde is the publisher of the work in France, Belgium, Luxemburg, Andorra, French speaking African countries.

      • 3.3.4.3/4.3.3.1/timp.2perc+xyl/2hp/str
      • SATB chorus
      • 2 high basses, 7 tenors, 3 sopranos, 8 basses, countertenor
      • 2 hr 45 min
      • Libretto by Alexander Preis and the composer after the tale "Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk" by Nikolai Les
      • Russian

      Programme Note

      ‘Katerina Ismailova’ is the alternative name of Shostakovich’s opera Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District op.29. As op.114, the work is a revision of the original opera, with two new entr’actes, a major revision to Act 1 Scene 3, and smaller changes elsewhere. In his lifetime, Shostakovich gave it out that he preferred the piece to be performed in this later revision. Nowadays it is usually played in the original version (op.29) which itself poses problems of alternative readings as the composer was already busy revising the piece at the time of its first performances in the 1930s.

      Note by Gerard McBurney

      Synopsis:
      The young Katerina Ismailova, wife of the merchant Sinovi, is very bored, especially because of his long trips. She takes Sergei, one of the workers, as her lover, which is noticed by Boris, her father-in-law, who wants her also. Boris throws Sergeiout, so she poisons him. Sinovi, hearing of her betrayal, returns and tries to kill her, whereupon she and Sergei, who has come back, kill him and hide his body in the cellar. A drunk worker finds the body and tells the police. The two lovers are arrested and sent into forced labor. When Sergei turns his attentions to the young Sonetka, Katerina pushes her rival into the river and jumps in herself, to her death.

      Dedicated to Nina Vasilievna Shostakovich

      _______________________________________________


      Act I
      1. Scene 1 ‘Garden in the Izmailovs’ House’ (attacca)
      2. Entr’acte (Allegretto) (attacca)
      3. Scene 2 ‘The Izmailovs’ Courtyard’ (attacca)
      4. Entr’acte (Allegro) (attacca)
      5. Scene 3 ‘Katerina’s Bedroom’
      Act II
      6. Scene 4 ‘The Izmailovs’ Courtyard at Night’ (attacca)
      7. Entr’acte (Largo) (attacca)
      8. Scene 5 ‘Katerina’s Bedroom’
      Act III
      9. Scene 6 ‘The Ismailovs’ Courtyard before the Wedding’
      10. Entr’acte (Allegro) (attacca)
      11. Scene 7 ‘In the Police Station’ (attacca)
      12. Entr’acte (Presto) (attacca)
      13. Scene 8 ‘The Wedding Feast in the Iszmailovs’ Garden’
      Act IV
      14. Scene 9 ‘Convicts’ Camp on the Road to Siberia’