Dmitry
Shostakovich lived in the Soviet Union during a time when the state enforced
socialist realism, a government-approved system demanding that artists create
in a clearly-defined style that portrays an idealized lifestyle within their
nation. Under this system, many artists felt restricted and unable to fully
display their creativity.
During
this time, Shostakovich wrote his opera, Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District
that premiered on January 22, 1934 in Leningrad and on January 24, 1934 in
Moscow.
At
first, the opera experienced great success with performances occurring
internationally. Critics considered Lady Macbeth a major achievement, one only
a Soviet composer could successfully produce. Two years following its premiere,
however, Shostakovich’s success took a turn for the worse. Stalin attended a
performance and controversy ensued. Read more about what followed when I post
on Wednesday!
