jan 1, 1923 - Lady Macbeth
Description:
an opera by Shostakovich.1. In 1923 he premiered Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District as part of a new restructuring of the arts.
2. At first the opera enjoyed great success, until Stalin attended a performance in January
1917.
a. Two days later a now-famous document appeared in Pravda that attacked the opera in puritanical commentary.
b. At the end of the article was a threat.
3. The next few pieces by Shostakovich received unfavorable reviews, and Lady Macbeth
was banned (until 1963).
4. That Shostakovich, the best composer in the Soviet Union, could be treated so harshly is a testament to governmental control of the arts.
Added to timeline:
Date:
jan 1, 1923
Now
~ 102 years ago