La Scala Celebrates Shostakovich Opera Amid Russia-Ukraine Tensions
La Scala Opera House in Milan recently premiered Dmitri Shostakovich's 'Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk,' receiving a 12-minute standing ovation. The opera, which was censored by Stalin in 1936, was performed as part of the theater's season opening. The performance featured U.S. soprano Sara Jakubiak in the lead role, and was directed by Vasily Barkhatov. The opera's staging, set against the backdrop of Stalin's Soviet Union, included a dramatic final scene with a Soviet truck crashing into a wedding party. The event drew luminaries from various sectors, including Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli and Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala. Despite the cultural celebration, the premiere was met with protests from Ukrainian activists and others advocating for peace and freedom, highlighting ongoing geopolitical tensions. 
