Come and discover the fascinating story within and around one of Shostakovich’s most famous works, Lady Macbeth. What made this opera so controversial for much of its history, and how do we appreciate and interpret it today?
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We will explore the Shostakovich’s opera Lady Macbeth of Mstensk, which premiered in 1934 to great acclaim, but was famously denounced by the Soviet regime and, for different reasons, criticised in the West.
CONTENT WARNING: this opera contains scenes of a violent and sexual nature. Please consider whether you may find this too disturbing to listen to and discuss. You can check the opera synopsis
What will we cover?
Lady Macbeth in the context of Shostakovich’s life, musical career and compositional output, and the overall context of Soviet cultural life.
Structure, plot and characters, especially with reference to the 1865 novella by Nikolai Leskov on which it was based, Shakespeare’s Macbeth, and institutions of the Soviet Union.
Musical language and style in the opera, its relationship to drama and character-building and reference to operatic traditions.
Overview of the opera’s performance and reception history, from its initial reception through its revisions of 1962 to its place in the modern operatic repertoire.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Understand the role of Lady Macbeth in Shostakovich’s compositional output and Soviet cultural history
Be familiar with the plot, characters and music of the opera, and their musical and dramatic impact
Understand the opera’s place in music of the 20th century and operatic repertoire
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is a beginners’ course. No prior knowledge of music or opera is assumed or expected. You will need to be able to follow written and verbal instructions and take part in class discussion in English, and to take your own notes. Any material in other languages will be accompanied by English translations.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Tutor presentation, guided listening and watching, class discussion. Course materials will be shared via Google Classroom, with recommendations to encourage further exploration after the course.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please have a pen and notebook to make your own notes during class. You may wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class; links to these materials will be available after each session. You may also wish to attend live performances.
Trish trained as a violinist, singer and historical musicologist, with a specialism in music since 1900. She has worked variously as a university and college lecturer, choral conductor and arranger, and orchestral violinist, and has taught a wide range of subjects including choral singing and conducting, composition techniques, music theory, analysis and musicianship, music history, violin and chamber music. She has published and presented at conferences on French music (especially Ravel), and Australian music and cultural history. At City Lit, Trish currently teaches Orchestra workshop and short music history and theory courses. Her interests in the arts also include contemporary theatre, dance and visual arts.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/great-works-shostakovich-s-lady-macbeth2590494Great works: Shostakovich's Lady Macbethhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/g/r/great_works_shostakovich_s_lady_macbeth_-_md701c-1080.jpg3939GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Performing arts/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Music history/Courses/vm/Great Works/Courses/International Women's Day at City Lit/Courses/New courses228513141351136319612003174312285131413511653<p>Come and discover the fascinating story within and around one of Shostakovich’s most famous works, <em>Lady Macbeth</em>. What made this opera so controversial for much of its history, and how do we appreciate and interpret it today?</p>002590449Great works: Shostakovich's Lady Macbeth3939https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/g/r/great_works_shostakovich_s_lady_macbeth_-_md701c-1080_1.jpgInStockDaytimeThuKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekday2026-07-23T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJul 2026Performing artsMD701C3939Great works: Shostakovich's Lady Macbeth393939Trish Shawgreat-works-shostakovich-s-lady-macbeth/md701c-2526<p>Come and discover the fascinating story within and around one of Shostakovich’s most famous works, <em>Lady Macbeth</em>. What made this opera so controversial for much of its history, and how do we appreciate and interpret it today?</p>0000-Available|2026-07-23 00:00:00<p>We will explore the Shostakovich’s opera <em>Lady Macbeth of Mstensk</em>, which premiered in 1934 to great acclaim, but was famously denounced by the Soviet regime and, for different reasons, criticised in the West.</p><p><strong>CONTENT WARNING:</strong> this opera contains scenes of a violent and sexual nature. Please consider whether you may find this too disturbing to listen to and discuss. You can check the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Macbeth_of_Mtsensk_(opera)#Synopsis">opera synopsis</a></p><p>Come and discover the fascinating story within and around one of Shostakovich’s most famous works, <em>Lady Macbeth</em>. What made this opera so controversial for much of its history, and how do we appreciate and interpret it today?</p><ul><li><em>Lady Macbeth</em> in the context of Shostakovich’s life, musical career and compositional output, and the overall context of Soviet cultural life.</li><li>Structure, plot and characters, especially with reference to the 1865 novella by Nikolai Leskov on which it was based, Shakespeare’s <em>Macbeth</em>, and institutions of the Soviet Union.</li><li>Musical language and style in the opera, its relationship to drama and character-building and reference to operatic traditions.</li><li>Overview of the opera’s performance and reception history, from its initial reception through its revisions of 1962 to its place in the modern operatic repertoire.</li></ul><ul><li>Understand the role of <em>Lady Macbeth</em> in Shostakovich’s compositional output and Soviet cultural history</li><li>Be familiar with the plot, characters and music of the opera, and their musical and dramatic impact</li><li>Understand the opera’s place in music of the 20th century and operatic repertoire</li></ul><p> </p><p>This is a beginners’ course. No prior knowledge of music or opera is assumed or expected. You will need to be able to follow written and verbal instructions and take part in class discussion in English, and to take your own notes. Any material in other languages will be accompanied by English translations.</p><p>Tutor presentation, guided listening and watching, class discussion. Course materials will be shared via Google Classroom, with recommendations to encourage further exploration after the course.</p><p>Please have a pen and notebook to make your own notes during class. You may wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class; links to these materials will be available after each session. You may also wish to attend live performances.</p><p>City Lit offers a wide range of <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-history">Music history courses</a>. For more information, visit our <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/music-history-your-guide-our-programme">Guide to the Music history programme</a>. You may also be interested in related courses in Russian and Soviet history, language and culture.</p>MusicMusic historyvirtual393939MD701CNONEThu23/07/2614:00 - 16:3014:0016:301 session1One-off onlyWeekdayKSKeeley StreetTrish ShawBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-07-23T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeJul 2026Performing arts3939Great works: Shostakovich's Lady Macbethgreat-works-shostakovich-s-lady-macbeth/md701c-2526<p>Come and discover the fascinating story within and around one of Shostakovich’s most famous works, <em>Lady Macbeth</em>. What made this opera so controversial for much of its history, and how do we appreciate and interpret it today?</p>0000-Available|2026-07-23 00:00:00<p>We will explore the Shostakovich’s opera <em>Lady Macbeth of Mstensk</em>, which premiered in 1934 to great acclaim, but was famously denounced by the Soviet regime and, for different reasons, criticised in the West.</p><p><strong>CONTENT WARNING:</strong> this opera contains scenes of a violent and sexual nature. Please consider whether you may find this too disturbing to listen to and discuss. You can check the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Macbeth_of_Mtsensk_(opera)#Synopsis">opera synopsis</a></p><p>Come and discover the fascinating story within and around one of Shostakovich’s most famous works, <em>Lady Macbeth</em>. What made this opera so controversial for much of its history, and how do we appreciate and interpret it today?</p><ul><li><em>Lady Macbeth</em> in the context of Shostakovich’s life, musical career and compositional output, and the overall context of Soviet cultural life.</li><li>Structure, plot and characters, especially with reference to the 1865 novella by Nikolai Leskov on which it was based, Shakespeare’s <em>Macbeth</em>, and institutions of the Soviet Union.</li><li>Musical language and style in the opera, its relationship to drama and character-building and reference to operatic traditions.</li><li>Overview of the opera’s performance and reception history, from its initial reception through its revisions of 1962 to its place in the modern operatic repertoire.</li></ul><ul><li>Understand the role of <em>Lady Macbeth</em> in Shostakovich’s compositional output and Soviet cultural history</li><li>Be familiar with the plot, characters and music of the opera, and their musical and dramatic impact</li><li>Understand the opera’s place in music of the 20th century and operatic repertoire</li></ul><p> </p><p>This is a beginners’ course. No prior knowledge of music or opera is assumed or expected. You will need to be able to follow written and verbal instructions and take part in class discussion in English, and to take your own notes. Any material in other languages will be accompanied by English translations.</p><p>Tutor presentation, guided listening and watching, class discussion. Course materials will be shared via Google Classroom, with recommendations to encourage further exploration after the course.</p><p>Please have a pen and notebook to make your own notes during class. You may wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class; links to these materials will be available after each session. You may also wish to attend live performances.</p><p>City Lit offers a wide range of <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-history">Music history courses</a>. For more information, visit our <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/music-history-your-guide-our-programme">Guide to the Music history programme</a>. You may also be interested in related courses in Russian and Soviet history, language and culture.</p>MusicMusic historyconfigurable
13631351Music historyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-history1/2/285/1314/1351/13631/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Music history
