Dmitry Shostakovich-About Himself and His Times

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I often wonder which production of Katerina Izmailova – Nemirovich-Danchnko’s or Smolich’s- was closest to my own conceptions. It is extremely difficult to decide, because I really liked both of them, but in different ways. Nemirovich-Danchenko’s great talent, and his application of the whole dramatic tradition of the Moscow Art Theatre system to this operatic production, occasionally brought truly staggering results, but at the same time I felt that in places he relied more on Leskov’s story than on the libretto of the opera. Smolich’s production, however, was marked by a profound knowledge of the mature opera. Musically, his production was on a very high level.

I often wonder which production of Katerina Izmailova – Nemirovich-Danchnko’s or Smolich’s- was closest to my own conceptions. It is extremely difficult to decide, because I really liked both of them, but in different ways. Nemirovich-Danchenko’s great talent, and his application of the whole dramatic tradition of the Moscow Art Theatre system to this operatic production, occasionally brought truly staggering results, but at the same time I felt that in places he relied more on Leskov’s story than on the libretto of the opera. Smolich’s production, however, was marked by a profound knowledge of the mature opera. Musically, his production was on a very high level.

excerpt from 'Dmitry Shostakovich-About Himself and His Times' pp. 66 (116 words)

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