The performance based on the novella by Nikolai Leskov "Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk" has been on the stage of the Mariinsky for over twenty years. The opera based on "Lady Macbeth" was composed by Dmitri Shostakovich. He also created the libretto together with Alexander Preis. In the story, the wife of merchant Zinovy Borisovich Izmailov is desperately bored in her husband's house and doesn't know what to do with herself. Then a new worker, Sergey, comes to the house, who captivates the lady and seduces her. The merchant's father, Boris Timofeyevich, learns about this and promises to inform his son. To avoid exposure, Katerina Lvovna poisons her father-in-law. But unexpectedly, the situation resolves itself, Zinovy Borisovich returns home, sees what is happening, and pays for it with his life. The merchant's body is hidden in the cellar, and they begin to prepare for their own wedding. However, the family idyll is not meant to be - the police learns about the murder, and the newlyweds are taken to prison right from the wedding. Later, in hard labor, Sergey has no reason to pretend to be in love; he blames Katerina for his imprisonment and right in front of her starts a new romance with another convict. For Katerina, the betrayal of her beloved is an unbearable blow, and she takes her own life. The performance lasts almost 4 hours, with 2 intermissions during the show. You can find even more performances in St. Petersburg on our website in the theater section.