The Gran Teatro del Liceo kicked off its 2024/2025 season with Dmitri Shostakovich’s opera Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk. This coincided with the celebration of the 25th anniversary of its reopening after the devastating fire of 1994. This production of the Liceu has been stage directed by Àlex Ollé, one of the most outstanding directors of the contemporary scene, and has the musical direction of Josep Pons. The public will be able to enjoy this monumental work until October 7, in what promises to be one of the most memorable productions of the season.
Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk at the Liceu
Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk is a fascinating opera, full of drama and controversy. It is an adaptation of Nikolai Leskov’s novel, which in turn refers to William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The protagonist, Katerina Ismailova, is a woman trapped in an oppressive society, from which she seeks to free herself through a series of murders.
The work is a powerful psychological portrait of Katerina, who represents the struggle of a woman for her autonomy in the midst of a corrupt and patriarchal society. It is an opera that combines elements of thriller with social criticism, which makes it an essential piece of the 20th century.
The premiere of Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk in 1934 was a resounding success in the Soviet Union. However, only two years later, the opera fell into disgrace when Soviet leader Stalin attended one of its performances. The official critics of the regime condemned the work for its content, considering it unacceptable, which led to its prohibition in the USSR until 1963. Although it was revived in 1974, ten years after Stalin’s death, the original version was not performed again in Moscow until 2000, 66 years after its premiere. Àlex Ollé, in charge of the staging at the Liceu, has stated that the original version of the opera, which he considers “one of the fundamental pieces of the 20th century”, will be presented.
Innovative scenography
One of the most impressive aspects of this production is its innovative set design by Ollé, who has included a three-finger-deep pool with a capacity of 10,000 liters of water on stage. This resource not only creates a powerful visual impact, but also symbolizes the emotional state of Katerina, the protagonist, who lives trapped in a sordid and violent world, marked by corruption, crime and repression. Water, used in an ingenious way, generates a play of mirrors and reflections that enhances the somber atmosphere of the work.
The water system used in this production is part of a sustainable project of the Liceo, which takes advantage of the theater’s phreatic waters. This water is treated and disinfected for use in a closed circuit, thus minimizing the waste of resources. This sustainable infrastructure, in which the theater has invested 1.5 million euros, will be permanently installed at the Liceu for future productions, representing a milestone in terms of technical innovation and respect for the environment.
An inaugural show full of key figures
The inauguration of the season, which took place on September 25, was an event of great relevance that attracted numerous personalities from the political, economic and cultural spheres. Among the attendees were the President of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, the Mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, and the President of the Parliament, Josep Rull. Also present were the former presidents of the Generalitat Jordi Pujol and José Montilla, as well as other high-ranking government officials and influential businessmen, such as Josep Oliu, president of Banco Sabadell, and Maurici Lucena, president of AENA.
The world of culture was also represented at this important event. Prominent figures such as film director J. A. Bayona, writer Carlos Zanón, and actors Joan Pera and Pere Arquillué attended. The painter Frederic Amat was also part of the audience that enjoyed the premiere of this iconic opera.
25th anniversary of the reopening of the Liceu
Before the opera began, the Gran Teatro del Liceo projected a two-minute video on a giant screen to commemorate the 25th anniversary of its reopening after the fire that destroyed it in 1994. The video included the poem Foc Nou, written by Mireia Calafell, which evokes the theater’s journey from its devastation to its rebirth. This tribute recalled the resilience of the Liceu, which has re-emerged as one of the most important cultural spaces in Europe.
The presentation of Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk not only inaugurates the season, but also reaffirms the Liceu’s position as a world opera benchmark. With a monumental production, a first-class cast and a scenography that defies the limits of creativity, the Liceu celebrates not only its history, but also its present and future, consolidating its position as a space of artistic and cultural innovation.
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