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La Scala Opens With Shostakovich’s Lady Macbeth to Ovations and a Record Box Office

The production’s artistic triumph has drawn fresh political scrutiny over a Russian title with explicit stage violence.

Overview

  • Riccardo Chailly led his final Dec. 7 Prima as music director, earning prolonged applause of more than 11 minutes.
  • Vasily Barkhatov’s modern, cinematic staging delivered striking stage effects that were largely embraced by the audience.
  • The opening night posted €2,679,482 in revenue, the highest ever reported for a Scala Prima.
  • The event mixed heavy VIP turnout with notable absences, as Liliana Segre was warmly applauded in the royal box.
  • Culture Committee chair Federico Mollicone criticized the choice, saying it was not the time for a Russian work and objecting to the explicit themes.