DSCH
Shostakovich: Artist and Regime
Zwinger 3
The Soviet composer Dmitri Shostakovich (1906–1975) is the embodiment of an artist subject to oppression and despotism by the state. Though already internationally famous, he fell in disgrace due to his opera »Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk«, was branded a »formalist«, his works were banned from performance, and he was even banned from exercising his profession altogether. He expected to be detained and deported but out of the blue Stalin granted him a pardon. For Shostakovich this was the beginning of his second creative period and he officially positioned himself as artist of the state. His musical language, however, went far beyond any kind of ideology.
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Shostakovich’s death, this scenic-musical project uses the composer’s music and words to portray the artist and the possibilities of artistic freedom in a tyranny.
The production of the decorative parts is carried out in the workshops of the Theater und Orchester Heidelberg.
A complete list of all employees of the technical departments involved can be found here.