Review by howardross

Shostakovich is my favorite composer after Alfred Schnittke but I had only heard not seen the opera. He wrote the lead role for Galina Vishnevskaya wife of Rostropovich who sings this performance. Nicolai Gedda sings the role of Sergei. The film is obviously not big budget as you can tell from the titles and other things but they are good performances all around and I like the sets, costumes and stylish film work. there are not really any special features on the disk but I was just glad to finally be able to see the opera. I think it was probably more entertaining than just watching a filmed stage version.