In addition to 15 symphonies, the Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich (1906 - 1975) also wrote ballet music and a small number of operas. The best-known opera of this composer, who was suppressed by the communist regime, is “Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District”. Steven Verhaert made a selection from this work, creating this excellent arrangement which will be a challenge to any quality orchestra