Type: Opera
Performed by: The Mariinsky Orchestra and Mariinsky Chorus
Conductor: Valery Gergiev
Location: Mariinsky Theater, St. Petersburg, Russia
Year: 2012

Nikolai Gogol was a Ukrainian playwright known for blending realism with the grotesque and satirical, often addressing 19th-century social and political issues. The Mariinsky Theater’s production of Rodion Shchedrin’s opera “Dead Souls,” based on Gogol’s novel, features vivid characters and a mix of operatic and folk singing styles that enhance the narrative’s depth. The audience reaction was enthusiastic, praising the innovative staging, strong vocal performances, and emotive set design.