Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk review – masterpiece has rarely sounded better

Coliseum, London
New ENO music director Mark Wigglesworth gets off to a flying start with a searing account of Shostakovich’s only major operaThe dazzling brass fanfares, blasting their crazed fortissimos from either side of the orchestra pit, would be reason enough to rush to hear Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk (1934) at English National Opera. The music blisters, bubbles, froths and caresses. The cast is effective, chorus robust, enlarged orchestra on peak form. Conducted by Mark Wigglesworth,