Obra: Moscow, Cheryomushki (Cherrytown)

Wit, tragedy, and the weight of history in Santtu-Matias Rouvali's program of Prokofiev and Shostakovich at the Wu Tsai Theater. 

Music from Prokofiev's ballet Romeo and Juliet makes for a fine second half to this Philharmonia matinee, led by Santtu-Matias Rouvali. 

Shostakovich’s 1959 operetta Moscow, Cheryomushki (“Paradise Moscow”) is to date one of the most uncomfortable evenings I have ever spent in a theatre, though, I hasten to add, not because of the performance.