How to Stage Soviet Operas in the 21st Century: Navigating Russian Music Heritage amidst Revival and Boycott

In the midst of the Russo-Ukrainian war, the discussion on “Soviet” operas abroad acquired a new dimension. The parallel occurrences of boycotting Russian music and the resurgence of Soviet Russian music provoke questions about the power music embodies, while also challenging the notion of music as detached from the current political turmoil. This paper frames the complex persona of Sergey Prokofiev and his two “Soviet” operas within the context of the recent resurgence of Soviet operatic productions in Russia.