Sonata for Broken Fingers

A Thriller From Stalinist Moscow

In the last days of Stalin’s reign, a mysterious phone call from the Kremlin launches a desperate search for a missing pianist. Inspired by the life of the pianist Maria Yudina, this new chamber opera explores the role of music in people’s lives during one of the darkest periods of Soviet history.

World Premiere & Recording

A new opera produced in partnership with Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, Birmingham Record Company and Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

The world premiere performance (in concert) took place on 14 July 2024 at CBSO Centre, Birmingham.

The libretto is loosely based on David Zane Mairowitz’s 1989 Radio Play The Stalin Sonata and other historical sources of the time.

Watch a behind-the-scenes preview of the project. 

Production Supporters

Opera21 would like to thank our funders and supporters for bringing this special project to life. Without you, none of our work with composers would be possible.

Maria Yudina

Support Opera 21

By donating to Opera 21 you are supporting further development of new works like Sonata for Broken Fingers.

Please make a donation.