It's Only an Opera

People are upset about the first new opera to be commissioned by the Bolshoi in 30 years. The problem would seem to be the libretto by literary bad boy (I personally prefer to call him a hack) Vladimir Sorokin. Complains Duma member Sergei Neverov:

It is offensive. Five great composers are presented as tramps ... they play music in underground passageways ... they drink vodka. The 16-year-old Mozart is befriending prostitutes.

The Bolshoi theater is a symbol of Russia -- these symbols of Russia should not be defiled by such productions.

I wonder when Sorokin is going to get around to messing with Pushkin. THAT, my friends, will be fun to watch.