Shostakovich used to sheepishly disown his one and only operetta, but it turns out to be a feast of good tunes, biting irony and occasional high camp. When a Moscow housing shortage brings a disparate group of friends together in a model Soviet apartment block, their greatest hurdle turns out to be the building owner, his trophy wife and the wily concierge in charge of the keys. Relocated to modern Brisbane and translated into English, Constantine Costi’s savvy update takes aim at Australia’s slippery housing ladder in a staging conducted by Richard Mills and performed by Conservatorium Classical Voice Students and the Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra.

Limelight Editor’s Choice

A group of friends. A housing shortage. A homeless crisis. Corrupt, over-paid officials. Sounds familiar? Welcome to the world of Brisbane Cheryomushki.

Originally performed as Moscow Cheryomushki, Dmitri Shostakovich’s delightful operetta, named after an actual Moscow suburb, takes a biting and satirical look at the housing crisis in post-World War II Russia, which he matches with musical pastiches and parodies, often associated with the operetta style — the waltz, the polka, choral music and traditional Russian folk songs.

Conducted by esteemed Australian composer, Richard Mills AO, and directing his own translation of the original Russian libretto is Queensland Conservatorium favourite, Constantine Costi (2025’s Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria, & the award-winning documentary The Golden Spurtle) don’t miss your chance to enjoy this rare musical gem.