For the opening of the second stage of the famous Mariinsky Theater Rodion Shchedrin will compose the opera Lefthander based on Leskov’s book.  

      The composer has confirmed this information in his interview to The Russian Newspaper. 

Lefthander will become Shchedrin’s third score after The Imprinted Angel and The Charmed Wanderer based on Nikolay Leskov's texts.  According to the composer, “Leskov has always been conformable to the events happening in Russia.  Especially now”. 

Rodion Shchedrin said that he had long been dreaming of creating Lefthander, a parable work with instructive sense. It is known that three quarters of the score are ready by now; and the work will be two-act.

      The Mariinsky Theater will hold the first test acoustic concert on the new stage on December 22. The official opening is scheduled for May 1, 2 and 3. After a few years after opening of the second stage the Mariinsky Theater will start reconstruction of its main stage.

Sources: http://lenta.ru