Dmitry Donskoy (opera)

[5] But Rubinstein faced trouble with the Russian censors, who forbade any stage presentation of Donskoy himself singing.

Eventually the score was approved in March 1851 and the first performance took place on 18 April 1852 at the Bolshoi Kamenny Theatre in St. Petersburg which was met with high regards by the audience.

[7] The composer was pleased by the reception, although he complained about the quality of the singers: nonetheless he reported that 'The success was enthusiastic!'

Alexander Serov's comments on the opera allude to the hubris of young composers taking on complex subject matter, Rubenstein's ineffective expression of the Russian style and national spirit, as well as his integration of different musical styles, and his overly academic compositional language.

Despite the negative reaction from Serov, Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna expressed her fondness of the opera to Rubenstein.