The operas of Sergei Prokofiev have been positioned on the edge of the general repertoire, but recently they seem to have gained more widespread acceptance.

Semyon Kotko, the tale of a young soldier returning from the first World War to the newly founded USSR, was Prokofiev's attempt to compose a work acceptable to the authorities following his return to Russia in 1936.

He did not succeed: the work was condemned both for its musical style and dramatic content. It was withdrawn after its initial run in 1940 and not staged again until 1960. This is a pity, as it contains some fine music.

This reissue of a 1960s recording from the Melodiya label (with plot synopsis but no libretto) facilitates an appreciation of what remains an interesting score.