Wakasugi Hiroshi chose this piece as the 20th century work for the 2008/2009 season. Boris Timofeyevich Ismailov is played by Valeri Alexejev who appears in important houses worldwide. Uchiyama Shingo, who is especially talented for modern pieces, is selected for Zinovy Borisovich Ismailov. Stephanie Friede, who shined with her ability to convey the drama in "La fanciulla del West" in 2007 will portrait the title role.