Professor Sofia Khentova of the St Petersburg Conservatory, who was personally acquainted with Shostakovich, took part in last week’s opening of the exhibition last week.
Ms Khentova has written biographies of several prominent musicians of the 20 century, including Shostakovich and Mstislav Rostropovich.
Several Shostakovich concerts will be held this month in conjunction with the exhibition.
The Schmalenberg Quartet of the German Shostakovich Society is expected to take part.
What: Dmitry Shostakovich Exhibition
Where: Museum of Anna Akhmatova, 53 Liteiny Prospect or 34 Fontanka Nab.
When: 10:30 am - 5:30 pm, Tuesday-Sunday. Closed October 15.
Nearest metro: Mayakovskaya
Cost: 7,000 roubles for foreigners, 1,500 roubles for Russians.