Gala of Russian and Ukrainian Opera Soloists
June 13 2013 St.Peterburg, Academic Philharmonia Grand Hall |
St. Petersburg witnessed a unique concert: the best voices of the National Opera of Ukraine together with Mariinsky theater soloists gathered on stage of the Philharmonia Grand Hall.
Both Russia and Ukraine have famous deep-rooted musical traditions. Natural richness of voices combined with elaborate academic approach and commitment permanently yields well: among world opera stars there are lots of those coming from Russia and Ukraine. Due to various reasons it’s become more difficult for Russian audience to keep track of the singing art in Ukraine, and the Gala, organized on request of the Ministry of Culture of Russian Federation, was called up to solve this problem. Opera is international by definition. The Italians Rossini and Verdi, the French Bizet and Offenbach, the Ameican Gershwin and the Czech Dvo??k were performed by Angelina Shvatchka, Sergey Magera, Garry Setyan, Tatyana Kalinkina, Khatchatur Badalyan and Alexander Trofimov.
The Honored Artist of Ukraine Angelina Shvatchka (mezzo-soprano) has her own personal record: she has sung the part of George Bizet’s Carmen 105 times in 18 productions in various countries of the world. Her Habanera was the piece to open the 1.5 hour Gala. Possessing a mighty basso of most beautiful timbral palette the Honored Artist of Ukraine Sergey Magera is famous not only for his vast repertoire, but also for his brilliant dramatic skills. The audience was to find it out for themselves as he played parts of such diverse characters as Mephisto, Gremin and Don Basilio. The charming Tatyana Kalinkina, who studied in Italy, among other things in the famous La Scala, is adored in Ukraine not only for her magnificent soprano voice, but also for her soulful performances including romance songs and civic songs. The Merited Artist of Ukraine Garry Setyan (baritone) is performing in loads of concerts, solo and opera performances, as well as Galas around Ukraine and Russia. His concert repertoire includes Ukrainian folk songs, opera arias, romance songs and works of authorship. Russian opera traditions were presented by two tenors. Mariinsky theater soloist Khachatur Badalyan, who interned by prominent vocal teachers of Italy and the USA, has performed together with such conductors as Mikhail Pletnev, Antonello Allemandi, Keri-Lynn Wilson, Teodor Currentzis, Marco Boemi, Eri Klas and lots of others. The Mariinsky Theater Academy of Young Singers soloist Alexander Trofimov is adored by the audience of St. Petersburg, as well as by audiences of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Hungary and other countries where he has toured. The Gala certainly pleased the singing art connoisseurs, as well as devotees of high profile opera singing and of everlasting classical music.