Feast of Classical Arts at Palace Square
May 25 2014 St.Petersburg, Palace Square |
On 25 May 2014, there was a grand Gala of Opera and Ballet stars took place at the Palace Square. To celebrate the Day of the City – the Day of St. Petersburg a classical arts show was arranged that highlighted the tradition that went along with the spirit of the Northern capital, and reflected its true essence of an “open air museum”.
This year the audience of the show extended thanks to the live broadcast arranged by St. Petersburg TV-channel 100 TV. Moreover, the Gala was recorded especially for Mezzo TV-Channel, the major cultural resource. It should also be admitted that the Gala is the only Russian open air project to be broadcasted all over Europe.
Upcoming white nights added a special hue to the natural concert set – the architectural ensemble of the Palace Square. Stage designs were built up against the background of the Winter Palace to delicately fit the surroundings with no insult to very demanding audiences.
This night, every person had a unique opportunity to hear opera masterpieces, performed by one of the most renowned prima of the world, a unique mezzo soprano Elina Garanca, who performed in St. Petersburg for the first time in her career. Another foreign star was Massimo Giordano, who performs with Teatro alla Scala among many other notable theaters. The program also featured other outstanding performers of today: Hibla Gerzmava, a bright, emotional, passionate soprano; Ildar Abdrazakov, pride of the Russian opera, aristocratic bass, Grammy winner; Veronika Dzhioeva, whose unique actress talent along with a gorgeous soprano brought her an award in the TV project “Bolshaia Opera”, baritone Vasily Ladyuk, who in 2001 was called “an artistic discovery of the year”; favorite of St. Petersburg audiences – principal of the Mariinsky Theater Oxana Shilova, as well as a tenor with a “honey timbre” – Dmytro Popov. A special addition to the show was a performance by a young St. Petersburg virtuoso violinist - Sergei Dogadin, winner of prestigious music competitions, who conquers the best venues of the world.
The entire performance was accompanied by the live orchestra of the Mikhailovsky Theater under the direction of Mikhail Tatarnikov. The show became not only a triumph of opera art, but a gorgeous sight to see. Solo vocal parts was alternated with impressive mass choral scenes (by various choirs of St. Petersburg) and choreographies performed by the dancers of the Eifman Ballet.
The sport club “Dance on the Wheels” presented the dancers in the wheelchairs who had participated in the Opening of Paralympics and made international audiences gape with the strength of their spirits. An unusual gift to the Day of the City became a performance by a Spanish company Entredos Ballet Español who added to the program hot southern flavors, fiery passion and atmosphere of unlimited hilarity. The dancers from Madrid presented their author’s dance pieces, created with the participation of opera stars and Russian symphony orchestra, particularly for the Day of the City 2014. The performance at the Palace Square became a unique opportunity for the citizens of St. Petersburg and tourists to see top-artists perform for free. The Day of the City was arranged by the Government of the city of St. Petersburg; official partner of the Event – Master Card.