The premiere of one of the most famous works of the world opera classics of the “ Il trovatore” by Giuseppe Verdi took place on the stage of the Astrakhan Opera and Ballet Theater. This is a typical romantic drama with intricate intrigue and bloody denouement, with indispensable fights, poison and fatal secrets. Romantic dramaturgy attracted Verdi by the brilliance of colors, sharpness of stage situations and by passions.
This is the premiere performance of the opera Giuseppe Verdi in Russia for the director Igor Lysov, Prior to that, he staged operas in Salzburg and Warsaw. The creative union of two theatrical artists - the dramatic (I. Lysov) and the opera (V. Voronin) combined historical and modern elements in the play and two masters tried to present the idea of the great composer. The scenery on the stage conveys the gloomy, oppressive atmosphere of a medieval castle, anticipating subsequent violent and bloody events. There is not a hearth, but a sacrificial fire surrounded by fenders and suggestive horror in the center of the dilapidated castle. The scenery, costumes of the main and secondary heroes are created in a single color scheme and transfer the viewer to those turbulent and disturbing times (art director Bella Kozinskaya). Lighting designer Anton Andreyuk changes the scenery with light.
Star cast was specially invited to tell the tragic story of love, deceit, hatred and death. The legendary tenor Ramon Vargas conquered the Astrakhan public once again. He performed the most complex arias of Manrico in love easily and naturally. Irina Dolzhenko performed in the role of the gypsy Azucheny, which Verdi considered the main heroine of the opera. Andrei Silenko, who calls himself a Verdi singer, introduced Count di Luna and gave the audience the opportunity to hear an exceptional Verdi baritone. Elena Razgulyaeva demonstrated a magnificent dramatic talent in the role of Leonora, showing the changes in her character from frivolous love to the tragic awareness of her inevitable death in the name of love. The magnificent voice of the singer and her ability to penetrate into the deep essence of the music causes the sincere admiration and delight of the audience. The spectators could not fail to note the deep bass of Vadim Shishkin and his conformity to the image in the party of Ferrando, loud applause were the proof of that. Oksana Voronina performed the party of Ines, Leonora’s friend.
The silent appearance of the new character of the opera, the mother of Azucheny (Olga Bogush), causes horror and adds more mystery to the opera.
In the play “Il trovatore ”, vivid musical images complete the colorful figures of the Gypsies, the soldiers and the closest earl, outlined in magnificent choirs.
The choir (choirmaster and director Honored Art Worker Galina Duncheva) and the theater orchestra conducted by artistic director and chief conductor Valery Voronin pleased fans of Verdi sound with expressiveness, timbre and dynamic variety. Passions reached their highest point among all the four stars after the intermission. All the famous arias and ensembles were performed with incredible spirits and attractiveness, which gave the spectator great joy.
The artists took a bow the storm of applause several times.
The play “ Il trovatore” became the pride of the repertoire of the Astrakhan Opera and Ballet Theater.
Thanks to the soloists and musicians - the premiere fulfilled!
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