The opera Rusalka will be presented by a star cast of performers

The project “Russian operas in the Astrakhan Kremlin” traditionally presents the spectators with meetings with famous soloists, who are the recognized opera singers in Russia and abroad. The upcoming premiere of the opera Rusalka on August 30 and 31 will come up to the expectations of several thousand fans of academic musical art.

In recent years, the opera Rusalka has been seldom performed in Russia. However, for the 225th anniversary of A.S. Pushkin, the author of the poem of the same name, several theaters decided to refer to this musical masterpiece. But it is in Astrakhan where the opera will be performed in historical interiors, on the Cathedral Square, against the background of the farewell summer sunset and the crescent moon that replaces it.

The opera Rusalka is considered one of the first works in the Russian style; it is called a musical rarity. It preserved the subtle psychological insight so peculiar for the works of Pushkin. The composer Alexander Dargomyzhsky came up with the finale unfinished by the author, and also intensified the folk motifs. This opera is very demanding of voices and acting talent. The main roles will be performed by the soloists of the Bolshoi Theater, the Mariinsky Theater, the Helikon Opera Theater, and the Astrakhan Opera and Ballet Theater.

The role of the Miller will be performed by the leading soloist of the Bolshoi Theater, the Honored Artist of the Republic of Tatarstan, the laureate of International competitions Alexey Tikhomirov. His powerful deep bass has already been appreciated by fans of opera art in Italy, France, China, South Korea and many other countries. The soloist has already performed one of the roles in Rusalka on the stage of the Geneva Opera.  Alexey Tikhomirov greatly admires Feodor Chaliapin, for whom the part of the Miller was one of the favorite roles.

The role of Natasha will be performed by the Mariinsky Theatre soloist Natalia Pavlova, the laureate of the II International Competition of Young Opera Singers “Opera Without Borders”. She knew the part of the main character from the productions in her native theater and concert performances of the opera. In one of her interviews, the soloist admitted, “Open-air is always exciting. When you go on stage, you realize that there is no second take. In this regard, we are one-take artists: you just go on stage and do your best. It is a great responsibility to the audience who have been waiting for this concert. They, in turn, fill you with unique energy; and when you feel it, you realize that you are doing something special.”

The role of the Prince will be performed by the soloist of the Helikon Opera Theater, the Honored Artist of the Republic of Bashkortostan, the winner of the Grand Prix and the laureate of international competitions Igor Morozov. The singer took part in the recording of Dmitry Hvorostovsky's solo audio disc, and together with the great singer participated in the concert performance of the opera The Demon by A. Rubinstein at the Moscow Philharmonic.

The audience will also have the opportunity to see the soloists of the Astrakhan Opera and Ballet Theater performing the lead roles: the winner of international competitions Dmitry Sharmanov and the marvelous dramatic soprano singer Emilia Ablaeva. The Chorus of the A. Tsebekov Kalmyk State Philharmonic will also take part in the production.

The performance is implemented with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and the Autonomous Non-Commercial Organization “Russian Seasons” as part of the celebration of the 225th anniversary of the birth of Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin.

The premiere audience will not only enjoy the singing of the star performers, but also experience with them a great human drama of deceived expectations and inevitable atonement.

General partner - Sber.

Information partners: radio stations “Russkoye Radio” and “Yuzhnaya Volna”