| "Don Carlo ". Debuts :      October 31st  -  Aquiles Machado (Don Carlo) will make his debut at the Bolshoi Theatre     November 1st  -  Oleg Dolgov will make his debut with the part of Don Carlo, Dmitry   Ulyanov   -  with the part of Philip II, the King of Spain, Agunda Kulaeva  -  with the part of Princess  Eboli  November 5th  -  9th  -  premiere performances of the ballet "A Legend of Love "  Historic Stage  -  rehearsal day  New Stage  -  rehearsal day The gala concert, marking the 75th birthday of the opera diva Elena Obraztsova, took place  at the Bolshoi Theatre Historic Stage on October 28th. Photo: M.Logvinov Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Maria Guleghina and Vladimir Urin at the press conference about the  Elena Obraztsova jubilee concert at the Bolshoi Theatre. Photo: Mikhail Logvinov Yusupov The  most powerful culmination of the revived ballet happened several minutes after the  end of the performance, when the whole cast gathered on the Bolshoi's stage and Zakharova  brought to the stage maestro Grigorovich. The author of epoch-making ballets  stood in the middle, the artists put flowers at his feet and moved to the curtain. This  mise-en-scene revealed one peculiarity that is almost mystical. In some incomprehensible  way this small and slim person conquered both the stage and the audience  hall. /.../ The  ballet "A Legend of Love " returned to the Bolshoi Theatre The  grand premiere of the ballet "A Legend of Love" to the music by the Azerbaijani composer  Arif Melikov took place at the Bolshoi Theatre last week. This was not only a  new version of the production, which was staged by Yuri Grigorovich more than half a  century ago, but also a piece that still looks very original; at some point this ballet marked  the birth of a new style in ballet classics. It happened that Arif Melikov offered the  score to the libretto by Nazym Hikmet, which he wrote following the recommendation  of his teacher Kara Karayev, to the Kirov (Mariinsky) Opera and Ballet  Theatre. The young and talented choreographer Yuri Grigorovich and the set designer  Simon Virsaladze created a masterpiece of the 20th century ballet theatre. After  this production was created, Grigorovich became the master, who rehabilitated the  pure classical dance, which was losing its traditions in favor of dramatized scenes, depicting the life of the so-called man of labor. The choreographer's name symbolized  the ascension of the Russian ballet to the world Olympus. The design of Simon  Virsaladze determined the style of the production. It is sophisticated and does not  have any unnecessary details; at the same time it is not all-suf ficient and provides freedom  of movement in the eastern style, which determined many details of the choreographic  language as well. This is true about the tangy flavor of solos and pas de  deux, or the pattern of the mass scenes; this is even more true about the colorful choreographic  characteristics of the main characters. In 1961 Grigorovich also personally  staged his production in Baku, where the People's Artist of the USSR Leyla V ekilova demonstrated a brilliant performance in the role of Shireen, and the People's  Artist of Azerbaijan Tamila Shiralieva created a bright and emotional image of  Mekhmene Banu. Her  partner, the People's Artist Maksud Mamedov, and other soloists of the Azerbaijan  State Opera and Ballet Theatre, also had their say. "A Legend of Love" appeared  at the Bolshoi Theatre a bit later; it was changed a bit, and stayed in the theatre's  repertoire for a long time. It was a real jewel in the crown of the Bolshoi's ballet  repertoire. This time the audience was presented with a new version. It has not been  changed, and no new fragments have been added to it. Still, it is dif ferent. But the  set, which was designed by Simon Virsladaze and which has become a legend a long  time ago, has not changed: the open Quran, strict lines and somber colors instead  of the theatrical East everyone is so used to, magnificent and sweet. The set was  re-created in the Bolshoi's set departments, based on the designer's sketches. As  for the atmosphere, which was created by the luminaries of the 1960s and 1970s, it  has definitely changed after the reconstruction with the appearance of new ballerinas  and new dancers… Svetlana Zakharova as Mekhmene Banu. Photo: Damir Yusupov After  the pompous premiere, which was given a very warm welcome, the artists (Svetlana  Zakharova  -  Mekhmene Banu, Denis Rodkin  -  Ferkhad and Anna Nikulina   -  Shireen) said it was very prestigious and at the same time very difficult to dance  in the production that had such extraordinary style. It demands not only impeccable  dance technique, but also the ability to convey the most complicated emotions  to the audience. These are the emotions that give deep philosophical meaning  to this eastern legend. Ballet  productions are broadcast live at Russian cinemas again Photo:  Damir Yusupov The  Bolshoi Theatre opened a series of broadcasts The  ballet "A Legend of Love", choreographed by Yuri Grigorovich, was the first production  broadcast at the cinemas. This ballet has become the Bolshoi's symbol a long time ago; last week the revived version of the ballet premiered at the theatre. The  cast starred Svetlana Zakharova, one of the world's leading ballerinas. This season  the Bolshoi Theatre will present broadcasts of seven productions. Six of them  were choreographed by Yuri Grigorovich. The list includes "Romeo and Juliette",  "Ivan the Terrible" and "The Nutcracker". The only exception will be the ballet  "Pharaoh's Daughter", staged by the French choreographer- restorer Pierre Lacotte Newsletter
   October, 29 2014 The Bolshoi Theatre's prima ballerina Svetlana Zakharova starts rehearsals The  ballerina Svetlana Zakharova, who was urgently hospitalized on Friday and diagnosed  with renal colic, said to RIA NOVOSTI that she felt better. The  dancer said: "I was hospitalized at the I. M. Sechenov Institute; there are wonderful  specialists there, and they took all necessary measures. Fortunately, we managed  to do without surgery. I feel better now, and the doctors allowed me to start rehearsals  in the near future, so I will be able to rehearse for the ballet "A Legend of Love",  where I perform the part of Mekhmene Banu, which is the main female role. I hope  that I will perform in the production on November 6th". The  ballerina also said she regretted that she would not able to take part in the "Opera  Ball" in honor of Elena Obraztsova on October 28th, as had been planned earlier. The  Bolshoi Theatre organized "Opera Ball" to mark the anniversary of Elena Obraztsova The  famous opera singer performed arias from "The Queen of Spades " Photo:  ITAR-T ASS/Alexei Philippov Elena  Obraztsova, the famous opera singer and a People's Artist of the USSR, celebrated  her 75th birthday on the Bolshoi Theatre Historic Stage. "Opera Ball", starring  the world's biggest stars, was organized in honor of the singer. This gala concert  became the main event in a series of jubilee celebrations in honor of Elena Obraztsova.  The artist celebrated her 75th birthday on July 7th together with her nearest  and dearest. Official celebrations started in Saint Petersburg on August 24th. The  gala concert "With Love to You, Elena Obraztsova!" took place at the Grand Philharmonic  Hall named after D.D. Shostakovich. Makvala Kasrashvili, Veronika Dzhioeva,  Juan Pons, Beatriz Parra and other famous artists congratulated the singer. Anna  Netrebko, Maria Guleghina, Olga Peretyatko, Ekaterina Siurina, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, José Cura, Bruno PraticГІ, a prima-ballerina Yulia Makhalina and the famous  flamenco dancer Maía Pagés performed at the "Opera Ball". Dmitry Bertman,  the director of the concert, said: "Only the name of Elena Obraztsova can bring  such artists together on the same stage. All artists have very busy tour schedules;  however, none of them refused to take part in this historic concert". Mr. Bertman  also admitted that he had tried not to interfere with Elena Obraztsova's plans,  as she wanted to design the program of the "Opera Ball" herself. The famous American  conductor Eugene Kohn, who conducted the Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra on  that day, became the third member of the concert organizers' team. Elena  Obraztsova herself took part in the concert as well. In summer the singer had double  pneumonia and could not sing for five months. However, she decided to sing in  this concert. She appeared on the stage as the Countess from the opera "The Queen  of Spades" by P. T chaikovsky; this is considered to be one of her signature roles. The repertoires of guest stars remained a secret. Dmitry Bertman mentioned: "The concert  itself is a surprise for the audience". By saying this, he confirmed that he was not  going to reveal the intrigue. Elena  Obraztsova first performed at the Bolshoi Theatre when she was a student at the  Leningrad Conservatoire. She made her debut with the part of Marina Mnishek in the  opera "Boris Godunov" by M. Mussorgsky; she performed this part on December 17th  1963, and was accepted into the Bolshoi Opera Company at once. The  Bolshoi Theatre General Director Vladimir Urin said: "I admire people that devote  their whole lives to one opera house. Elena Obraztsova is one of those people.  She is a great singer and the crown jewel of the Bolshoi Theatre". He added that  the "Opera Ball" caused tremendous excitement and the tickets had been sold out  long before the event. Mr. Urin admitted: "I do not pick up the phone. But I want to calm the audience and to let  them know that everyone will be able to watch the live broadcast on the TV Channel  "Culture". The  celebration of the renowned singer's jubilee will continue at the State Kremlin Palace.The  gala concert "Wonderful Elena Obraztsova and Her Fans" will take place on December  11th. Russian popular stars will congratulate the opera diva on this day. " Opera Ball" in honor of Elena Obraztsova took place at the Bolshoi Theatre Anna  Netrebko, Maria Guleghina, Olga Peretyatko, Ekaterina Siurina, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, José Cura, Bruno PraticГІ and Yusif Eyvazov sang in honor of Obraztsova.  The Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra was conducted by the famous Eugene Kohn. The  gala concert "Opera Ball" in honor of the outstanding singer Elena Obraztsova took  place at the Bolshoi Theatre on October 28th. Opera stars, outstanding musicians  and dancers congratulated the opera diva. The main heroine of this even prepared  a surprise for the audience as well; she appeared on the stage as the Countess  from the opera "The Queen of Spades" by P. T chaikovsky. The information was  announced at a press conference on Monday. Dmitry  Bertman, the artistic director of "Helikon-Opera" and the director of the concert, told RIA  NOVOSTI in one of his earlier interviews that "Opera Ball" was a historic event that would bring a whole galaxy of first-class world stars together on the  Bolshoi's stage for the first time. Anna  Netrebko, Maria Guleghina, Olga Peretyatko, Ekaterina Siurina, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, José Cura, Bruno PraticГІ and Yusif Eyvazov sang in honor of Obraztsova.  The world-famous flamenco dancer Maía Pagés demonstrated her outstanding art.  This was her debut at the Bolshoi. The Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra was  conducted by the famous Eugene Kohn, who worked with Maria Callas, Luciano Pavarotti,  Placido Domingo and other opera legends. One  day before the concert the Bolshoi Theatre General Director Vladimir Urin said: "It  feels great to realize that you are a part of such a spectacular star team. We have already  celebrated the opera diva's birthday recently. But when Elena V. Obraztsova suggested  organizing "Opera Ball", I did not hesitate for a single moment. The theatre  should value its history, and Obraztsova represents a great page in this history. I am convinced that this celebration of music, which the singer has devoted her  whole life to, left no one indifferent". Elena  Obraztsova says that music is "a blessing, God's grace, life, breath and a means  to exist" for her. Dmitri Hvorostovsky, who participated in the press conference,  said: "Elena V. Obraztsova is a unique singer and an amazing person. I was  blessed to perform together with her in the opera "The Queen of Spades" at La Scala,  and this was an unforgettable experience. I keep the recording of "Aida", where  Obraztsova performed the part of Amneris at the Metropolitan Opera. After her  aria the performance was stopped for 15 minutes because the audience gave her  such an ovation. It was a tremendous success, and those were the times when the  USSR remained a closed country. Obraztsova was one of the first to represent Russian  art abroad. It is a great honor for me to have the chance to participate in the concert  in honor of Elena Obraztsova". All  artists, who sang and danced for the opera diva on Tuesday, agreed with Hvorostovsky. They all expressed the same opinion; the director of the concert Dmitry  Bertman said it would not be a traditional concert, but rather a theatrical performance,  an "Opera Ball" in honor of the outstanding opera singer. Newsletter
   October, 29 2014 Mass media about the Theatre Newsletter  ,  7   Why are there so few opera professionals at the Bolshoi Theatre? Vladimir  Urin, the Bolshoi Theatre General Director:  -   Problems, connected with stage direction, exist not only in our country. What about  the conductors?! There are very few maestros of a high level (he raises his hands);  we can count them using the fingers on two hands. I am talking about the world! I am absolutely convinced that the Bolshoi  Theatre needs to look for people that  can share the theatre's vision and that understand the artistic meaning of the opera,  but not only narrowly focused specialists. Evgeny Pisarev, the artistic director of  the Pushkin Theatre, has already staged "L'italiana in Algeri" at the Stanislavski and  Nemirovich-Danchenko Moscow Academic Music Theatre. Lev Dodin, the head of the Maly  Theatre in Saint Petersburg, worked in Italy. Alexei Borodin, the artistic director  of the Russian Academic Youth Theatre (RAMT), has staged the opera "Otello". Dmitri  Hvorostovsky performed on the Bolshoi Theatre Historic Stage for the first  time Elena  Obraztsova organized "Opera Ball" to mark her jubilee. The  gala concert, starring world-famous artists  -  Anna Netrebko, Maria Guleghina, Dmitri  Hvorostovsky, José Cura and Bruno PraticГІ  -  on the Bolshoi Theatre Historic Stage  marked the 75th anniversary of the opera diva. The Mariinsky Theatre prima ballerina  Yulia Makhalina and the world-famous flamenco dancer Maía Pagés took part  in the concert as well. Dmitri  Hvorostovsky said:  -   When Elena Obraztsova performed the role of Amneris in the opera "Aida" at the Mteropolitan  Opera, the audience gave her a standing ovation; the performance stopped  for 15 minutes. Hvorostovsky  also was sad to admit that he had never performed at the Bolshoi Theatre.  Obraztsova granted him such an opportunity. The famous tenor José Cura and  the baritone Bruno PraticГІ made their debuts at the Bolshoi as well. Before the performance  the artists did not say anything about their program; they only promised to  surprise and to please the audience. The TV Channel "Culture" organized live a broadcast  of the concert for those who did not manage to get a ticket to the Bolshoi. Joseph Blatter presented the emblem of the 2018 FIFA W orld Cup in Moscow on  October 28th The  2018 FIFA W orld Cup emblem was officially presented on October 28th. Joseph Blatter, the President of FIF A, arrived in the Russian capital to do it. Jéíґme Valcke, the  Secretary General of the international federation, and Fabio Cannavaro, the winner  of the Golden Ball, arrived in Moscow as well. They presented the emblem of the  championship together with Vitaly Mutko, the Minister of Sport. The  light show near the Bolshoi Theatre started at 11. 30 p.m. (Moscow time); the emblem of the 2018 FIF A W orld Cup was projected on the theatre's façade. At the same  time the logo was presented to the viewers of the Channel One in the program "V echerny Urgant" ("Evening Show with Ivan Urgant"). For  articles published 27 October 2014 The  main news is about the exhibition of costumes from the Bolshoi Theatre at he the Crumlin  Road Goal culture space in Belfast Northern Ireland. Many editions write about  this unique exhibition and include many photos of the exhibition in their reports.  U TV (UK) reports that the Bolshoi Theatre is "the world's most renowned ballet  company and distinguished opera producer". The  BBC quotes the exhibition curator Lidya Kharina who says: "It charts the fascinating  journey of the world's most famous theatre. It shows how the rich history of  Russian peasant life, and the beauty and intrigue of Russian culture, have influenced  the Bolshoi designs". The  Guardian one of the UK's biggest daily newspapers reports "It is very exciting to see  such a wonderful exhibition coming to Belfast and to know that we are seeing something  that has never been outside Russia before". The  Mirror (UK) another of the biggest UK newspapers publishes many photos from the  exhibition. Lord Mayor Nichola Mallon said it was a wonderful coup for the city to have  secured the exhibition which is part of the Russia-UK Year of Culture. The  Belfast Telegraph reports that it is the first time most of the costumes have been seen  outside Russia and that the last time Belfast hosted a Russian costume exhibition  was in 1895.  October, 29 2014
 
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