Rustam Minnikhanov attends performance in Opera and Ballet Theatre

Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov attended an opera performance “Madame Butterfly” in Tatar State Opera and Ballet Theatre named after Musa Jalil on February, 5. The performance was held in the context of anniversary XXX International Opera Festival named after Feodor Shalyapin.

Before the performance Head of Tatarstan Republic shared his expectations in the interview by “Efir” TV channel. The Republic is becoming more attractive for world culture celebrities, Rustam Minnikhanov noted. “Our Republic is often considered to be industrial, oil, sport region. But we should not forget about culture component. Such festivals give Tatarstan citizens an opportunity to see world-known celebrities”, Rustam Minnikhanov believes.

XXX International Opera Festival named after Feodor Shalyapin is being held in Kazan on the stage of Tatar State Opera and Ballet Theatre named after Musa Jalil on February, 1-17, 2012.

The Shalyapin forum is the oldest one in the post-Soviet space, there is no similar festival with such a long-lasting history in Russia. The festival was founded in 1982 on the motherland of an outstanding Russian bass singer Feodor Shalyapin, Kazan. In 1985 the event obtained the status of All-Russia festival and became international in 1995.

XXX Shalyapin festival will become the most long-lasting, it will last for 17 days. 12 opera performances and two gala concerts will be on the repertoire. More than 60 outstanding singers, representing the best theatres of Russia, CIS, Europe and USA will take part in the event.