Feodor Chaliapin Opera Festival opened in Kazan

On February 1, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov participated in the solemn opening of XXXIII Feodor Chaliapin International Opera Festival in Tatar Academic State Opera and Ballet Theatre named after M. Jalil.

The Opera Festival to mark the 140th anniversary of Kazan opera began with presentation of the film about history of opera in Kazan and challenging periods in the lifetime of theatre.

Then, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov took the stage and congratulated audience on the 140th anniversary of Kazan opera. “The Chaliapin Festival is a great event that we look forward to. We are proud of our theatre, and it is well known everywhere. During our numerous trips, when we talk about Tatarstan Republic, we always mention our opera. The theatre company is world-class. It is our great achievement that we can see both Russian and foreign stars here.  But our spectators are of greatest importance, as each performance is sold out,” Rustam Minnikhanov said in his welcoming speech.

Rustam Minnikhanov handed in awards and letters of gratitude to performers, orchestra musicians and other theatre employees. It should be noted that when Tatarstan President presented a letter of gratitude to Great Patriotic War veteran and an orchestra musician Lev Rosenblum, who recently celebrated his 90th anniversary, the audience stood up.

Director of M. Jalil Tatar Academic State Opera and Ballet Theatre Raufal Mukhametzyanov came on stage to welcome the audience and noted that the establishment of a permanent opera company in 1874, wide-ranging repertoire, brilliant performers, including Chaliapin, contributed to foundation of the Opera and Ballet theatre in Kazan.

Finally, the opera Turandot to be premiered in 2012 in Kazan was performed. The libretto was written by Giuseppe Adami and Renato Simoni with music by Giacomo Puccini. The leading part of Princess Turandot was performed by Oksana Kramareva of Taras Shevchenko Ukraine National Opera House, the part of Calàf was sung by Akhmed Agadi of Mariinsky Theatre.

The producers of the performance are an international team, including musical director and conductor Renat Salavatov (Kazan), stage director Mikhail Pandzhavidze (Moscow), costume designer Yulia Vaschenko (Minsk) and  Chorus Master Lubov Draznina.