Grand Hall of the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory
April 12, 2017
On April 12, 2017 at the Grand Hall of the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory, within the framework of the Season Ticket dedicated to the opera prima donnas, The Charitable Foundation of Support for the Music Art «The Elena Obraztsova Foundation» presents the concert performance of the Donizetti’s opera La fille du régiment in honour of Elena Obraztsova.
In June 2006 Elena Obraztsova made her debut as Marquise of Berkenfield in the production of La fille du régiment presented by the Teatro Comunale di Bologna at the Tokyo Orchard Hall. This part became the last singer’s role at the opera stage. By happy coincidence, it was a comic role, which Elena Obraztsova dreamt of. She appeared as Marquise of Berkenfield along with Juan Diego Flórez as Tonio, Stefania Bonfadelli as Marie and Bruno Praticò as Sulpice, under the baton of Bruno Campanella.
The opera La fille du régiment is one of the Donizetti’s best works. It had its premiere on February 11, 1840 at the Opéra-Comique in Paris. The premiere was a success, and since then this opera has been on at the opera theatres all over the world. In Russia it was staged for the first time in Odessa and St.Petersburg 170 years ago, in 1847. But in the 20th century in our country La fille du régiment was a very rarely performed opera. In Moscow it could be heard only in 1981 within the framework of the Estonia theatre tour, and in 2011 at the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall.
At present several outstanding performers of the leading parts of this opera have appeared at the world opera stage, such as Tonio of our performance – famous tenor Dmitri Korchak, and fascinating Marie – Olga Pudova, who made her debut in the recent premiere of the Mariinsky Theatre. Sergeant Sulpice’s role will be performed by the brilliant opera buffa artist, Italian bass-baritone Bruno Praticò, who was a partner of Elena Obraztsova in Bologna performance. Soloist of the Mariinsky Theatre, People’s Artist of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, Prize Winner at the Operalia World Opera Competition Anna Kiknadze is invited to perform the role of the Marquise of Berkenfield. Hortensius’ role will be performed by the soloist of the Moscow Helikon Opera Konstantin Brzhinsky. An opera debut of the dramatic actress, People’s Artist of the Russian Federation Irina Miroshnichenko in the comic role of the Duchess of Crakentorp will become a real surprise for the audience.
Moscow chamber orchestra “Musica Viva” and Grand Choir “Masters of Choral Singing” are among the participants of this opera production, which will be held under the baton of Denis Vlasenko. Maestro Vlasenko is one of the brightest young Russian conductors; he has gained fame thanks to the Big Opera project organized by the Russia-Kultura TV. This performance of La fille du régiment will become his Moscow opera debut.
Because of the concert version spoken dialogue will be partially shortened. Priority is given to the music, which captivates listeners with its melodic and rhythmic richness, virtuosity of the vocal parts and ensembles, ardour and love of life – all this creates an affinity with Prima donna Elena Obraztsova’s charismatic personality. The Moscow Conservatory, The Elena Obraztsova Foundation and all the participants dedicate this premiere to the great singer Elena Obraztsova.