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Post: Tsar Boris conquers Europe: Abdrazakov on his stunning success in Italy

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MOSCOW, December 10 – RIA Novosti, Anna Nekhaeva. Despite protests and picketing in Ukraine, the new season of Milan’s legendary theater La Scala opened with Mussorgsky’s opera “Boris Godunov” in Russian. Our famous bassist Ildar Abdrazakov played the leading role. For the first time since 2011, the President and Prime Minister of Italy were together at the opening of the season. Besides Sergio Mattarella and Georgie Meloni, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen watched the opera live (everyone gave very positive interviews). After the performance, there is a 20-minute standing ovation in the hall, and the international press production calls it a rare, surprising victory. Crowds in Milan watched the broadcast on large street screens, while European audiences were able to watch the broadcast on Rai-1, Italy’s main television channel.

Loud in every sense after the premiere, the singer gave an interview to RIA Novosti. She talked about the emotions she entered on the stage, why Russian culture cannot be canceled, how the European audience reacted to the Russian performance, and whether the performance schedule has changed due to the sanctions.

– İldar, please tell us, with what feelings did you go on stage at La Scala this time?

– Before the premiere, I felt that everything was waiting for a miracle, and it happened as it turned out.

And now all the Italian newspapers and magazines are bubbling. They write that this was a victory, they did not remember for a long time such a loud and glorious opening of the season in Milan.

Great preparation always comes before such a big premiere. And moreover, playing the role of Boris Godunov on one of the main music stages of the world. It was necessary to prepare mentally, physically, musically, acting, and to give all this at the right time.

Opera Boris Godunov in La Scala - RIA Novosti, 1920, 09.12.2022
Opera “Boris Godunov” in La Scala

That’s why this evening was very special and exciting. When you realize that half the world is going to be looking at you, there are a lot of television cameras and distinguished guests in the hall, a full house full of theater is a very responsible thing.

On the other hand, I felt happy that my dream came true – for the first time I sang a performance in Russian at La Scala.

It is in the same opera that the great Fyodor Chaliapin took to this stage more than a hundred years ago to present Mussorgsky’s masterpiece to the Italians for the first time. Now, in the new century, I was lucky enough to play the role of Boris Godunov and present him to modern audiences in La Scala.

— Do you now perceive the European public in a different way?

— No, because art and music have no boundaries. The salon welcomed us perfectly! And we tried to give the audience an unforgettable performance to show the best that each of us can do.

It was especially valuable that most of the artists sang in their mother tongue. And they sang the music that flows within us, that we feel, that we understand. And we can express the composer’s contribution to his work in a way that no one else can.
Opera Boris Godunov at La Scala
Opera Boris Godunov at La Scala
Opera Boris Godunov at La Scala

— Did you remember anything in particular during the execution or preparation of the project?

– There was such a silence during the performance that even the slightest rustle could be heard. Everyone listened with great attention, trying not to miss a sound. Then the hall groaned with applause and we were not allowed to leave the stage for 20 minutes.

There was also a great atmosphere backstage – everyone supported each other, wished good luck, sound. Literally – from the concierge to the theater director. He was incredibly cool and really energized us!

Even scrupulous critics, who did not miss a single performance and could easily boo the singer for the wrong note, noted that it was great.

— What do you think about the protests and calls for the cancellation of Russian culture abroad? And especially the attempt to cancel “Boris Godunov”?

“This can not be. Russian music, Russian culture is part of world history and culture, it is impossible to cancel! On the contrary, we need to learn and remember our history, which is the foundation of today and the future.

Just as we are proud of our ancestors who created these wonderful works of art and supported Russian culture, we must promote it today.

And pass on the best to our children and grandchildren so that they can move us forward in the future.

Ildar Abdrazakov with his wife Marika - RIA Novosti, 1920, 12/10/2022
Ildar Abdrazakov with his wife Marika

Where else do you plan to perform abroad?

– The most urgent plans are connected with Russia: performances at the Bolshoi Theater, a Christmas concert in Zaryadye, then in Sochi in February. We will definitely do something with maestro Gergiev at the Mariinsky Theatre. From abroad, a concert performance of Berlioz’s “The Damnation of Faust” is planned in Naples in February. Then I will return to La Scala for the premiere of Offenbach’s Tales of Hoffmann.

Ildar Abdrazakov and Denis Makarov in a scene from Giuseppe Verdi's opera Don Carlos at the Bolshoi Theater
Artistic Director, Mariinsky Theater Chief Conductor Valery Gergiev and musicians of the Mariinsky Symphony Orchestra in the New Zaryadye Concert Hall

– Is everything going as planned, any contract cancellations or changes in tour schedule and performances?

– No, my schedule is going according to plan and no agreements have been breached. In individual cases, I can cancel something myself for family reasons. But for now, all previously scheduled performances are still in effect.

– Which or which of the premieres you are planning are you particularly looking forward to and why?

“I’m really looking forward to next year. This will be the anniversary of two great musicians, Fyodor Chaliapin and Sergei Rachmaninov, who have made great contributions to our cultural heritage. In 2023, many magnificent events are planned, in which I will also take part.

Ildar Abdrazakov
Singer Fyodor Ivanovich Chaliapin
Russian composer, pianist and conductor Sergei Vasilievich Rachmaninov in his study

And I am still waiting for the release of the series about Chaliapin, in which I performed the vocal role of Fyodor Ivanovich. It was an important event and a great honor for me as well.

And of course, I’m looking forward to my next festival, Abdrazakovfest, in the regions of Russia. This year he celebrated his first little anniversary – five years. We will now grow more actively, expand, develop new cities and discover new talents.

Source: Ria

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