Celebrating Two Operatic Milestones: A Tribute to Mastery and Mentorship

This November, the Belarusian State Opera and Ballet Theatre will host two momentous evenings celebrating the artistry and pedagogy of distinguished figures in the operatic world. These evenings will honor the remarkable career of Ludmila Kolos, a revered artist and educator, and the achievements of her students, showcasing the profound impact of her mentorship.

An Evening Dedicated to the Teacher: “La Traviata”

On November 13th, the theatre will pay tribute to Ludmila Kolos, an esteemed artist of the Republic of Belarus and an outstanding educator. This evening will feature a performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s “La Traviata,” with her student, Anastasia Lurikova, making her debut in the role of Violetta Valéry. This performance is not just a celebration of Ludmila Kolos’s illustrious career but also a testament to her enduring legacy as a mentor.

Ludmila Kolos has graced the stage of the Belarusian State Opera and Ballet Theatre for over two decades, captivating audiences with her impeccable vocal technique and beautiful timbre. Her journey began in 1976 when she became a soloist at the theatre, performing over 30 leading roles. Her debut as Rosina in Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville” marked the start of a brilliant career, followed by her acclaimed performance as Gilda in Verdi’s “Rigoletto.”

Her international acclaim includes winning the 2nd prize at the M.I. Glinka Competition in 1977 and the 1st prize at the International Competition of Vocalists “New Opera Voices” in Milan in 1986. Since 1986, Ludmila Kolos has been a professor at the Belarusian State Academy of Music, nurturing generations of talented opera singers. Among her students are renowned artists such as Anastasia Moskvina, Tatiana Tretiak, and laureates of international competitions like Anastasia Malevich and Marta Danusevich.

On November 13th, the performance of “La Traviata” will feature Anastasia Lurikova as Violetta, alongside Alexander Mikhnyuk, Kirill Panfilov, Alexander Krasnodubsky, and Irina Polesczuk. The conductor for the evening will be Vitaly Grishchenko.

The “Bloody” Role of Lady Macbeth

Another student of Ludmila Kolos, Tatiana Tretiak, a distinguished artist of the Republic of Belarus, will celebrate her anniversary with a benefit performance of Verdi’s “Macbeth” on November 15th. Tatiana Tretiak, a graduate of the Belarusian State Conservatory in piano and academic singing, began her career at the theatre in 1988 as a vocal coach and debuted as a vocalist in 1993 in the role of Brigitta in Tchaikovsky’s “Iolanta.”

Tatiana Tretiak’s career is marked by her versatility and dedication. In 2006, she founded the string quintet “Serenade,” which has created over 20 concert programs featuring leading soloists from the theatre. In 2023, she received a grant from the President of the Republic of Belarus for her creative project “Krai Prygozhykh Lyudzey.” Since 2011, she has been a professor at the Belarusian State Academy of Music, teaching concert and solo singing.

On November 15th, Tatiana Tretiak will perform the role of Lady Macbeth, a role she describes as both vocally and dramatically challenging. “This role has been a long journey for me,” she admits. “It is not only a ‘bloody’ role in terms of its character but also vocally demanding. It is a special role, one of the most serious for a soprano in Verdi’s repertoire.”

Preparation for the role of Lady Macbeth began in 2008 with director Margarita Izvorska-Elizarieva, but the full production was realized in 2016 under the direction of Mikhail Pandzhavidze. Tatiana Tretiak’s repertoire includes leading roles in operas such as “Aida,” “Un Ballo in Maschera,” “Il Trovatore,” and “La Traviata.” Verdi’s compositions have become a cornerstone of her artistic identity.

The benefit performance of “Macbeth” will also feature People’s Artist of Belarus Vladimir Gromov and Honored Artist of the Republic of Belarus Andrei Valentiy. The conductor for the evening will be Vladimir Ovodok.

For more information, visit the Belarusian State Opera and Ballet Theatre.