The Bolshoi Theatre of Russia Tours Minsk: Experience the Opera ‘The Tsar’s Bride’ and Ballet ‘Ivan the Terrible’
Bolshoi Theatre of Russia to Perform in Minsk
From November 22nd, the stage of the Bolshoi Theatre of Belarus will host the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia. Nearly 400 artists will arrive in Minsk to present the opera “The Tsar’s Bride” and the ballet “Ivan the Terrible”.
A Historic Exchange
In October 2022, after a long hiatus, the Bolshoi Theatre of Belarus toured the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia. This event was significant for both the Minsk troupe and Moscow audiences. The Historical Stage featured unique performances, including the national opera “The Wild Hunt of King Stakh” by V. Soltan and the ballet “The Nutcracker” by P.I. Tchaikovsky.
The general directors of the two Bolshoi Theatres, Ekaterina Dulova from Minsk and Vladimir Urin from Moscow, agreed that the Moscow Bolshoi would perform in Minsk as part of an exchange tour. Consequently, the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia will tour the Bolshoi Theatre of Belarus from November 22 to 26 this year. Audiences will see two performances, each delving into the dramatic periods of Russian history during the reign of Ivan the Terrible.
Opera: “The Tsar’s Bride” by N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov
On November 22 and 23, the opera “The Tsar’s Bride” by N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov will be performed. This opera explores the unattainability of happiness in love and the destructive power of jealousy within the dramatic context of 16th-century Russian history during the reign of Ivan the Terrible.
The opera at the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia has a history spanning over a century, featuring renowned directors, musicians, and artists such as Antonina Nezhdanova, Nadezhda Obukhova, Boris Pokrovsky, Nikolai Golovanov, Yevgeny Svetlanov, and Fyodor Fyodorovsky. The historical decorations restored in 2014 by F. Fyodorovsky adorn the modern production of “The Tsar’s Bride.” The musical director of this performance is the famous conductor Gennady Rozhdestvensky.
On November 22 and 23, the invited conductor of the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia, Konstantin Chudovsky, will be at the helm. The main roles will be performed by Elchin Azizov, Andrei Potaturin, Olga Seliverstova, Anastasia Sorokina, Agunda Kulaeva, Ksenia Dudnikova, Behzod Davronov, Konstantin Artemyev, Nikolai Kazansky, Pyotr Melentyev, and Andrei Valenty, a honored artist of the Republic of Belarus and an invited artist of the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia.
Ballet: “Ivan the Terrible” to Music by S.S. Prokofiev
On November 25 and 26, the ballet “Ivan the Terrible” will be performed, featuring music by S.S. Prokofiev compiled by M. Chulaki. Yuri Grigorovich, the choreographer, has stated that the music, rather than the historical events, was the primary inspiration for creating the ballet. The production’s artist is Simon Virsaladze, a frequent collaborator of Grigorovich.
“Ivan the Terrible” is one of Yuri Grigorovich’s most famous ballets, focusing on the conflict between strong, extraordinary personalities, namely Tsar Ivan and his associate Prince Kurbsky. The ballet premiered in 1975 and was part of the theater’s repertoire until 1990. After a hiatus of over twenty years, the ballet was revived in 2012. The leading roles will be performed by stars of the Bolshoi, familiar to Belarusian audiences: Svetlana Zakharova, Denis Rodkin, Mikhail Lobukhin, Anna Nikulina, and Artemiy Belyakov.
The conductor will be Pavel Klinichev, a honored artist of Russia.
A Grand Ensemble
While artists from the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia have performed in Minsk before, the November tour will bring a large ensemble from Moscow, with nearly 400 members. The last time the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia visited the Bolshoi Theatre of Belarus was in 2009, presenting the ballet “Swan Lake” by P.I. Tchaikovsky, choreographed by Yuri Grigorovich. The performance featured stars such as Svetlana Zakharova, Nikolai Tsiskaridze, and Andrei Uvarov, with Pavel Klinichev conducting. The show marked the opening of the Year of Russian Culture in Belarus.
For more information, visit the official website.
