Helikon-Opera tour to Baku

23.01.2009

Helikon-Opera tour to Baku

From the 14th till the 19th of January "Helikon-Opera" theatre for the second time visited Baku, a hospitable Azerbaijan capital, where on the stage of UNS theatre "Traviata" performances took place on the 16th and 18th of January. The cooperation began in 2004, when the graduates of People's Artist of Russia Dmitry Bertman's workshop presented "La Finta Giardiniera" by W. A. Mozart there. Already in 2005 "Carmen" performances were held succesfully in this young theatre. And "Traviata" this year. Baku met Helikon people with the fresh air from The Caspian sea, wonderful hotel on the seashore, delicious cuisine and warm reception from the organizers.

Both performances were held with great success. Performances were played by Helikon-Opera The Honoured Artists of Russia Nikolay Dorozhkin, Andrey Vylegzhanin, Elena Guschina, Ekaterina Oblezova, soloists Irina Samoilova, Dmitry Ovchinnikov, Mikhail Davydov, Peter Morozov, Vladimir Bolotin and the choir of Helikon-Opera theatre. The State symphonic orchestra named after Uzeir Gadjibekov was conducted by the friend of the theatre, The Honoured Worker of Arts, Professor Yalchin Adigezalov.

Baku people can easily combine job with rest. Besides participating in rehersals and performances Helikon people made an excursion around the city, visited sauna and swimming pool in the hotel, and after the last performance the party with dances and songs was held until the very morning.

The tour became possible thanks to the hostess of the UNS theatre, professor and a charming woman Nargiz Pashaeva, who being a rector of Baku department of Moscow State University, pays great attention to the development of culture of Azerbaijan. The administrative work was kept by the friend of the theatre Atesh Rzaev.

Helikon waved goodbye to Baku. The next year "Die Fliedermaus" is planned to perform there.

The Caspian sea

At the reception on the occasion of Helikon's arrival to Baku. Yalchin Adigezalov is toasting

Scene from "Traviata" performance, from left to right: Alfred - Nikolay Dorozhkin, Violetta - Irina Samoilova, Gaston - Vladimir Bolotin

Yalchin Adigezalov and Alexander Nikitin