“KLASnaya OPERA”

Moscow musical theatre under Dmitry Bertman presents

The 23rd of February, 19.00
“Helikon in Arbat”, Novy Arbat, 11

A gala concert “KLASnaya OPERA” with conductor Eri Klas, soloists, chorus and orchestra of “Helikon-opera” theatre under Dmitry Bertman

On the 23rd of February Moscow musical “Helikon-opera” theatre under Dmitry Bertman presents a concert program “KLASnaya OPERA” with conductor Eri Klas, soloists, chorus and orchestra of the theatre.

Maestro Eri Klas is a world famous Estonian conductor, the People’s Artist of Russia, a professor of Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. In his creative life Eri Klas cooperated with many theatres: for more than 10 years with Bolshoi, he was the principal conductor of Swedish Royal Opera in 80ies, he had been the member of “Estonia” National Opera for 30 years, 20 of them as an artistic director and principal conductor. Since 2006 to 2011 he had been the principal conductor of Novaya Opera theatre.

Eri Klas was also the principal conductor of the Symphonic orchestra of Aarhus in Denmark, Symphonic orchestra of Radio of The Netherlands, artistic director of Tampere philharmonic orchestra. He worked with more than 100 orchestras from 40 countries of the world. At present Eri Klas is an artistic director of Tallinn Philharmonic, he is the first invited conductor of the Finnish National Opera and permanent artistic director of International Birgita festival in Estonia.

Maestro Eri Klas and Moscow’s Helikon-opera are tightly connected with years of creative friendship. For many times Helikon-opera have been visiting Estonia with performances and concert programs. For 6 times Helikon-opera participated in Birgitta festival. Last time it was in 2011, with performances of “Carmen” and “Rusalka”. Eri Klas conducted theatre’s performances both in Estonia and on Moscow’s stage.

Creative life of Helikon-opera’s artistic director Dmitry Bertman is closely connected with Eri Klas’ homeland Estonia. Bertman staged several performances on stage of “Estonia” National Opera. For production of “Wallenberg” opera by Errki Sven-Tüür The President of Estonia awarded Dmitry Bertman by the Order of Santa Maria Land and Estonia National Prize. Bertman is also a laureate of Estonian Theatrical Union Prize. In August 2012 Dmitry Bertman will stage “Faust” by Ch. Gounod, the premiere of which will take place on stage of “Estonia” National Opera on the 20th September.

According to a tradition only the beautiful part of the troupe will enter the stage on the 23rd of February. It is a “Devichnik”, where female participate. This year the People’s Artist of Russia Larisa Kostiuk, Marina Karpecheno, Ekaterina Oblezova, Ksenia Viaznikova, Anna Grechishkina, laureates of international contests Elena Semenova, Maria Maskhulia, Elena Mikhailenko and female part of the choir will perform the scenes from works by P. I. Tchaikovsky, G. Bizet, G. Verdi, G. Gershwin, J. Strauss. The People’s Artist of Russia maestro Eri Klas will conduct the orchestra that evening. The stage director of the program is Dmitry Bertman. Among the guests of “Helikon-opera” will be maestro’s friends and fans. There also will be an Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia in Russia Simmu Tiik.

The People’s Artist of RSFSR, The People’s Artist of Ukraine Alexander Goloborod’ko will take part in this concert. Klas and Goloborod’ko got acquainted during a shooting of a film about the medieval Estonia “The last treasure” by G. Kromanov, where Alexander Goloborod’ko played the main role and where Eri Klas took part in the recording of original music of Estonian composers Uno and Tyno Naissoo. In 1971 this film became the leader of the distribution in the Soviet Union, collecting 45 millions of spectators.