Ilya Govsich: I have been amazed with the creative atmosphere in Helikon-opera.

21.02.2014

Ilya Govsich: I have been captured with the creative atmosphere in Helikon-opera

Helikon-opera soloist Ilya Govsich graduated from Belorussian State Academy of Music in “solo singing” and “choir conducting”. Participated in international contests, won the grant of Ministry of Foreigh Affairs of Italy, was on probation in Conservatorium named after G. Verdi in Milan, he participated in workshops of famous masters, was a participant of a youth programme of a Bolshoi theatre of Russia.

Ilya worked as a soloist in Saratov academic theatre of opera and ballet, as invited soloist of Bolshoi theatre, Samara and Chelyabinsk academic theatres of opera and ballet. Since 2013 Ilya is a soloist of Moscow music theatre “Helikon-opera” under Dmitry Bertman.

After series of performances of “The Queen of Spades”, where Ilya performed the role of Herman, he told us his first impressions:

–     Of course, I was nervous: would I be able to manage with the unusual treatment of the opera. I need to get used to it. To try to remember the vocal passages and distrubute your strengths. My hero Hermann is on stage for the whole show and listens to other characters of the opera.

This requires the additional zeroing in, if I can say so. What about actor’s side, the scenic, drama completeness, then Natalia Dychenko, the Head of Director’s Department worked with us. She is a very keen person, works with the whole espose, she knows the performance very well. This is all very important for the artists, who are entering the ready performance. I am very thankful to her for this.

–     ...the actors are entering the performance which has the long-year story of spectators love

Yes. “The Queen of Spades” was a sensation in Moscow. The performance was produced by stage director Dmitry Bertman in two variants: with choir and withour choir. The chamber mood of the production gave us a possibility to show “The Queen of Spades” not only in a capital city. Dmitry Bertman met with us, he mentioned the key moments, stressed nuances that we have to pay attention to. This was very important, because we started to understand all the cobwebs of the material.

I need to say about Helikon-opera theatre separately, the atmosphere here is amazingly beutiful. People are approachable, open for communication. The Artistic Director Dmitry Bertman, General Manager Viktoria Pavlova, they are our real tutors, who help us with pleasure and follow the creative destiny of artists of our theatre.

Can we call Hermann’s part to be a next step for your further creative career?
– Yes, certainly. If we consider music material, then this is the head role for “The Queen of Spades”. The role, which requires certain concentration, skills and devotion. I need to say, that I have never felt such a tension in other performances.

–     I saw maestro Eugene Brazhnik helping you at a rehearsal. How would you estimate his help?

–     I am very thankful to Eugene Brazhnik. I hjave heard about him long before my work in “Helikon-opera”. He isn’t only famous conductor, he is maestro, whose work with artists is very precise and detailed. Remarkable work. He knows all the nuances of the production and helps us to understand the music conception of the performance. His working principle is understandable, simple and particular. He is a truly opera conductor, which is a rare thing today.

–     Are you satisfied with your destiny?

–     I think every person should enjoy his life, as much as he can. This is not always naturally, sometimes you should make yourself to think positively. Parents are alive and healthy, you have friends, work, hands, legs, head and that’s great. The rest... many things could happen. I am happy that I am in a profession.

–     Your friends and relatives visited “The Queen of Spades”. What were their impressions?

–     My sister Dasha and my girlfriend Lena came to see the premiere, their support was significant for me. Also the Head of the troupe of the Bolshoi theatre, the unique singer, the People’s Artist of USSR, who shone at many prestigious opera scenes of the world, Makvala Kasrashwili visited  the performance. During my probation in Bolshoi theatre I was happy to get acquainted with her. Olga Scheglova, her student, performed the part of Lisa. The attention of Makvala Kasrashwili was very importnat for us both. And certainly, our creative inspirer, our beloved Dmitry Bertman and stunning Viktoria Pavlova visited the show.

–     I evaluate the result as a spectator. I had the vibration inside and thank you for this.

–     Thanks.

–     A couple of standart questions about your plans. What are the next heights?

–     Now I have the notes of “Un ballo in maschera” by G. Verdi, “Rusalka” by A. Dvorak. These performances are my nearest plans in “Helikon-opera”. Also “Carmen” by G. Bizet, which I have already sang, that is why I don’t have to study this. I anticipate the fruitful work.

Interviewed by Denis Ryabtsev