(MENAFN- AzerNews)
Laman Ismayilova read more Giacomo Puccini is well-known as one of the finest Italian
composers, whose operas, including La Boheme, Tosca, Madama
Butterfly, and Turandot are among the most frequently performed
worldwide.
Puccini stands in line with prominent composers, like Pietro
Mascagni, Ruggero Leoncavallo, Umberto Giordano, and Francesco
Cilea, who composed music pieces in verismo style (realism).
Annually, the Azerbaijani State Academic Opera and Ballet
Theater astonishes fans of classical music and Italian opera with
Giacomo Puccini's masterpieces.
The opera theater has presented the composer's one of most
intense and exciting operas.
Being one of the best works of opera classics, Tosca is still
very popular and is in the repertoire of the theater.
The plot is based on a fusion of love intrigues and political
adventures from the time of the first conquests of Napoleon.
Giacomo Puccini's was conducted by the principal guest conductor
Honored Artist of Azerbaijan Ayyub Guliyev of the State Academic
Opera and Ballet Theater.
This performance was especially important for the theater team,
which devoted it to People's Artist Ali Asgarov.
'I would like to speak about the part of a jailer in the opera.
People's Artist Ali Asgarov used to perform this role.
Unfortunately, he passed away on February 23, 2023. This is a big
loss not only for the theater but also for the whole Azerbaijani
musical culture. For many years, he embodied some of the most
memorable opera characters. His voice is a treasure of not only
Azerbaijani but also world culture. Now the jailer part is being
performed by the soloist of the theater's choir Nazim Mahmudov',
Guliyev told azernews .
Speaking about the opera performance, the renowned conductor
said that the theater management invited the leading soloist of the
Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Moscow Academic Music Theater
Irina Vashchenko for the role of Tosca, while the leading soloist
of the National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet of Belarus,
People's Artist of Belarus Vladimir Gromov performed the role of
Scarpia.
'Vladimir Gromov has repeatedly appeared in our opera
productions, for example in Puccini's opera La Boheme, Mozart's
Marriage of Figaro, and Rossini's The Barber of Seville. He is most
beloved by the Baku audience for the role of Scarpia. Thanks to his
incredible talents, Vladimir Gromov immediately grabbed the
audience's attention. Gromov is always open to new ideas. It is
very enjoyable to work with him. He shared the same stage with
amazing soloist Irina Vashchenko, who enchanted the audience with
her voice. In general, the opera performance was very impressive,
dynamic, and emotional. Vladimir Gromov, Irina Vashchenko, and
Honored Artist of Azerbaijan Azar Rzazada captivated the audience.
Honored Artist Tural Agasiyev brilliantly performed the role of
Spoletta, young baritone Agshin Xudaverdiyev made a good debut on
the theater stage, People's Artist of Azerbaijan Akram Poladov left
a deep impression on the audience,' the conductor said.
'Puccini's opera Tosca has always been sold out, and this time
is no exception. The audience is undoubtedly attracted by fantastic
music and new set design, made by Russian artist Dmitry Cherbadzhi.
He is considered one of the finest minds in this field. Dmitry
Cherbadzhi actively cooperates with famous opera theaters,
including Azerbaijani State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater. He
also stands behind the set design of the ballet Goya, one- based on
the music of the outstanding Azerbaijani composers Gara Garayev and
Faraj Garayev. Dmitry Cherbadzhi will also work on the stage design
of the ballet Le Corsaire to be shown on March 26. I can say that
Tosca is one of his greatest works. After the ballet performance,
the audience was enthused over the stenography and colorful
costumes,' he added.
In conclusion, Ayyub Guliyev hailed the performance of the
theater's choir, and symphonic orchestra as well as young talent
Fatima, who sang the shepherd boy's song at the start of act 3.
'The theater's choir and symphonic orchestra are constantly
working on themselves. More and more young talents are joining the
theater. The opera's youngest singer Fatima sang the shepherd boy's
song at the start of act 3. Her voice is very memorable. I would
like to note that this opera fragment has not been played for a
long time due to the lack of a suitable children's voice. Now the
gap is filled. All opera participants demonstrated fantastic
performance, which resonated deep in the hearts of spectators,'
said Guliyev.
Azerbaijani State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater will further
thrill opera lovers with wonderful performances and pay tribute to
Azerbaijan's outstanding cultural figures.
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