Finishing the cycle of events devoted to Galina Vishnevskaya’s anniversary Opera Centre made a tour in Baku. On the stage of Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre were performed operas from Russian repertoire – “The Tsar’s Bride” by N. Rimsky-Korsakov (December 21) and “Iolanta” by P. Tchaikovsky (December 24). Both evenings the Theatre, which will celebrate its centenary in one year, was filled to the full by Baku’s music lovers. This year the capital of Azerbaijan has been hosted soloists of Opera Centre already three times: in February apprentices of Galina Vishnevskaya participated in Festival devoted to 100-anniversary of D.D. Shostakovich and initiator of which was M.Rostropovich; in September they performed on the stage of Baku Philharmonic and this time Opera Centre brought two opera productions.
According to the head of humanitarian department of Azerbaijan President’s Administration Ms. Fatima Abdulla-zade – “by audience feedback shows that productions of Opera Centre are the genuine productions even taking considerations the age and a moderate stage experience of the soloists. They possess talent, skills, and behind them – mastery of Galina Vishnevskaya. She could create a true creative laboratory brought some magic in the process of creation of new talents”.
In Azerbaijan all year 2006 is announced the Year of Russian Culture and has been carried out on the highest level by Ministries of Cultures of both countries and Federal Agency of Culture and Cinematography of RF. In such a way the final tour of Opera Centre in 2006 became an informal closing of this major intergovernmental project.