Ruggero Leoncavallo’s opera Pagliacci was performed at the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater on May 21 as a part of the VIII International Mstislav Rostropovich Festival. This is the latest premiere of the Galina Vishnevskaya Opera Centre. The performance took place with the full house, and the delighted audience gave a genuine ovation in the end. Performers sang perfectly well, played selflessly and with enthusiasm. Vivid and spectacularly staged production by director Ivan Popovski and set designer Andrey Klimov blended in with the atmosphere of the beautiful Baku theater with a century-long history. The Opera Centre’s Orchestra under the baton of Alexander Soloviev has performed on a highest level as well.
The next day the Baku State Philharmonic hosted a triumphant performance of the orchestra ensemble and its soloists, together with the Rostropovich Foundation scholarship holders. Works by Vivaldi, Haydn, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev were played by young musicians with inspiration, fully appreciated by the public. Temperamental Baku audience has welcomed Alexander Malofeev (piano) particularly warmly.
Two nights featuring the soloists and orchestra of the Galina Vishnevskaya Opera Centre have become a true ornament of the International Mstislav Rostropovich Festival.