- Novaya Opera Theatre
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The Kolobov Novaya Opera Theatre of Moscow (Russian: Новая Опера) (novaya means "new")[1] is a theatre in Moscow, located at 3 Karetny Ryad.[2] It was founded in 1991 by Russian conductor Yevgeny Kolobov and then Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov.[3][4] It is accessible via metro from Pushkinskaya, Tverskaya or Mayakovskaya.
The theatre is a member of the Opera Europa International Association, since 1999.[5]
Contents
History
A theatre originally began in the Hermitage Garden in 1892 under the initiative of Yakov Shchukin and opened in 1894 as an open air theatre. It attracted tens of thousands of people and opera singers, orchestras and circus artistes from across Europe.[6] In 1910, a modernist "Mirror Theatre", designed by Novikov, was inaugurated with a spot designated for open air performances. After the demise of the Soviet Union, the central government passed it to the Novaya opera, who, with the Austrian contractor Lennex and chief architect Vladimir Kotelnikov, built a new theatre, utilising some of the architectural elements of the Mirror Theatre.[6] It opened on 27 December 1997 in a new building with a gala concert featuring artists such as Dmitry Khvorostovsky, Paata Burchuladze, soloists of the Ebony Opera. The premier was viewed by then mayor of Moscow Yuri Luzhkov, then Russian President's wife, Naina Yeltsin and other eminent persons.[6]
Architecture and fittings
The building is of Art Nouveau style.[4] It has a seating capacity for over 700.[1] The Opera Theatre has modern acoustics, lighting, video and audio recording facilities.[5]
Features
The Opera Theatre is organized under three specialized branches namely, the Novaya Opera Soloists, the Novaya Opera Orchestra and the Novaya Opera Choir. The renowned artists drawn from these disciplines undertake tours, under the Theatre’s banner, all over the world.[5]
The Novaya Opera Soloists are opera singers of the theatre, many of whom have won accolades for their singing prowess. They also collaborate with other leading theatrical establishments in Russia; the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia, Metropolitan Opera, Arena di Verona are some of the leading thetres where they give performances.[5]
The Orchestra branch is integral to the theatre's operatic performances and involves participation of distinguished conductors of the theatre. This branch also undertakes performances of symphony programmes (the "repertoire" covers symphonies and symphonic compositions of many artists who are well known in the field) in other concert halls also; some the famous halls in Russia are the Grand Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall both in Moscow and the St.Petersburg Philharmonic.[5]
The Novaya Opera Choir provides the essential amalgamation of “professional singers with fine voices and good acting abilities”. The touring branch of the Opera Theatre has performed in many countries such as Greece, Cyprus, Italy, the USA, France, Israel, Finland, Estonia, Spain, Portugal, Yugoslavia, Turkey, Thailand, Belorussia, Ukraine and many cities within Russia.[5]
Performances
Various performance types have been associated with this venue, including opera, orchestral concerts, and ballet.[1] The operas performed at the theatre are almost entirely classical, those of note being Verdi's La traviata, Tchaikovsky's Onegin, and Rimsky Korsakov's Snow Maiden.[7] The theatre plays host to an annual “Epiphany Week” festival,[8] which runs for slightly more than two weeks.[9]
Notable people
Yevgeny Kolobov (1991–2003) was its first conductor until his death in 2003.[10] Subsequent conductors have been Felix Korobov (2004–2006) and Eri Klas (2006–present). Eri Klas is the theatre's music director.[11] The artistic staff includes Natalya Popovich who is head of the theatre's Artistic Board and serves as Chief Choirmaster.[12] Sergey Lysenko was the initial general director, while Valery Raku was the vice-director and chief of casting.[2]
Awards
The theatre has the honour of receiving many awards, some of the notable ones are the Sony BMG Greece Award and the theatrical award "Week Star" bestowed by the German newspaper “Abendzeitung”, apart from many prestigious awards of Russia like the Casta Diva Russian opera prize and the national prize "Triumph" given to Evgeny Kolobov.[5]
References
- ^ a b c Chater, Jennifer; Toohey, Nathan (1 May 2009). Moon Moscow and St. Petersburg. PublicAffairs. pp. 132–. ISBN 9781598801712. http://books.google.com/books?id=1ofZg7Rob-EC&pg=PA132. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
- ^ a b Wemyss, Jennifer (1 January 2007). British and international music yearbook. Rhinegold Publishing Ltd.. ISBN 9781904226925. http://books.google.com/books?id=SSNMAAAAYAAJ. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
- ^ Vorhees, Mara (1 March 2009). Moscow. Lonely Planet. p. 190. ISBN 9781740598248. http://books.google.com/books?id=RJPJW4yF3I4C&pg=PA190. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
- ^ a b Kishkovsky, Sophia (17 June 2003). "Yevgeny Kolobov, 57; Founded an Opera Theater". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/17/arts/yevgeny-kolobov-57-founded-an-opera-theater.html. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Our Theatre". The Kolobov Novaya Opera Theatre of Moscow. http://www.novayaopera.ru/en/content/theatre_about_eng.html. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
- ^ a b c "Our History". The Kolobov Novaya Opera Theatre of Moscow. http://www.novayaopera.ru/en/content/theatre_history_en.html. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
- ^ Charlton, Angela (2 February 2010). Frommer's Moscow & St. Petersburg. Frommer's. p. 183. ISBN 9780470537633. http://books.google.com/books?id=luq-yGD0vAAC&pg=PA183. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
- ^ Stults, Raymond (15 February 2010). "Novaya Opera’s ‘Iolanta’ Is a Jewel, Best in City". The Moscow Times. http://www.themoscowtimes.com/arts_n_ideas/article/novaya-operas-iolanta-is-a-jewel-best-in-city/399745.html. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
- ^ Stults, Raymond (12 January 2011). "Novaya Opera Launches 7th Epiphany Week Fest". The Moscow Times. http://www.themoscowtimes.com/mobile/article/428368.html. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
- ^ Beumers, Birgit (2005). Pop culture Russia!: media, arts, and lifestyle. ABC-CLIO. p. xxx. ISBN 9781851094592. http://books.google.com/books?id=Hix8AyteLN8C&pg=PR30. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
- ^ Stults, Raymond (November 7, 2008). "A Truly Wacky Barber : Novaya Opera stages an inventive version of Rossini's "The Barber of Seville."". http://www.novayaopera.ru/en/list2/pressreview/100.html. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
- ^ "ARTISTIC STAFF / Natalya Popovich, Head of the Artistic Board of the Theatre, Chief Choirmaster of the Theatre". novayaopera.ru. http://www.novayaopera.ru/en/list2/artistic_staff/46.html. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
External links
Categories:- Building and structure articles needing translation from Russian Wikipedia
- Theatres in Moscow
- Performing groups established in 1991
- Opera houses in Russia
- 1991 establishments in Russia
- Art Nouveau buildings in Moscow
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