The Russian State Opera of Rostov
19 November 2003

Russian State Opera of Rostov

On Friday night, November 14th, The Russian State Opera of Rostov, 'Russia's newest and most exciting company', performed Rossini's 'Barber of Seville' to a packed house in the Mahony Hall at The Helix. The Barber of Seville is the Opera's latest production and features spectacular sets and costumes. In this most famous of all Italian comic operas Count Almaviva sets out to win the heart of the beautiful Rosina by seeking the able assistance of his friend Figaro, the Barber of Seville. The performance, sung in Italian, includes some of the best know of all operatic arias, including Figaro's hugely energetic Largo al Factotum, a song unequaled in the baritone repertoire, Rosina'a Une voce poco fa (I heard a voice a little while ago), and the Count's Serenade. The opera was performed with the chorus, orchestra and ballet of The Russian State Opera of Rostov.

In their second performance, on Saturday night November 15th, the Opera presented the most famous Russian opera Eugene Onegin. This opera was written by Tchaikovsky who was inspired by Alexander Pushkin's verse novel Engene Onegin. It is a story of romance, rejection and tragedy. In the opera the young innocent Tatyana falls in love with the dashing Onegin. They are eventually driven apart by a terrible event and their paths only cross again many years later. Sung in Russian, highlights of the opera include the poignant letter scene between the lovers and the sensational Polonaise.

The Rostov region is the native land of famous Russian writer Anton Chekov and Nobel Laureate Mikhail Sholokov and Alexander Pushkin, author of Eugene Onegin paid several visits to the region. Rostov-On-Don is known as 'the of three seas' Asov, Black and Caspian, and it is the largest city in southern Russia. The Russian State Opera of Rostov was founded in 1999 to coincide with the opening of the city's new Opera House, known as The Music Theatre the building has one of the largest stages in the former Soviet Union. The company made its UK debut and it's debut at The Helix last year with their sensational production of Madame Butterfly which was nominated for a Golden Mask award. The flamboyant Alexander Anissimov, formally the moptopped maestro of our National Symphony Orchestra, has recently been appointed musical Director.

Both of the operas played to packed houses at The Helix.

The Helix is proud to present its Christmas programme: http://www.thehelix.ie/

Book early to avoid disappointment.

Christina Quinlan