The long-awaited return of Mechislav Weinberg

MOSCOW. Premieres of operas by Mechislav Weinberg and the opening of the International Forum.

Stravinsky, declared the main composer of 2017, will have to make a little room on the symbolic podium. Theaters, as if catching on, one by one offer productions of operas by Mechislav Weinberg not only in Russia, but also abroad. "Passenger" in the capital’s New Opera and Yekaterinburg Opera, "Idiot" in the Bolshoi. On February 16, the International Forum of Mechislav Weinberg opened in Moscow, which will make a tangible contribution to the popularization of the works of the outstanding composer. The forum will include creative meetings, round tables, press conferences, exhibitions, concerts and performances.

For a long time, operas, symphonies, quartets, chamber works of the composer remained in the shadows. Too complicated and tragic, according to officials from the art, was his music. And the months spent in custody did not contribute to the successful development of his career. During the Case of Pest Physicians, the uncle of his first wife, Natalia, Miron Semenovich Vovsi, was arrested. Her father, the famous actor and director Solomon Mikhoels, in 1948 became a victim of political assassination. Belonging to such a family during the years of the unbridled anti-Semitic company was enough to end up in jail. From the sure death of Weinberg, only the death of Stalin and the courageous intercession of Dmitry Shostakovich saved.

For many, Weinberg for a long time remained only the creator of amazing music for feature, documentary and animated films. It’s enough to mention at least “Cranes are flying” and “Winnie the Pooh”. Finally, the time has come for his classic heritage. Within the framework of the forum, two versions of the opera about the prisoners of Auschwitz "Passenger", which Shostakovich considered a real masterpiece, will be shown. At the Yekaterinburg Opera House, her premiere took place in September last year. In the New Opera recently - at the end of January. The fresh premiere of the Bolshoi, "Idiot", is a production of the famous Israeli director Eugene Arie.

Elena Tanakova © Gallerix.ru