Days of Russian Culture in Serbia

On September 26, the Days of Russian Culture in Serbia will start in the Belgrade Sava Center. The audience will be presented with masterpieces of world ballet along with musical creations performed by the stars of the Mariinsky Theater and the choir of the State Academic Capella of St. Petersburg. The project, prepared by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, is aimed at strengthening and further developing the cultural ties existing between Russia and Serbia for many years.

“Russia and Serbia are old friends and partners. The interaction of our countries in the areas of politics, economy and culture is always positive, ”emphasizes the Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation Vladimir Medinsky. “ The Days of Russian Culture in Serbia program gives us the opportunity to express our warmest feelings for the Serbian people in the language of music and dance.”

Days of Russian culture in Serbia will open on September 26 with a grand gala concert of ballet soloists of leading Russian theaters. The program, specially prepared for the project, will allow the audience of the Sava Center to see not only classical masterpieces, but also get acquainted with the productions of modern choreography. On this gala evening, a delightful couple of the Mikhailovsky Theater will perform on the stage of the Belgrade Cultural Center - refined Irina Perren and “King of Classical Support” Marat Shemiunov; the brightest stars of the Mariinsky Theater - laureate of international awards, winner of the V International Ballet Award DANCE OPEN 2014 Vladimir Shklyarov and prima ballerina Viktoria Tereshkina, one of the most sought-after Russian performers, laureate of the DANCE OPEN award 2011 and 2010; Honored Artist of Russia, “Dancer of the Year 2005” according to a survey by Dance Europe magazine Anton Korsakov; charismatic Oleg Markov and amazing Natalia Povoroznyuk are soloists of the Boris Eifman Ballet Theater and many others.

Irina Perren. Photo by Katya Kravtsova

Vladimir Shklyarov and Victoria Tereshkina. Photo by Katya Kravtsova

On September 27, residents and guests of the capital of Serbia will be able to enjoy the performance of soloists of the opera of the leading Russian theaters. “Bright sonorous tenor and brilliant actor”, soloist of the Bolshoi Theater of Russia Alexey Dolgov; the soloist of the Novaya Opera Theater, the invited soloist of the Bolshoi Theater, baritone Vasily Ladyuk, who in 2001 was called the “creative discovery of the year”, and in 2005 he won the prestigious Placido Domingo contest “Operalia”; world opera diva, soloist of the Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theater, guest soloist of the Bolshoi and Mariinsky theaters, brilliant artist Veronika Dzhioeva, winner of the Bolshoi Opera television project and charming mezzo-soprano, star of the Mariinsky Theater, guest soloist of the Bolshoi Theater of Russia Ekaterina Sergeeva opera scene of the world. Schedules of performances of the artists are planned for years to come, so the participation of the stars of the Russian opera in the project “Days of Russian Culture in Serbia” is a real gift for connoisseurs and admirers of opera. In the concert program - the best of the best. Spectators will hear famous arias of world famous opera works: “Eugene Onegin” by P. Tchaikovsky, “Don Juan” by V. A. Mozart, “The Barber of Seville” by J. Rossini, “Carmen” by J. Bizet. Fragments from the legendary operettas of I. Strauss and I. Kalman will be a real surprise for the guests of the concert. The concert will be accompanied by the Radio and Television Symphony Orchestra of Serbia conducted by Boyan Sudžić. That evening, Alim Shah (Shakhmametiev), artistic director of the Bolshoi Symphony Orchestra of the Opera and Ballet Theater of the St. Petersburg Conservatory named after N. A. Rimsky-Korsakoy, chief conductor of the Novosibirsk Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra will also stand at the conductor’s console. Today Alim Shakhmametyev is widely known throughout the world. He constantly collaborates with many orchestras in Russia, Europe and the USA, participates in international festivals, holds seminars and master classes. In the repertoire of the conductor, the works of classics coexist with the works of modern composers. His interpretations of the talented works of prominent contemporary composers are so successful that the conductor enjoys special respect among them.

Alexey Dolgov

Vasily Ladyuk

Veronika Dzhioeva

The project of Days of Russian Culture in Serbia will complete the concerts of the choir of the State Academic Capella of St. Petersburg, which will take place on October 20 in the capital Sava Center, on October 21 in the Belgrade Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel, on October 22 in the Church of the Holy Trinity of Niš and on October 23 in the Synagogue Novi Sad. The audience is waiting for a long-awaited meeting with St. Petersburg choristers, world-famous and long-loved in Serbia.

Choir of the State Academic Capella of St. Petersburg

The singing chapel of St. Petersburg dates back to 1479: the sovereign singing clerks of Ivan III became the first professional choir of Russia. After the founding of St. Petersburg, the team not only took part in the celebrations undertaken by Peter I on this occasion, but also moved to the new capital. The choir changed its name many times, but invariably kept the highest professional bar. Collaboration with prominent musicians and composers from different eras, many of which were created especially for the Capella, contributed to this: M. I. Glinka, D. S. Bortnyansky, A. F. Lvov, M. A. Balakirev, N. A. Rimsky- Korsakov and others.

Having survived difficult times, the choir literally revived after the Great Patriotic War under the direction of the outstanding choirmaster Georgy Dmitrevsky.

The St. Petersburg Capella Choir has been known in Serbia as the Glinka Choir for more than three decades. He toured in Serbia even during the most difficult period for the country: the choir sang at Kolarchy University in Belgrade on April 15, 1999, during the bombing period. It was the voice of Russia, which provided the people of Serbia with important spiritual support.

Performances of the choir will be led by the People’s Artist of the USSR, State Prize Laureate of Russia Vladislav Chernushenko. One of the largest Russian musicians has been leading the legendary choir of St. Petersburg for many years. It is with the activities of Vladislav Alexandrovich that a new upsurge in the performing life of the Capella is associated. Over the years, he has made a huge contribution to the preservation and development of the best traditions of the St. Petersburg music school, to the preservation of the unique creative potential, which is its faculty.

The events of the Days of Russian Culture in Serbia will not only acquaint guests with the achievements of the leading artists of our country in the field of performing arts, but will also contribute to the strengthening of long-term relationships that bind our countries with strong bonds of friendship for many decades.