THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

Marriage of operatic passion

Marriage  of operatic passion

Renowned Helikon Opera set to bring 'Un Ballo in Maschera' and 'Carmen' to festival of dance and music in September

TO PARAPHRASE Canadian poet and author Shane Koyczan, “Opera is the original marriage of words and music with a decided dramatic element”. Narrating a story through emotions evoked by music is what opera does best, and the Helikon Opera, which is scheduled for a September staging during Bangkok’s 18th International Festival of Dance and Music, excels in this area.
With a reputation of being innovative and known for putting magnificent soloists, artists and conductors on stage, the opera house certainly raises your expectations. In store for Bangkok is the two-act “Un Ballo In Maschera” on September 18, followed by the two-act “Carmen” on September 20. Both are electrifying productions, bringing together passion, music and drama.
The brainchild of Dimitry Bertman, Helikon Opera – founded in 1990 when he was only 23 – has challenged the traditional opera establishment with his take on the art form. He soon made a breakthrough and a host of prestigious awards followed, including nine Golden Masks and several Gvozd Sezona Awards (Russian Union of Theatre Workers). 
Adding to this tale of excellence, its world-class 95-member symphonic orchestra and chorus is recognised as one of the best in the world. It was a finalist at the prestigious International Opera Awards in 2013. The orchestra is directed by the theatre’s chief conductor, maestro Vladimir Ponkin, a Golden Mask laureate and People’s Artist of Russia. 
With the Helikon Opera’s destiny firmly in his hands, Dmitry Bertman, the general-director and artistic director, was honoured as a People’s Artist of Russia. He has won the Golden Mask three times, and also won the Russian Union of Theatre Workers Award GvozdSezona on three occasions. He has staged over 100 performances, including a number of Russian and world premieres. 
As well, the opera theatre has several Honoured Artists of Russia and winners of international competitions and awards among its ensemble of soloists. The brilliant sets and costumes are by Igor Nezhny and Tatiana Tulubyeva, both Honoured Artists of Russia. The light designer is Damir Ismagilov is an Honoured Art Worker of Russia. And the choreographer, Edwald Smirnov, has won several international competitions. 
As for the operas themselves, first up is Giuseppe Verdi’s two-act “Un Ballo In Maschera” (“The Masked Ball”), with a libretto by Antonio Somma. It premiered at the Teatro Apollo in Rome in 1859. 
A love triangle, where love becomes a bargaining chip in a political power play, it is inspired by the assassination in 1792 of King Gustav III of Sweden at a masked ball. The similarities end there. 
The fictionalised story of the opera is about the romance between a governor and the wife of his best friend and how conspirators plot to turn a faithful supporter into the enemy. Conspiracy, betrayal and forgiveness are all grist for this emotional opera.
On September 20, be prepared for the passion of Georges Bizet’s “Carmen”. Also a two-act opera, “Carmen” has been one of the most popular performances of Helikon Opera and has travelled the world, playing in all the leading opera houses of the world – Paris, Rome, Berlin and New York – and festivals in France and Spain. 
In 1996 it was awarded the prestigious Golden Mask, in two categories: “Best director in musical theatre” and “Best Actress”. Vibrant and edgy it is set in present-day Seville where the cigarette girls have been transformed into prostitutes, the gypsies into street gangs dealing drugs and the soldiers are regular law enforcement officers. A fast-paced narrative, the drama doesn’t stop until the last note has been sung.
For those worried about following the story line, subtitles in Thai and English will keep you abreast of the nuanced plots of both operas. 
The Festival is sponsored by Crown Property Bureau, Bangkok Bank, Bangkok Dusit Medical Services, BMW Thailand, B. Grimm Group, Dusit Thani Bangkok, Indorama Ventures, Ministry of Culture, Nation Multimedia Group, PTT, Singha Corp, Thai Airways International and the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
 
- The Helikon Opera from Moscow will stage |“Un Ballo In Maschera” on September 18 and “Carmen” |on September 20 at the Thailand Cultural Centre. 
- Seat are available www.ThaiTicketMajor.com |and (02) 262 3191.
- Find out more at www.BangkokFestivals.com.
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