The beginning of the 29th season of the International Music Festival ‘Palaces of St. Petersburg’ (artistic director Maria Safaryants)

May 22, 2021 The 29th season of the International Music Festival ‘Palaces of St. Petersburg’ began with a solemn concert in honor of the opening of the suite of restored halls of the Mikhailovsky Castle (Artistic Director – Maria Safaryants). The honor to hold the first concert dedicated to this significant event was given to the Foundation of the Festival ‘Palaces of St. Petersburg’.

The guests of the evening saw all the restored ceremonial halls of the Mikhailovsky Castle from the time of Paul I – Voskresensky, Throne, Arabesque Gallery, apartments of the chamber-maid of honor Protasova, Chief Marshal Naryshkin, Chief Stealmaster Kutaisov, lost in the 19th century.

The concert presented the favorite works of the ‘composers of fate’ of the owner of the Mikhailovsky Castle – Emperor Pal I. Virtuoso arias and scenes from the opera ‘The Magic Flute’, one of the most incomprehensible and brilliant creations of the composer – the 40th symphony, the first Russian work created in the symphony genre – a concert symphony by Dmitry Bortnyansky, and even the anthem of the Order of Malta, whose grandmaster was Paul I, was presented by brilliant performers!

The concert was accompanied by the Tauride International Symphony Orchestra. Maestro Vasily Sinaisky shone at the conductor’s podium. Arias and scenes from operas were performed by some of the brightest soloists of the Yerevan Opera who conquered the best stages of world theaters: Liparit Avetisyan (tenor), Mary Movsisyan (soprano), Hasmik Torosyan (coloratura soprano), Kim Sargsyan (baritone).

Liparit Avetisyan, the owner of a velvety, beautifully colored voice, has won the love of the Russian public long time ago. Winner of many Russian and international awards, including the prestigious Golden Mask, today the tenor is one of the most sought-after performers. His track record includes performances on the stage of the London Royal Opera Covent Garden, the Yerevan State Opera and Ballet Theater named after A. Spendiarov, the German Opera of Berlin, the National Opera on the Rhine in Strasbourg, the Cologne Opera, the Zurich Opera and many others. Liparit regularly participates in plays of the Bolshoi Theater.

Mary Movsisyan (soprano), Kim Sargsyan (baritone) are bright rising stars whose brilliant performances of scenes from the opera ‘The Magic Flute’ have already conquered the stage of world opera houses.

Hasmik Torosyan (coloratura soprano) is a soloist of the Yerevan Opera, who over the past few years has captivated the discerning European audience. Hasmik is a laureate of many prestigious music competitions, actively performs in France, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Finland, Great Britain, USA, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Italy, South Korea, Russia, Lebanon with various concert projects.

Maestro Vasily Sinaisky is a representative of the stellar constellation brought up by the legendary Ilya Musin. Each concert with the participation of the maestro is truly a cultural event!

The connection between the Russian emperor and the Austrian composer was very close. During the second visit of the royal couple Pavel Petrovich and Maria Feodorovna to Vienna, they were given an opera by the great composer, and the author himself sat at the harpsichord and directed the performance!

The ‘OUR DUTY’ Charitable Foundation congratulates the artistic director of the festival, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation, Honored Artist of Russia Maria Sarkisovna Safaryants with the magnificent opening of the next season!