On the eve of the anniversary Stars

Maestro Gergiev invited journalists to speak about the ХХ International Stars of the White Nights Music Festival which will run from 25 May to 15 July 2012. At the press-conference the maestro was joined by Cecilia Bartoli, who in turn presented the programme for her recital on 22 March and shared her impressions of rehearsals so far.

“This year’s anniversary festival represents a tremendous biography and rich history,” maestro Gergiev noted. “The festival began at a difficult time, it was 1993. I remember the first one very well indeed. The city needed a festival and I had friends who reacted to my idea. The budget for the first festival was six thousand roubles, at that time that was enough to organise a banquet and nothing more. All of the performers appeared without any fees. Now we are working on a documentary about the history of the  Stars of the White Nights which will be broadcast internationally.”

Among the festival’s intriguing features, Gergiev hinted at Modest Musorgsky’s opera Boris Godunov staged by Graham Vick, which will be “a demanding test for the theatre’s technical complex.” Khovanshchina, another opera by Musorgsky, will feature Olga Borodina and Vladimir Galuzin in the lead roles, and the maestro stated that it will be “one of the key anniversary events” – “such historic productions are ‘calling cards’ and express the spirit of the festival.” One dazzling premiere of the anniversary festival will come with Giuseppe Verdi’s Requiem staged by Daniele Finzi Pasca. “Daniele is a very interesting and unique stage director whose production of Aida at the Concert Hall was performed dozens of times to great acclaim. Audiences and critics alike praised the production to the highest degree.”

The maestro focussed the attention of the press on the festival’s chamber music programme which includes the series All of Mozart’s Sonatas, to be performed by Christian Blackshaw. “He has performed this programme to great acclaim at Wigmore Hall, London’s most prestigious venue for chamber music.” There will also be performances of all of Brahms’ symphonies and instrumental concerti. “The soloists are showing a deep and extra interest in these performances. I have been conducting all of Brahms’ symphonies for a long time now, but I have never conducted all four during one festival.”

“The strength of our theatre lies in the fact that the result does not depend on famous guest singers.” Of the operatic stars due to appear at the festival the maestro highlighted Olga Borodina, Anna Netrebko, Maria Guleghina and Ferruccio Furlanetto.

The festival programme will feature performances by the Symphony Orchestra of the Teatro alla Scala – one concert under the baton of Valery Gergiev and a second under Fabio Luisi. Moreover, other illustrious ensembles including the chamber orchestras of the Berliner and Wiener Philharmoniker. Gergiev stressed the fact that this year’s festival includes a heady list of violinists and pianists, particularly noting the presence of Scottish percussionist Evelyn Glennie.

The maestro then welcomed Cecilia Bartoli following a rehearsal, who has come to St Petersburg for four days to give one concert and work with unique manuscripts in the Mariinskt Theatre’s archives. The maestro stressed that the programme for the recital was chosen by Bartoli herself – works by Rossini and Mozart and one piece by Donizetti. “In the near future we would like to use the riches of our archives and bring back to life works that were created for St Petersburg, in particular pieces by Italian composers such as Paisiello, Cimarosa, Traetta, Sarti and Galuppi. Cecilia specialises in performing maestri of that specific era and she is the one who can present it in all its richness.”

Bartoli shared her impressions of her first rehearsal at the Concert Hall of the Mariinsky Theatre, calling it “a fantastic experience.” “Here there is the most amazing sound, it soars, and with the greatest of ease one can attain incredible nuances and precise dynamics. A singer can draw a portrait here with his or her voice.”

The legendary opera diva has come to St Petersburg for the Mariinsky Theatre, its audience, its unique historical archives and the city itself. “I decided to arrive by ship from Lübeck. Because in Rome we never see snow or ice, and for me it was such a delight, so enchanting to be on a boat surrounded by ice. I had to feel that anxious ‘overcoming.’”

The singer also spoke to critics of the Salzburg festival programme which she is directing this year and why it is being dedicated to Cleopatra, a woman who has inspired artists, musicians and writers for centuries throughout humanity.

Details about the festival programme >>