On 2 November a significant agreement was signed between Mikhail Kotyukov, the Governor of Krasnoyarsk Krai (Krasnoyarsk Region), and Valery Gergiev, the esteemed General Director of the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia and Artistic and General Director of the Mariinsky Theatre. This partnership aims to bolster the development of musical and theatrical arts within Russia, with a particular focus on Krasnoyarsk.
The agreement outlines a collaborative framework between Krasnoyarsk Krai and Russia’s two foremost musical theatres, paving the way for a range of educational, outreach and creative initiatives. These encompass the creation of new productions, concerts, masterclasses, seminars, and the facilitation of artist exchanges. A key aspect of this partnership will be the preservation and celebration of the legacy of Dmitri Hvorostovsky, the celebrated baritone who was born in Krasnoyarsk and went on to achieve international acclaim.
“While the specifics of how cultural infrastructure will develop here are not ours to determine,” commented Valery Gergiev, “we can certainly contribute to enriching the artistic life of a theatre or philharmonic. This can be achieved through our presence, performances, and by engaging the talented artists within our network. I believe that, now more than ever, the country’s principal venues should extend their reach and influence to support leading regions. And becoming a leading region is no small feat: it requires consistent effort and demonstrable achievements. One cannot simply be designated a leader; one must earn that distinction. And I have great faith in Krasnoyarsk’s potential.”
Governor Kotyukov expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “This agreement provides the foundation for a dynamic collaboration between Krasnoyarsk Krai and two of Russia’s leading theatres – the Bolshoi and the Mariinsky. I am deeply grateful to Valery Abisalovich Gergiev for his confidence in our region. The partnership and friendship between our theatres have been nurtured for decades. Almost half a century ago it was the Bolshoi Theatre that played a pivotal role in establishing our Krasnoyarsk Opera and Ballet Theatre. Several artists from the Krasnoyarsk State Opera and Ballet Theatre, as well as graduates of our Institute of Arts, have gone on to become soloists at the Mariinsky and Bolshoi theatres, most notably, of course, Dmitri Hvorostovsky. In 2022 Krasnoyarsk artists had the honour of performing on the stage of the Bolshoi Theatre. This was a significant acknowledgement of the achievements of the Krasnoyarsk Opera and Ballet Theatre, which is currently enjoying a period of artistic flourishing. We anticipate a significant increase in joint projects, encompassing new productions, concerts and masterclasses. A dedicated section of the agreement focuses on preserving the legacy of Dmitri Hvorostovsky, which is of particular importance to us. I am confident that this collaboration will be immensely fruitful.”
Coinciding with the signing of the agreement, the Krasnoyarsk Philharmonic’s Grand Hall hosted the closing concert of the Hvorostovsky Arts Festival on 2 November. This large-scale cultural event culminated in a performance by the Mariinsky Orchestra under the baton of Valery Gergiev. The orchestra presented a programme for the Krasnoyarsk audience featuring Debussy's Prelude to L’Après-midi d’un faune, Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5, Ravel’s Pavane pour une infante défunte and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 6.
It is worth noting that Dmitri Hvorostovsky made his Mariinsky Theatre debut on 6 November 1988, singing the role of Valentin in Gounod’s Faust. The future global star, then a twenty-six-year-old artist from Krasnoyarsk, was invited by the theatre’s Music Director Valery Gergiev. A few months later Hvorostovsky won the 4th BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition, and he subsequently lived up to this title, performing brilliantly on the world’s leading stages. His collaboration with the Mariinsky Theatre continued, resulting in numerous recordings with the Mariinsky Orchestra under Valery Gergiev, enjoyed by listeners around the globe.
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