Concert

“When I think about my unusual destiny I come to the conclusion that all the stars were thus aligned that my path, albeit at times thorny and bitter, led me into the world of music and dance. Music has been my constant companion since the cradle. Both my mother and sister were professional musicians. Up until a certain point I saw the world of music only through my eyes and ears. I was already eight years old when my heart and soul opened up to these magical sounds and movements. I went to the theatre – and ever since then I was unable to imagine life outside that enchanting fairytale world. In order to be closer to the theatre I began to sing in a chorus, and we were often used in performances; later I studied the piano and clarinet. So my path was a pretty direct one. Even the war did not interrupt my advance towards my goal. So many things happened, but I survived. And my life in music continues, my life in the world of art, and it has brought me into contact with some wonderful people. The names of many of them are embossed in gold letters in our nation’s history book.
Theatre is my joy, my woe and my life!”
(Extract from Yuri Vsevolodovich Gamalei’s book The Mariinsky and My Life)