Igor's "Prince": the composer's ethno-opera about Vladimir was met with applause
After ten years of preparation, People's Artist of Russia Igor Matvienko presented his ethno-opera Prince Vladimir to the audience. The premiere is timed to coincide with the composer's 65th anniversary. For two evenings - February 5 and 6 - at the State Kremlin Palace, fans will be treated to high art. SHAMAN played the main role. Nikolai Rastorguev, People's Artist of Russia, made his debut as the Prince's mentor. And the jubilee appeared before the audience in the image of Odin Gangrad. "Izvestia" visited the premiere and evaluated the epic work on the baptism of Russia.
"Horse" in Icelandic
Tickets for "Prince Vladimir" were sold out in early January. But the hope did not leave the opera lovers. Passes to the Kremlin were asked even at the exit from the subway station "Library of Lenin".
- What are you talking about, what extra tickets, I bought them in the hour of the start of sales, - said a happy spectator. - I got a message from a friend that tickets appeared on the site, and immediately turned on the emergency brake and parked to the curb to promptly buy the first row.
The hope for success was melting in the beggar's eyes. Meanwhile, crowds of SHAMAN fans were gathering at the GKD. It was easy to recognize them by the artist's merch. Lube fans could also be distinguished from the crowd - thanks to their sweatshirts with the band's logo.
There was a big queue in the foyer. These spectators lined up for a photo on the banner with their favorite artists.
The performance started half an hour late. Crowds of spectators in the Alexander Garden for a long time passed control at the entrance to the Kremlin Palace. The epilogue was the playing of the psaltery. Dmitry Paramonov sang and accompanied himself. He is Igor Matvienko's favorite performer in this genre. The leitmotif of the opera was the hit song by the band Lyube - "The Horse" - which was sung in Icelandic. And, surprisingly, the Russian song was very euphonious in the Viking language.
Musician Nikolai Rastorguev (voivode Fyodor) during the shooting of the ethno-opera "Prince Vladimir".
The project was a challenge for the artists: each underwent not only external but also internal transformation. Nikolai Rastorguev and Igor Matvienko appeared in unusual roles for themselves and the audience. The first with a beard like Karl Marx plays mentor Prince Vladimir Fyodor. Igor Matvienko - in the image of the hero of Scandinavian myths Odin. This is a dramaturgically complex character, a provocateur who plays with people's fates and their feelings. He sets Rogneda - the concubine of Prince Vladimir - to kill him. And in return he promises to make her a Valkyrie. This role went to the singer Soya (Asiyat Saygidova). The passionate lover of Vladimir has bright contradictory feelings for the prince, then confessing her love to the grave, then making an attempt on his life.
Makeup artists apply makeup to producer Igor Matvienko (Gangrad/Odin) before the shooting of the ethno-opera "Prince Vladimir".
But Vladimir is not so simple either. He has six wives and more than a thousand concubines, and all of them bore him. Fyodor teaches the prince that there should be only one woman he loves. And there is no better for him than Anna. But she is in Greece and will not become his wife, because Vladimir is a pagan and she is Orthodox. The choice of faith is the main idea of the play. Having found Christ, the descendant of Rurik, Prince of Kiev and All Russia will find salvation for himself and for his state.
Sermon number
- I agreed without hesitation when Igor Igorevich offered to take part in his project, - SHAMAN admitted to "Izvestia". - This is an opera, a large form. Kind, sweet characters are not as interesting to play as contradictory heroes. They are multifaceted. As a rule, the good ones remain so. And a negative character has the opportunity to become better. And we see this in Prince Vladimir. How he is broken, how he is tempted, what doubts torment him. I am very happy that as an actor I can realize myself in this ethno-opera.
Singer SHAMAN at the rehearsal of the opera "Prince Vladimir"
The ethno-opera tells about the life of Prince Vladimir, his role in the baptism of Russia and the unification of the Russian lands.
- We had nothing to rely on when working on the performance," says director Andrey Elsakov. - No true biography of Vladimir has survived. "The Tale of Bygone Years" has been rewritten many times, partially lost, so we took on the responsibility of reading this episode from the life of the prince. This performance is about each of us. In our youth we can do different things, and only in the finale of life do we come to light and right thoughts, just as the Prince did. This opera is about forgiveness and how we can learn to forgive and let go.
Singer SHAMAN at the rehearsal of the opera "Prince Vladimir"
Hierodeacon German (Ryabtsev) plays an Orthodox priest in the performance. As he admitted to Izvestia, this is a special project for him. To be involved in it - for happiness.
- My number is a pure sermon, - he says. - I have never seen or heard anyone say the Jesus Prayer from the stage. I am sure that many people will go to the temple after attending the performance. After all, the purpose of the opera is to show from what bottom and to what heights a person has come through repentance.
According to the clergyman, people who go to church will understand what is happening on stage. Once German Ryabtsev was a rock musician. Now he is serving God, directing the choir at Valaam. Igor Matvienko helps to release albums with spiritual music. There are already two dozen of them.
Masterfully weaving together musical styles - from lyrical ancient Icelandic motifs to rock music - composer and producer Igor Matvienko has created an exciting canvas. The production features leading soloists from the opera stage, as well as professional folklore ensembles. Choreography, special effects and high-tech sets recreate the atmosphere of ancient Russia.
To the Northern Capital
Prince Vladimir" has all the components of a successful performance: a dramatic story, stars, music of different styles and directions, video sequence and scenography. The central setting was a Viking ship - a drakkar. The nose of this ship is in the form of a dragon's head. Sharp straight lines, an open mouth, and an intimidating look: it seems that a little more and fire will fall from there.
Singer SHAMAN at the rehearsal of the opera "Prince Vladimir"
They worked on the scenery for two years. The drakkar began to be designed in August 2023. The frame of the ship weighs 3.5 tons. That's why the structure was lightened with props. Looking at it, you can't believe it's not made of wood. Greenhouse plexiglass was made up under the boards. It was wrapped with fabrics, textured with mastics and paints. In its finished form, the platform with the drakkar weighs 8 tons. The ship is 13 meters long. And the mast of the sail rises 6 meters. Despite its impressive dimensions, the construction of the Viking ship is mobile. It can move not only on stage, but also go on tour. The first ones will take place in St. Petersburg. On February 26 ethno-opera will be seen by the audience of the Ice Palace.
According to the organizers, it will be a unique event. For the first time ethno-opera will be performed at the stadium. A carload of costumes will be sent to the Northern Capital. And the disassembled Drakkar will be delivered on two trucks. The ship is divided into eight parts. A separate truck will carry two four-meter ladders, which are actively involved in the production.
- It was very important for us not to play around, because this is still a high genre, - says the art director of "Prince Vladimir" Nastya Timchuk. - Each mechanism on the stage performs its task, reliable, not props. If we have a plunger, it clearly fulfills its task: it lifts either the artists or the set.
To create the largest-scale set - a Viking drakkar - the artists studied literature. They were inspired by movies and TV series about brave guys from the North. More than 300 costumes were made for the opera.
Singer Yaroslav Dronov SHAMAN during the shooting of ethno-opera "Prince Vladimir".
- There is stylization in the performance," says Nastya Timchuk. - Historical accuracy is important to us, but the genre itself involves stylized costumes. Igor Matvienko has created such an atmosphere with his music, which we tried to convey in the sets, costumes and video content.
The guests of the premiere were delighted, surprised, shocked and then cathartic from what they saw on stage.
In the finale, the hero of SHAMAN appears in a white canvas shirt and with a wooden cross around his neck - the same one the artist wears at his performances.
Singer SHAMAN at the rehearsal of the opera "Prince Vladimir"
- Well, now let's do "I'm Russian," said a spectator in the audience.
But SHAMAN sang: "Oh, young, young". And the audience picked up. The lyrics could be read from the sheet like in karaoke: there was a ticker with credits above the stage.
The audience gave the artists a standing ovation. They performed the song one more time as an encore. The most devoted fans proudly reported: "And we will go to see the performance tomorrow, and on February 26 we will go to St. Petersburg. Perhaps the success of "Prince Vladimir" will make producer Matvienko think about a tour of the ethno-opera as well.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
