January 14, 2020 | Zaryadye Concert Hall
Soloists:
Asmik Grigoryan, soprano
Migran Agadzhanian, tenor
Conductor – Gintaras Rinkevičius
The National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia will give its first concert in 2020 at the Moscow Zaryadye Concert Hall. Asmik Grigoryan (soprano) and Migran Agadzhanian (tenor), world opera stars, will appear on the stage with the collective which will be conducted by Gintaras Rinkevičius, the NPR's long-time artistic partner. The program of the night will feature fragments from well-known operas by Dvořák, Bellini, Verdi, Mascagni and Puccini, as well as orchestral miniatures by Lyadov and Massenet.
A native of Vilnius, graduate of the Lithuanian Academy of Music, Asmik Grigoryan has conquered many top opera stages in the world, such as the Mariinsky and Mikhailovsky Theatres in St. Petersburg, Bolshoi Theatre of Russia, La Scala in Milan, Metropolitan Opera in New York, Covent Garden in London, Liceu in Barcelona, Oper Köln, Komische Oper in Berlin, Opera Houses in Hamburg and Frankfurt, Theater an der Wien, Opera di Roma, Flemish Opera, Royal Swedish Opera, Norwegian National Opera, Salzburg and Edinburgh Festivals, etc.
Asmik has been twice awarded the “Golden Cross of the Stage” (the main theatre prize of Lithuania) and won twice the International Opera Award: first as “Best Young Singer” (2016) and then as “Best Singer” (2019). In 2019, she also received the Austrian Musical Theatre Award in the “Best Role” nomination for her performance of the Salome part at the Salzburg Festival and was defined the “Singer of the Year” by the German magazine Opernwelt. Dmitry Hvorostovsky said about her: “An amazing actress. Love her, pay attention to her! She deserves it!”
Asmik Grigoryan’s partner this night will be tenor Migran Agadzhanian, a bronze medalist at the 16th International Tchaikovsky Competition (2019). “Perfectly aligned registers, calibrated notes, a sense of style and measure, self-control ... absolutely mature interpretations,” - the press wrote about Migran after the semi-finals. Agadzhanyan is not only a talented singer and a guest soloist of the Mariinsky Theatre, but also a professional pianist and conductor, a graduate of the St. Petersburg Conservatory (student of conductor Vladimir Altshuler and pianist Vladimir Mishchuk). He began his vocal training with Vladimir Eknadiosov at the Rostov Conservatory, further polishing his voice in the opera studio at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome with Renata Scotto and Giuseppe Sabbatini. At the age of 19, he won the International Elena Obraztsova Competition, and in 2018 got the Second Prize at the Placido Domingo's Operalia competition in Lisbon. He was a member of the youth program at the Los Angeles Opera, and took part in the internship programs at the Metropolitan Opera and the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Maestro Gintaras Rinkevičius is one of the most renowned conductors in Lithuania, awarded the highest state awards, working with leading orchestras worldwide. The founder, artistic director and chief conductor of the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra; artistic director and principal conductor of the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra; Professor at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. artistic director and chief conductor of the Malmö Opera Orchestra in 2002-20015 and of the Novosibirsk Academic Symphony Orchestra in 2007-2017. He has been regularly cooperating with the NPR since 2009.
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PROGRAMME
Part 1
Lyadov. “The Enchanted Lake”
Dvořák. Rusalka's Aria (Měsíčku na nebi hlubokém) from the opera “Rusalka”
Massenet. Meditation from the opera “Thais”
Bellini. Norma”s Cavatina (Casta Diva) from the opera “Norma”
Verdi
Gabriele's Recitative and Aria (O inferno! – Sento avvampar nell’anima) from the opera “Simon Boccanegra”
Fragments from the opera “La traviata”:
Introduction
Alfredo's Aria (De’ miei bollenti spiriti)
Duet of Alfredo and Violetta (Libiamo ne’lieti calici)
Part 2
Mascagni. Intermezzo from the opera “Cavalleria rusticana”
Puccini
Lauretta's Aria (O mio babbino caro) from the opera “Gianni Schicchi”
Cavaradossi's Aria (E lucevan le stelle) from the opera “Tosca”
Fragments from the opera “Manon Lescaut”:
Intermezzo
Manon's Aria (Sola, perduta, abbandonata)
Fragments from the opera “ Madama Butterfly”:
Intermezzo
Cio-Cio-san's Aria (Un bel di vedremo)
Duet of Cio-Cio-san and Pinkerton (Vogliatemi bene)