Vladimir Spivakov and the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia will start the new season with a tour to Irkutsk: the Orchestra has been honored to close the 21st edition pf the “Stars on Lake Baikal” International Festival. On September 15-17 the I.M.Zagursky Music Theater will host three concerts by the collective and the maestro with well-known soloists such as pianist Denis Matsuev, the Festival’s Artistic Director, and world opera star Hibla Gerzmava (soprano).
The first night will be devoted to such works by Ludwig van Beethoven as The Consecration of the House Overture, Third Piano Concerto and Seventh Symphony while, ending the Festival, Denis Matsuev will play the solo part in Edvard Grieg’s Piano Concerto. The NPR will also present fragments from Tchaikovsky’s ballets Swan Lake and The Sleeping Beauty much loved by audiences. The tour’s hit will be the I Love You, Life! program prepared by Vladimir Spivakov and the NPR together with Hibla Gerzmava and already performed in many Russian Regions and Abkhazia. The Festival’s last concert will show great diva Hibla Gerzmava in opera fragments.
The Stars on Lake Baikal Festival of classical music, that will have its 21st edition this year in Irkutsk, has always been famed for participation of great musicians. The National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia led by Vladimir Spivakov has taken part in this feast of music many a time. It was one of the first large collectives invited to Irkutsk by Denis Matsuev for the very first edition of the Festival. Ten years later, in 2014 the NPR took part in the Stars on Lake Baikal Festival several days after Vladimir Spivakov had celebrated his 70 years. In 2015 the orchestra participated in the large-scale program of the Festival’s 10th anniversary and opened the Festival in 2018 with three concerts.
«Since the very start of Stars on Lake Baikal in 2004 Irkutsk became a music city, — says Denis Matsuev. — I shall never forget Vladimir Spivakov’s performance at the very first edition of our festival when nobody believed it possible, even myself, though we had been great friends with him already. Just then Vladimir Teodorovich turned to be a Siberian and even an Irkutskian. The main idea of the Festival has always been to play music we love. Here come friends, great musicians, and play music they love. I appreciate greatly that Irkutsk’s audience has got acquainted with performances of great level, open to new ideas and believe in my good choice, because every year I see full houses and very warm applause.»