6 June 2018, 19:00 - Handel "Rinaldo" (opera in 3 acts)

Home Theaters Moscow Tchaikovsky Concert Hall 6 June 2018, 19:00 - Handel "Rinaldo" (opera in 3 acts)

6June

19:00

2018 | Wednesday

Handel "Rinaldo" (opera in 3 acts)

Opera

Tchaikovsky Concert Hall, Moscow

Go to events list (All venues, -11)

PROGRAM:

Handel
Opera "Rinaldo", HWV 7

Moscow Chamber Orchestra is currently marking its 60th anniversary.

The orchestra was founded by Rudolf Barshai, a world-class violist, violinist and founding member of Borodin Quartet. Barshai engaged young music talents from Moscow and formed the first chamber orchestra in the USSR that fashioned the European tradition (specifically, Wilhelm Stross Chamber Orchestra from West Germany that had performed in Moscow in September 1955).

Moscow Chamber Orchestra made its orchestral debut on 5 March, 1956 at Small Hall of Moscow Conservatory. The orchestra immediately won recognition from the public in Russia and abroad. Soon after this the Orchestra becomes integrated as part of Moscow Philharmonic Society.

'The chamber orchestra presents an amazing perfection of music and performance. Unity of history and contemporaneity is distinctive for musicians of the Moscow Chamber Orchestra: without distorting the text and spirit of early music, musicians make it modern and full of youth for our patrons,' – wrote Dmitri Shostakovich, who called the orchestra 'the best chamber orchestra in the world.'

The orchestra was described as one of the outstanding chamber orchestras by Leo Ginzburg, MCO conductor and Professor at Moscow Conservatory: 'While listening to Moscow Chamber Orchestra one will definitely appreciate genuine craftsmanship of superb musicians bonded within a single artistic current…'

In 1950–1960 the Orchestra featured such famous violin players as Boris Shulgin (MCO first violinist ), Lev Markiz, Vladimir Rabei, Andrei Abramenkov, Heinrich Talalyan (viola), Alla Vasilieva and Boris Dobrohotov (cello), Leopold Andreyev (bass), Alexandr Korneyev and Naum Zaidel (flute), Albert Zajonc (oboe), Boris Afanasiev (French horn), Sergei Dijur (organ and harpsichord) who performed in the orchestra under the baton of Rudolph Barshai.

Aside from performing and recording numerous pieces of European Baroque music, Russian and Western classical music, works by international composers of the 20th century (some of compositions were first performed in the USSR), the Orchestra actively promoted music of contemporary Soviet composers: Nikolai Rakov, Yuri Levitin, Georgi Sviridov, Kara Karaev, Mieczysław Weinberg, Alexandr Lokshin, German Galynin, Revol Bunin, Boris Tchaikovsky, Edison Denisov, Vytautas Barkauskas, Jaan Rääts, Alfred Schnittke and others. Many of them composed music specifically for Moscow Chamber Orchestra. For example, Dmitri Shostakovich dedicated his 14th Symphony to MCO, its kickoff performed by the Orchestra lead by Rudolph Barshai on 29 September, 1969 in Leningrad.

Following Barshai's emigration in 1976 the Orchestra was successively lead and conducted by Igor Bezrodny (1977–1981), Eugeny Nepalo (1981–1983), Viktor Tretyakov (1983–1990), Andrey Korsakov (1990–1991) and Konstantin Orbelyan (1991–2009).

In 1983 MCO was rebranded as State Chamber Orchestra of the USSR; and since 1994 the ensemble has boasted the title of an "academic orchestra".

Today MCO is one of the top chamber orchestras in Russia. Its extensive repertoire features pieces from all music periods and styles. The orchestra has performed in Great Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, France, Switzerland, USA, Canada, Japan, Republic of South Africa, Scandinavia and Southeast Asia. MCO performed on prestigious stages such as Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Alte Oper in Frankfurt, Schauspielhaus in Berlin, Queen Elisabeth Hall in London, Salle Pleyel in Paris, Carnegie Hall in NYC, Davis Hall in San Francisco, and Suntori Hall in Tokyo. Musicians represented Russia at the landmark United Nations 50th Anniversary Celebration Concert in 1995 and at the World Economic Forum in Davos in 1998.

Throughout its history, the Orchestra frequently has toured across the Soviet Union and Russia promoting classical music.

For over 60 years the Orchestra has performed with spectacular guest artists such as: Sviatoslav Richter (piano), Emil Gilels (piano), Lev Oborin (piano), Maria Grinberg (piano), Nikolai Petrov (piano), Vladimir Krainev (piano), Vladimir Viardo (piano), Eliso Virsaladze (piano), Mikhail Pletnev (piano), Boris Berezovsky (piano), Frederick Kempf (piano), John Lill (piano), Stefan Vladar (piano), Christian Zacharias (piano), Igor Chetuev (piano), Lucas Debargue (piano), David Fray (piano); David Oistrakh (violin), Igor Oistrakh (violin), Yehudi Menuhin (violin), Leonid Kogan (violin), Oleg Kagan (violin), Vladimir Spivakov (violin), Viktor Tretyakov (violin), Igor Gringoltz (violin), Boris Garlitsky (violin), Andres Mustonen (violin) and Jean-Christophe Spinosi (violin); Yuri Bashmet (viola); Mstislav Rostropovitch (cello), Natalia Gutman (cello), Boris Pergamenschikow (cello), Gaspar Cassado (cello), Antonio Meneses (cello) and Alexandr Kniazev (cello); Georg Hörtnagel (bass); Olga Erdeli (harp); Nina Dorliak (vocals), Zara Dolukhanova (vocals), Irina Arkhipova (vocals), Eugeny Nesterenko (vocals), Galina Pisarenko (vocals), Alexandr Vedernikov (vocals), Makvala Kasrashvili (vocals), Nikolai Gedda (vocals), Renee Fleming (vocals), Inga Kalna (vocals), Sandrin Piau (vocals), Vivica Genaux (vocals), Roberto Alagna (vocals) (vocals) and Dmitri Hvorostovski (vocals); flautists Jean-Pierre Rampal (flute), Patrick Gallois (flute) and Sir James Holloway (flute); Federico Mondelci (saxophone); Timofei Dokschitzer (trumpet) and numerous other top-notch soloists; Kopelman Quartet; jazz and folk music performers; Munich Bach Choir, Federico Maria Sardelli (conductor), Stefano Montanari (conductor) and Frieder Bernius (conductor).

The Orchestra has released an impressive collection of radio and CD recordings covering a wide repertoire ranging from early music arias and Baroque music to works by Russian and international composers of the 20th century. The recordings were released under Melodia, Chandos, Philips, Delos and other leading world music labels.

In January 2010 Alexey Utkin, a world's renowned oboist and conductor, was appointed as MCO Art Director and Chief Conductor. Under his guidance and leadership the Orchestra has been significantly revamped and revitalized. Its style and genre range got drastically expanded. MCO poster billboards show a marriage of Bach's St Matthew Passion, masses by Haydn and Vivaldi, symphonies and concertos by Mozart and Boccherini, Led Zeppelin covers, world music hits and movie soundtracks. Orchestra and its leader's insights and creative exploits have metamorphosed into series of music projects in the recent years, which boldly mingle diverse music art periods, styles and trends. Including From Baroque to Jazz Rock program that premiered in Moscow and Crimea last season.

In 2011 and 2015 MCO lead by Mr. Utkin backed up the participants of the 2nd round of the 14 and 15 International Tchaikovsky Competitions (piano category).

In 2016 Alexey Utkin was honored with Moscow Excellence in Literature and Arts Award (Musical Arts category) for his contribution to development of Russian music and promotion of classical music at concert venues in Moscow.

In 2016/2017 season Moscow Chamber Orchestra, in addition to customary performances and subscription concerts at Tchaikovsky Concert Hall, Grand Conservatory Hall, Rachmaninoff Concert Hall (Philharmonia-2), Chamber Hall of Moscow Philharmonic Society and Gnesins Academy Concert Hall, will take part in World Opera Stars in Moscow subscription concerts and the Russian kick-off performance of Teseo by Georg Friedrich Händel. The Orchestra will again launch several brand new concert programs: From Bach to the Beatles (featuring pieces by George Gershwin, Krzysztof Penderecki and Valery Grohovsky) (Rachmaninoff Concert Hall / Philharmonia-2); and a joint performance with Andres Mustonen (Estonia) featuring works by Arvo Pärt, Franz Schubert, Wolfgang Mozart and Giya Kancheli (Tchaikovsky Concert Hall).

The MCO 60th Anniversary Celebration Concert will take place at Tchaikovsky Concert Hall featuring Sinfonietta by Myaskovsky and Piano Concerto No. 24 by Mozart. MCO's Season performances will also feature Andres Mustonen (violin, conductor); Federico Maria Sardelli (conductor); Vyacheslav Kiselev (piano), Valeriy Grokhovski (piano), Eliso Virsaladze (piano), Frederic Kempf (piano), Dmitriy Masleyev (piano) and Mikhail Turpanov (piano); Elena Semenova (violin); Maria Chepurina (flute); Eugeny Petrov (clarinet); Stanislav Davydov (French horn); Ann Hallenberg (mezzo-soprano), Catharina Casper (soprano), Olivia Fermoilen (mezzo-soprano), Konstantin Derri (countertenor) and Iestyn Davies (countertenor).

In February 2017 MCO is scheduled to perform at MustonenFest in Estonia featuring two concert programs in Tallinn and Jõhvi.

Andres Mustonen established and is Director of the ensemble Hortus Musicus (1972). Graduated as a violinist from the Tallinn State Conservatoire (today the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, 1977) and trained in Austria and The Netherlands. Founded the ensemble Hortus Musicus while still a student. The ensemble established the practice of early music concerts in Estonia, and Mustonen himself became an active proponent of authentic performance in our country and in other countries in northern Europe, and has recorded twenty-ãve albums with the ensemble. The musician devotes particular attention to oratorios and other genres of church music from the baroque era to the present day. His repertoire includes works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Anton Bruckner, Giya Kancheli, Krzysztof Penderecki, John Tavener, Alexander Knaifel and Soãa Gubaidulina. Collaborates with numerous outstanding ensembles, among them the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra, the Moscow State Academic Symphony Orchestra, the Musica Viva chamber orchestra and the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks. For many years he has worked with the Tallinn Philharmonic and the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra. Performs chamber music with Oleg Kagan, Natalia Gutman, Gidon Kremer, Tatiana Grindenko, Dmitry Sitkovetsky, Alexei Lyubimov, Eliso Virsaladze and Ivan Monighetti. Founded the chamber ensemble Art Jazz Quartet and tours with the orchestra throughout Europe.

Also appears as an opera conductor. Has conducted Gluck’s opera Orfeo ed Euridice at the Birgitta Festival held at the Tallinn Philharmonic (2010) and Handel’s operas Giulio Cesare in Egitto (2014) and Rinaldo (2015, 2016, 2017) at the Estonian National Opera. In 1989 he organised the MustonenFest, which in 2002 became an international festival. In 2014 he established the MustonenFest Tallinn – Tel Aviv.

Monika Evelin Liiv, mezzo soprano, was born in Estonia where she began her vocal studies. She was a member of the Jette Parker Young Artist Program of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden. Her repertoire included the Second Lady and the Third Lady in Die Zauberflote (Mozart), Cornelia in Giulio Cesare in Egitto (Handel), Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro (Mozart), Flora in La traviata (Verdi), Lady Artist in Lulu (Berg), Ines in Il trovatore (Verdi), Maddalena in Rigoletto (Verdi), Olga in Yevgeni Onegin (Tchaikovsky), Mercedes in Carmen(Bizet) and other roles at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden as well as in opera houses in France, Finland, Lithuania, Sweden and Estonia.

Oliver Kuusik studied singing at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (2000–2003 with Virgilius Noreika) and at London Guildhall School of Music and Drama Opera Studio (with Rudolf Piernay). He received his Master’s degree in 2006. He is the soloist of the Estonian National Opera since 2008. Kuusik’s repertoire includes Faust (Gounod’s “Faust”), Nemorino (Donizetti’s “L’elisir d’amore”), August (T. Kõrvits’ “Butterfly”), Don Ramiro (“La Cenerentola” by Rossini), Christian (Tamberg’s “Cyrano de Bergerac”), Händel’s Sesto (“Julius Caesar”) and Goffredo (“Rinaldo”), Wagner’s Walther (“Tannhäuser”) and Steersman (“Der fliegende Holländer”), Charles (Hindemith’s “The Long Christmas Dinner”), Puccini’s Rinuccio (“Gianni Schicchi”), Mozart’s Don Ottavio (“Don Giovanni”), Tamino (“Die Zauberflöte”), Ferrando (“Così fan tutte” and Basilio (“Le nozze di Figaro”), as well as Peter Quint and Prologue (Britten’s “Turn of the Screw”), Alfred (Strauss’ “Die Fledermaus”), Freddy (Loewe’s “My Fair Lady”), etc. Oliver Kuusik has won the 1st prize at the competition Young Singer (2002) in Estonia and at the Hendrik Krumm Competition in 2006, the 2nd prize at the Tiit Kuusik Competition (2001), 3rd prize and the Kremling’s special prize for the best interpretation of German vocal music at the 5th Klaudia Taev International Competition for Young Opera Singers (2007). He has also won The Marje and Kuldar Sink “Young Musician Prize” 2005 and the SEB Audience Award (2011, 2015). Oliver Kuusik has worked with other theatre companies, such as Clonter Opera Company and European Opera Center Trust in Great Britain, and performed as an oratorio and chamber singer all over Europe.

Oliver Kuusik has won the 1st prize at the competition Young Singer (2002) in Estonia and at the Hendrik Krumm Competition in 2006, the 2nd prize at the Tiit Kuusik Competition (2001), 3rd prize and the Kremling’s special prize for the best interpretation of German vocal music at The 5th Klaudia Taev International Competition for Young Opera Singers (2007). He has also won The Marje and Kuldar Sink “Young Musician Prize” 2005. In 2008 he received the annual Estonian Theatre Award for his singing of Peter Quint and Prologue in Britten’s “Turn of the Screw”. In 2010 Oliver Kuusik was chosen as a laureate of the international competition of opera singers “Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques” (Canada). In the same year he was awarded with the Chrystal Shoe Award for progress in vocal and acting skills and for his roles in Mozart’s “Così fan tutte”, Massenet’s “Thaïs” and Donizetti’s “Poliuto”. In 2011 he was given the SEB audience award.

Rauno Elp is the soloist of the Estonian National Opera since 1992. He is a sought-after artist, whose repertoire includes various baritone roles both from Estonian and international opera composers. Elp’s high-level vocal technique allows him to sing various roles from Mozart to Wagner. His repertoire includes Mozart roles, such as Don Giovanni (“Don Giovanni”), Count Almaviva (“Le nozze di Figaro”) and Guglielmo (“Così fan tutte”), Dulcamara and Belcore (Donizetti’s “L’elisir d’amore”), Verdi’s Rigoletto (“Rigoletto”), Renato (“Un ballo in maschera”), Germont (“La traviata”), Rodrigo (“Don Carlo”), Iago (“Otello”) and Amonasro (“Aida”); the title role in Hindemith’s “Cardillac”, Don Magnifico (Rossini’s “La Cenerentola”), Valentin (Gounod’s “Faust”), Argante (Händel’s “Rinaldo”), Yeletsky (Tchaikovsky’s “The Queen of Spades”), Puccini’s Lescaut (“Manon Lescaut”), Scarpia (“Tosca”), Marcello (“La bohème”), Wagner’s Holländer (“Der fliegende Holländer”), Amfortas (“Parsifal”), Kurwenal (“Tristan und Isolde”) and Wolfram (“Tannhäuser”), Roderick (Hindemith’s “The Long Christmas Dinner”), Weps (Zeller’s “The Bird Seller”) etc. The most important roles from Estonian operas are Cyrano (Tamberg’s “Cyrano de Bergerac”), Father Kaarel (Puur’s “The Colours of Clouds”), Wallenberg (Tüür’s “Wallenberg”), Doctor (Kangro’s “Heart”), Theodor/Hamlet (T. Kõrvits’ “Butterfly”) and Jürgen (Tubin’s “Barbara von Tisenhusen”). He has also sung at concert performances of operas: Sir Riccardo Forth (Bellini’s “I puritani”), Wilhelm Tell (Rossini’s “Wilhelm Tell”), Zurga (“Les pêcheurs de perles” by Bizet) and participated in the performances of large scale works, such as “Des Jona Sendung” by R. Tobias, Mahler’s Symphony No. 8, “Ein deutsches Requiem” by Brahms, “Über Liebe und Hass” by Gubaidulina, “Kullervo” by Sibelius etc. In 2007 he won the scholarship of the Estonian Richard Wagner Society and in 2016 he won the Annual Estonian Theatre Award for the powerful and convincing interpretation of the title role in Hindemith’s opera “Cardillac”.

Casts & Credits

Composer: George Frideric Handel

Conductor: Andres Mustonen

Baritone: Rauno Elp

Mezzo soprano: Monika-Evelin Liiv

Orchestra: State Chamber Orchestra of Russia

Soprano: Helen Lokuta

Tenor: Oliver Kuusik

Composer: George Frideric Handel

Conductor: Andres Mustonen

Baritone: Rauno Elp

Mezzo soprano: Monika-Evelin Liiv

Orchestra: State Chamber Orchestra of Russia

Soprano: Helen Lokuta

Tenor: Oliver Kuusik

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