The traditional May holidays will come to Satka together with the magic of classical music and opera art. On 6-7 May the city will be the venue of Carmen Fest – the Obraztsova International Classical Music Festival. The membership of the event participants comprises the symphony orchestra of Chelyabinsk State Opera and Ballet Theatre that is already well known to the audience, as well as the internationally renowned musicians and soloists.   

Being the focal place of the Festival, Magnezit Cultural Centre will open doors to visitors to hear Venonika Dzhioeva – the guest soprano soloist of the Bolshoi Theatre, and Vladimir Moroz – the leading baritone soloist of the State Academic Mariinsky Theatre, along with virtuoso performances by Polina Osetinskaya (piano) and Dmitry Makhtin (violin). The winners of Elena Obraztsova International Vocal Contest will also perform on the local stage.  

The musical accompaniment will be provided by Chelyabinsk Opera House that is going to perform for the first time under the lead of two recognized experts – the art director of Armenian Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre Konstantin Orbelyan and the conductor of Mariinsky Theatre Vladislav Karklin.  

Carmen Fest’s activity program will be traditionally full of exhibitions, film shows and special events for children. In particular, the young visitors will have an opportunity to take part in the unique interactive show “Meet The Orchestra” created by Vladislav Karklin.

Carmen Fest first captured the hearts of the audience in spring 2017. The core event that took place in Satka at that time was the gala concert with fragments from Elena Obraztsova’s favourite operas. In addition to that, Magnezit Cultural Centre heard Carmina Burana, the legendary and charming scenic cantata composed by Carl Orff, and Cinderella Musical by Antonio Spadavecchia that impressed even the youngest music lovers. The final accord of the spring-time theatrical episode was Carmen opera by Georges Bizet. The vocal workshops organized by the renowned experts and musical performances by students and teachers of Children’s Art Schools sold out the concert hall. The autumn-time Festival hosted chamber music nights marked with the performances by a French duo and an Italian quintet. Special atmosphere was created by the charitable event with participation of Lyudmila Zhiltsova - the La Scala Opera singer and guest soprano soloist of the Royal Theatre of Turin.

Source: Carmen website.