"Izvestia" attended the premiere of Igor Matvienko's ethno-opera "Prince Vladimir"

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. Two evenings - February 5 and 6 - in the State Kremlin Palace fans will join the high art. "Izvestia" visited the premiere.

"SHAMAN in Prince Vladimir makeup looks remarkably like a rocker."

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The main role was played by singer SHAMAN (real name - Yaroslav Dronov). People's Artist of Russia Nikolai Rastorguev debuted in the image of the mentor of the Prince. And the jubilee appeared before the audience in the image of Odin Gangrad.

The epilogue was a psaltery playing. Sang and accompanied himself Dmitry Paramonov. He is Igor Matvienko's favorite performer in this genre. The leitmotif of the opera was the hit song "Horse" by the band Lyube - it was sung in Icelandic. And, surprisingly, the Russian song was very euphonious in the Viking language.

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 as at Karl Marx plays the mentor of Prince Vladimir Fedor. 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 Saigidova). The passionate beloved of Vladimir has bright contradictory feelings for the prince, then confessing her love to the grave, then making an attempt on his life.

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.

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.

Read more in the exclusive material "Izvestia":

"Prince" Igor: the composer's ethno-opera about Vladimir was met with applause