The Bolshoi has dedicated its productions to the memory of Evgeny Svetlanov multiple times, since his death it has taken place almost every year. Now, in honour of the 95th anniversary of the birth of the great conductor, a photo exhibition opens on the New Stage (9.09-13.11). Photographs of scenes from the performances in which the maestro took part, bows after loud premiere shows surrounded by shining artists are alternated with shots illustrating the inspired creative process and powerful temperament of the maestro.
It is hard to imagine a person who is interested in music but has never heard of the name of Evgeny Fyodorovich Svetlanov. Svetlanov is one of the greatest phenomena of Russian music. Like Richter, Oistrakh, Rostropovich, not only did he create the history of Russian culture but was also its banner.
The name of Evgeny Svetlanov is inextricably linked with the Bolshoi Theatre. Svetlanov was even chief conductor of the Bolshoi Theatre, albeit briefly, between 1963-65. (Having left the Bolshoi, he immediately became chief conductor of the State Orchestra). However, throughout his life, Svetlanov continued to return to the Bolshoi Theatre — and not only to conduct its current repertoire, but also to create something new, to shape the history of the Bolshoi. The list of productions realised by him, is just incredible: Ivan Susanin by M. Glinka, Prince Igor by A. Borodin, Boris Godunov by M. Mussorgsky, Faust by C. Gounod, Rigoletto by G. Verdi, Eugene Onegin by P. Tchaikovsky, The Legend of the Invisible City of Kitezh and of the Maiden Fevronia and The Golden Cockerel by N. Rimsky-Korsakov, Not Love Alone by R. Shchedrin…
