From March 12 to March 24, in four cities of Russia - Moscow, Ufa, Almetyevsk and Kazan - the International Music Festival of Ildar Abdrazakov will be held. The organizer is the Foundation for the Support and Promotion of Young Talents in the Field of Art, founded by the world-famous opera singer, People’s Artist of Bashkortostan and Tatarstan, Ildar Abdrazakov, winner of two Grammy awards. The artist will take part in all the events of the festival program.

    “As the artistic director of the International Academy of Music Elena Obraztsova, I try to devote enough time to supporting young opera singers, as my teachers did at one time — Elena Vasilyevna Obraztsova and Irina Konstantinovna Arkhipova. Continuing the mission of these great women, I became the initiator of the open international festival of young vocalists "Elena" (in which the famous Mexican tenor and my great friend Rolando Villazon will take part this season), and the founder of the Prize for young artists (the only special award for young laureates in opera art of Russia and the CIS countries). However, the largest “brainchild” is my own International Music Festival, which provides an opportunity not only to learn from outstanding contemporaries, but also a chance to perform on the same stage with them, ”says Ildar Abdrazakov.

According to the press service of the Bashkir Opera and Ballet Theater, in the new season it is planned to significantly expand not only the number of participants, but also the geography of the festival.

The opening ceremony of the II International Festival Ildar Abdrazakov will take place on March 13 in Ufa with the participation of the artistic director of the Festival and the baritone, the guest soloist of the Bolshoi Theater of Russia, the Milan Theater of Scala Vasily Ladiuk, as well as talented performers from youth programs of vocal academies of Europe: Dilyara Idrisova , Martina Grezia (Italy), Anna-Doris Kapelli (Italy), Kirill Belov (St. Petersburg). The concert will be accompanied by a symphony orchestra of the Bashkir State Opera and Ballet Theater, conducted by Fabio Mastrangelo.

On March 19, a concert with the participation of Ildar Abdrazakov and one of the most recognized tenants of the bel canto of our time, Lawrence Brownlee (USA), will take place on the stage of the Moscow Zaryadie Hall. Lawrence Brownlee is the winner of the International Opera Awards in the "Best Singer" category and is a Grammy Award nominee. Both the critics and the public note the lightness and beauty of his voice, the technical mastery, which allows, without much effort, to perform the most complex parts of the tenor repertoire. The concert will be accompanied by the New Russia State Symphony Orchestra. Conductor - Claudio Vandelli (Italy).

On the eve of the concert, on March 17, a 2-hour master class by Lawrence Brownlee and Ildar Abdrazakov is planned for vocalists who have passed the selection in advance in the small concert hall “Zaryadye” (you can find out on the official website of the artist). According to the results of the master class, successfully performing performers will be invited to participate in the Moscow evening concert with famous masters of opera art.

The Festival will continue with a series of solo concerts by Ildar Abdrazakov “Verdi Gala” on March 23 in Kazan and on March 24 in Almetyevsk. Both evenings on stage are the State Symphony Orchestra of the Republic of Tatarstan, and Alexander Sladkovsky at the conductor's stand.