Summer Opera Training Program Focusing on Russian Repertoire - First of Its Kind in U.S.

Summer Opera Training Program Focusing on Russian Repertoire - First of Its Kind in U.S.

PHILADELPHIA, April 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 1, 2011, Philadelphia welcomes the Russian Opera Workshop, a brand new summer training program for opera singers to aid in learning and performance of Russian standard repertoire. In its first two sessions, the Workshop's participants will study Tchaikovsky's operas Eugene Onegin, in June, and Iolanta, in July. Each session closes with free public performance series: June 20-23 and July 25-28 at the Helen Corning Warden Theater, 1920 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA (at the Academy of Vocal Arts).

This summer, nearly 30 professional and aspiring professional opera singers from around the U.S. and Russia will arrive in Philadelphia to participate in the first sessions of the Russian Opera Workshop.

"Although there are many wonderful summer vocal programs that may offer some Russian repertoire, Russian Opera Workshop is the first month-long immersion program in this country with a specific focus on the Russian standard repertoire," says the Workshop's founder Ghenady Meirson, a Russian repertoire vocal coach at the Academy of Vocal Arts and the Curtis Institute of Music, who is hailed by The Philadelphia Inquirer "the emissary of Russian music to Philadelphia."

The Workshop faculty and musical guests include: Rossen Milanov, an Associate Conductor of The Philadelphia Orchestra; David Hayes, Music Director of The Philadelphia Singers, staff conductor of the Curtis Symphony Orchestra; Danail Rachev, Assistant Conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Music Director of the Eugene Symphony; Katerina Souvorova, Artistic Director of Bel Cantanti Opera; Vera Danchenko-Stern, Russian Coach at Peabody Conservatory, Washington Opera; William Stone, Voice Faculty at the Academy of Vocal Arts; Danielle Orlando, Master Coach at the Curtis Institute of Music and the Academy of Vocal Arts; and Julian Rodesku, Artistic Director of Astral Artists. Guest lecturers: Prof. Ilya Vinitsky, Chair of Slavic Languages Department, University of Pennsylvania; Daron Hagen, an acclaimed American opera composer.

"The sheer enthusiasm of our participants and guest faculty is a testament to the great need for such a program in the U.S.," Meirson comments. "Our singers come from Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, New Jersey, Baltimore, Washington DC, New York City, North Carolina, Los Angeles, and even St. Petersburg, Russia. The 2012 Workshop is already scheduled for Tchaikovsky's Queen of Spades (Pique Dame)."

The 2011 Russian Opera Workshop and Performance Information:

Session I: June 1-23 -- Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin

* Monday, June 20: Russian Romances Concert, with a lecture on Pushkin's original poem Eugene Onegin by Ilya Vinitsky;

* Tuesday-Thursday, June 21, 22, 23: Eugene Onegin, Opera in Concert.

Session II: July 6-28 -- Tchaikovsky's Iolanta

* Monday, July 25: Russian Romances Concert, with a lecture on Tchaikovsky's Iolanta by Daron Hagen;

* Tuesday-Thursday, July 26, 27, 28: Iolanta, Opera in Concert.

*All concerts start at 7:30 PM, at the Helen Corning Warden Theater, 1920 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA (at the Academy of Vocal Arts). Free Admission. For more information call 267.475.6500 or visit http://www.RussianOperaWorkshop.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Inna Lobanova-Heasley
215.280.4824 | inna@pr-perfect.com

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SOURCE Russian Opera Workshop

Russian Opera Workshop

Web Site: http://www.russianoperaworkshop.com

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