Tariq Saeedi
Ashgabat, 22 July 2015 (nCa) — Someone said years ago in an angry and somewhat tangential argument, “Art imitates nature and Opera imitates cats in heat.” — I wish he were present in the Mejlisler Merkezi auditorium Tuesday evening.
The Turkmen-Austrian Symphonic Orchestra ‘Galkynysh’ presented a star-studded evening featuring some of the best known Opera performers in the world.
I mean, how often do you get a chance to see Neil Shicoff, Vesselina Kasarova, and Lucia Aliberti performing together, conducted by Wolfgang Harrer?
No wonder, the connoisseurs of Opera were in ecstasy just by looking at the programme card.
Those like me who didn’t get an opportunity to acquaint with Opera in their childhood may find it somewhat challenging to acquire the taste. Nevertheless, mainly because of our grandson who at 6 already considers himself another Niccolò Paganini in the making, and can throw an energetic outburst of notes to support his argument, the Tuesday evening was an unforgettable experience.
When Vesselina Kasarova points a finger directly at your soul, when the magical voice of Neil Shicoff fills your heart with joy and sorrow in equal measures, the intricacies of Opera techniques and the technicalities of music cease to matter. All that matters is that your soul has found perfect harmony with the universe, the beating heart of life.
Wolfgang Harrer, the Austrian professor and conductor, who is also the secretary of general of the Turkmen-Austrian society, conducted the Opera. Some numbers were conducted by Rasul Gylychev, the young and highly talented Turkmen.
In addition to Neil Shicoff, Vesselina Kasarova, and Lucia Aliberti, the other performers included Afag Abbasova (Azerbaijan), Burchin Savigna (Turkey), Rigina Valieva (Russia), and Gozel Annahanova (Turkmenistan). Of particular note was Leyli Okdirova (Turkmenistan), who is just 25 but her unbelievably versatile vocal cords and her ability to use the gift to the best effect is bound to make her burst into the world stage sooner than later.
Ashir Ashirov (Turkmenistan), a winner of many national and international contests, played rhapsody by Gurban Kuliyev on piano, accompanied by Galkynysh orchestra.
The Programme:
Gioacchino Rossni – The overtures from the opera ‘The Barber of Seville’ – performed by Galkynysh orchestra
Dangatar Ovezov – The fatherland’s aria from the opera ‘Ayna’ – performed by Gozel Annahanova
Pietro Mascagni – Santuzza’s aria from the opera ‘Cavalleria rusticana’ – performed by Afaq Abbasova
Giuseppe Verdi – Elena’s bolero from the opera ‘Sicilian Vespers’ – performed by Rigina Valiyeva
Imre Kalman – Silva’s aria from the operette ‘Silva’ – performed by Savigne Burchin
Leo Delibes – ‘Spanish song’ – performed by Leyli Okdirova
Gurban Kuliyev – Rhapsody – performed by Ashir Ashyrov and Galkynysh orchestra
Giacomo Puccini – the aria of Toska from the opera ‘Toska’ – performed by Lucia Aliberti
Giacomo Puccini – the aria of Cavaradossi from the opera ‘Toska’ – performed by Neil Shicoff
Giuseppe Verdi – Eboli’s canzone from the opera ‘Don Carlos’ – performed by Vesselina Kasarova
Jacques Offenbach – Goffman’s aria from the opera ‘The Tales of Hoffmann’ – performed by Neil Shicoff
Giuseppe Verdi – Odabella’s aria from the opera ‘Attila’ – performed by Lucia Aliberti
Georges Bizet – Duet of ‘Hoza and Carmen’ from the opera ‘Carmen’ – performed by Vesselina Kasarova and Neil Shicoff
Franz Legar – Waltz ‘Gold and silvers’ – performed by the ball actors Gleb Shilov and Paula Rostas
Camille Saint-Saens – Dalila’s aria from the opera ‘Samson and Delilah’ – performed by Vesselina Kasarova
Giuseppe Verdi – Brindisi from the opera ‘La Traviata’ – performed by Lucia Aliberti and Neil Shicoff
Georges Bizet – Carmen’s aria from the opera ‘Carmen’ – performed by Vesselina Kasarova
Giacomo Puccini – the aria of Cavaradossi from the opera ‘Toska’ – performed by Neil Shicoff
Franz Legar – Hannah’s aria from the operetta ‘The cheerful Widow’ – performed by Lucia Aliberti
Eduargo di Capua – ‘O Sole Mio’ – performed by Vesselina Kasarova, Lucia Aliberti and Neil Shicoff
Rejep Rejepov – Song of Prosperity – performed by Gozen Ovezova, Atajan Berdiyev and Galkynysh orchestra