Moscow Musical Theatre "Helikon-Opera" under Dmitry Bertman
What is “Helikon”? Some people think it is a mountain in ancient Greece, where singers and musicians die for the sake of Apollo and muses. The others are convinced that Helikon is nothing else but a massive wind instrument. But first of all, for 30 years this word has been associated with a musical theatre, founded in Moscow on April 10, 1990 and united the new talents. Dmitry Bertman, the People’s Artist of Russia, General-Director and Artistic Director and the founder of Helikon-Opera, has staged over a hundred productions in Russia and abroad in such countries as Austria, Finland, Germany, Denmark, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Canada, New Zealand, France, Sweden, and Estonia. The production team includes the acknowledged masters: Chief Conductor of the theatre — Vladimir Ponkin, People’s Artist of Russia; Set and Costume Designers — Igor Nezhny and Tatiana Tulubyeva, Honored Artists of Russia; Light Designer — Damir Ismagilov, Honored Art Worker of Russia; Choreographer — Edwald Smirnov, winner of international competitions; Principal Chorus Master — Evgeny Ilin. The theatre company of Helikon-Opera, initially consisting of seven enthusiasts, counts more than 500 persons nowadays. It includes a good ensemble of soloists, many of whom are Honored Artists of Russia, winners of international competitions and awards, as well as symphonic orchestra and chorus of the musicians giving concerts at the best sites of Moscow besides participation in the repertoire productions. The soloists of Helikon-Opera appear on the most prestigious opera stages of Europe and America. Almost all the artists of the chorus have diplomas of conductors and choirmasters. Every season Helikon-Opera presents to the Moscow audience more than 200 performances and each of them gives the audience the joy of contact with live art. Today the theatre repertoire consists of more than 75 unique productions. Helikon-Opera always tries to withdraw from “convenient”, worn out stage impersonations to surprise with novelty and audacity of conception, bright vocal and dramatic performance, taking care of the composer’s idea at the same time. Its shows are sold out for every performance. This is one of the most interesting and visited theatres of the Russian capital.
