Opening of the 8th International Mstislav Rostropovich Festival takes place
Opening of the 8th International Mstislav Rostropovich Festival took place at the Azerbaijan State Philharmonics named after Muslim Magomayev, May 17. The Festival was organized jointly by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the Mstislav Rostropovich Foundation.
Minister of Culture and Tourism Abulfas Garayev addressed the ceremony. “Today, the 8th Mstislav Rostropovich Festival is opening in Baku. We have always been pride of the great maestro. He has done a lot for Azerbaijan, popularized our music and implemented various projects. He had been a great friend of Heydar Aliyev”, - said the minister.
President of the Mstislav Rostropovich Foundation, artistic director of the Festival Olga Rostropovich delivered a speech at the opening ceremony: “I enjoy my every visit to Baku. My father used to call Baku his hometown. There are many Rostropovich festivals in the world, but the first festival was held here, in his hometown. I have always been and will be thankful to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva for the support they have provided to me.”
Olga Rostropovich declared the Festival open.
The Festival opened with “Carmina Burana” Cantata by Carl Orff, performed by the Azerbaijan State Symphonic Orchestra named after U.Hajibeyli and the Azerbaijan State Choir, directed by Rauf Abdullayev.
Held since 2007, the Festival brings together a number of well-known musicians and creative groups. Luigi Cherubini’s Symphonic Youth Orchestra, soloists of the Galina Vishnevskaya’s Opera Performance Centre, Igor Butman’s quartet, violoncellist Arseni Chubachin, the Azerbaijan State Symphonic Orchestra named after U.Hajibeyli and the Azerbaijan State Choir, directed by Rauf Abdullayev, and soloists will perform on the scenes of the Azerbaijan State Conservatoire, the Heydar Aliyev Palace, the Chamber and Organ Music Hall, and the National Art Museum. Within the framework of the Festival, “Payatsi” Opera by well-known Italian composer R.Leonkavallo will be shown by the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre and the troupe of Galina Vishnevskaya’s Opera Performance Centre.
The Festival will continue until May 24.
