Russia and Azerbaijan traditionally share close creative ties in the field of opera. A striking contribution to this collaboration is made by the renowned and beloved soprano Elnara Mamedova,both at home and in Russia,an Honored Artist of Azerbaijan,who is a guest soloist at the Moscow musical theater Helikon-Opera. This year for the singer was marked by several major creative projects, including a solo vocal evening, which recently received a standing ovation from the audience in St. Petersburg.
In a conversation with a journalist of the Russia-Azerbaijan interparliamentary friendship group led by State Duma deputy Dmitry Savelyev, Elnara Mamedova shared her impressions of working in Russia and spoke about joint Russian-Azerbaijani creative projects in the field of music.
- Yes, I decided to devote this year to solo concerts, among which a special place was occupied by my solo vocal evening, held in October at the St. Petersburg academic Philharmonic named after D. D. shostakovich.
I really wanted to give the viewer a holiday of vocal music, at least for a while to distract them from all sorts of problems and thoughts, so I chose the program precisely based on these considerations, it was exclusively festive, cheerful and radiant, based on everyone’s favorite works from operas, operettas, and musicals. And, of course, how can we do without romances?
I was very happy to see the joyful eyes of the audience, to hear thunderous applause and positive feedback. This is always very inspiring, and at such moments you understand that you are doing exactly what you should, doing your job, and what you really love!
– I always try to include music by Azerbaijani authors in concerts, to introduce it to both Russian and European audiences, and, without exaggeration, I always feel exceptionally happiness and pride!
In this concert I performed romances by Arif Melikov, Gar garayev and Farhad Badalbeyli. The audience always greets all these compositions with thunderous applause. Many people came up and wrote after the concert, asking for notes. Of course, I am very pleased with this.
I am proud that many Azerbaijani cultural figures and composers are very well known in St. Petersburg and in Russia in general. The Mariinsky Theater staged ballets by Arif Melikov and Fikret Amirov. The main roles are performed by our compatriot, my good friend, Prime Minister of the Mariinsky Theater, Honored Artist Timur Askerov. At the conductor’s stand in Russia you can often see maestro Eyyub Guliyev, Honored Artist, Chief Conductor and Music Director of the State Opera and Ballet Theater of Azerbaijan. The choreographer is also our fellow countryman, artistic director of the ballet troupe of the Primorsky Stage of the Mariinsky Theater Eldar Aliyev, who recently received the title of People’s Artist of Russia, for which I sincerely congratulate him
It is indeed worth noting that the St. Petersburg audience is one of the most sophisticated. It is not for nothing that St. Petersburg bears the title of the cultural capital of russia. Here, from youth, a love for quality music, art and literature is instilled, so you always feel an additional responsibility when performing in front of such an audience.
sometimes you are surprised how some spectators,who are not professional musicians,but have regularly attended classical music concerts since childhood,understand styles,musicality,phrasing and other subtleties even better than some musicians.
After the concert, an 89-year-old man came up to me backstage for an autograph; he said that he was the very first spectator in this hall as soon as it opened, and had not missed a single concert. I admit, this is admirable!
– Also at your musical evening there were works by Rimsky-Korsakov, Rachmaninov, dunaevsky… Which Russian composer is especially close to you personally – whose works would you be happy to perform in Azerbaijan?
– I really love Russian music! From a young age,Sergei Rachmaninov won my heart. He always comes first for me. In his music he concentrated all the best that was and is in Russian nature, culture and character. Of course, one cannot fail to note N. Rimsky-Korsakov, P.I. Tchaikovsky and S.S. Prokofiev. This is the golden fund of not only Russian but also world culture.
I think that in Azerbaijan, chamber romances, including my beloved Rachmaninoff, would be received with great pleasure. Romance is a very difficult genre that requires a deep understanding of the character and expressiveness of the performance. Sometimes even a small romance hides deep meaning and drama, which must be shown by coloring music and poetry with your own vocal colors.
I plan to pay more attention to Russian chamber music in the near future, where I will certainly include romances by my favorite composers. Perhaps you should think about recording an album of classical romances by Russian composers.
- Please tell us how your collaboration developed with your Russian colleagues – vocalists Yana Melikaeva and Yaramir Nizamutdinov, accompanist Elena Samarina, with whom you performed together at this evening.
– We met Yana Melikayeva in Baku at the anniversary evening in honor of the 15th anniversary of the Heydar Aliyev foundation in 2019. Since then we have been very friendly and often take part in joint projects. Yanochka is an unbelievable person with a beautiful soul, a talented singer with a luxurious voice! Without hesitation, I promptly invited her to my vocal evening, where we performed the duet “Ave Maria” by Farhad Badalbeyli.
I have known Elena Samarina as 2015, from the time I studied at the Elena Obraztsova Music Academy. We collaborated a lot successfully and learned the parts. I had there’s no doubt whatsoever that I would like to share this evening with the beautiful Elena, an incredibly sensitive and subtle musician.
It is very important for me to work not only with professionals, but also with good, kind people without any pathos or arrogance. In an atmosphere of kindness, talent and respect, creating is a pleasure.
– The recent grandiose concert “Opera and Fashion.7 beauties”, held in Baku, became not only the unity of music and fashion, but also an excellent exmaple of cooperation between Azerbaijani and Russian performers. What impressions did your participation in this project and your arrival in your native Baku leave you with?
– Yes, it was amazing! This is the second grandiose project of my friend, Orhan sultan. In recent years, he has created almost all of my concert images, which do not leave anyone indifferent.
As for my visits to my hometown, visiting home is always a big holiday for me! Whenever possible, I try to fly to my homeland! Almost all of my relatives remained in Azerbaijan, so it is indeed also a holiday for them when I arrive, and even with a concert.
– That’s right, since 2019 I have been a soloist at the Moscow Helikon Opera Theater, and more recently I have been performing as a guest soloist.I admit that cooperation in this format is more convenient for me,since serving on the staff of a theater implies complete immersion in its life and constant presence. Considering that my family and I live in St. Petersburg, this creates certain difficulties.
“Helikon” is a unique theater of its kind, I love it very much. Wonderful people and craftsmen work there.Now our format of interaction allows me to spend more time with my family,conduct active concert activities and take part in various projects,as well as participate in some theater productions with appropriate agreement.
– This year, one of the notable musical events in Moscow was the concert “Azerbaijan and Russia: an ode to friendship”, organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and held at the Helikon Opera. was it a memorable evening? What do you see as the main importance of mutually enriching cooperation between Russia and Azerbaijan in the field of culture?
– Indeed, it was a wonderful concert, full of kindness and friendship.
Culture and art are always about creation, creativity, the revelation of new and beautiful things, and interaction in the field of culture is one of the pillars of building strong friendships based on the principles of mutual respect. Isn’t this how neighbors’ relationships should be built?
Please note how over the past 5-7 years the interest of Russians in our republic has increased, how many tourists visit not only Baku, but also other regions of the country. I communicate with many people, both among colleagues and with people not connected with music, and I want to say that the interest in our republic, its history and culture is truly sincere, and the feedback is only positive.
Of course, these are the results of a large interstate work, part of which are projects such as the concert “Azerbaijan and Russia: ode to Friendship”, and also many other joint events organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.
I would also like to note the activities of the Russian House in Baku, which does a lot of work to introduce our fellow citizens and guests of the capital to the extensive Russian culture.
– Among the leading roles with which you perform at Helikon Opera, in particular, is the main role in the opera Cinderella, written by Leonid Vanshtein, one of the most talented students of Kara Karaev.Today, this opera, first staged in the last century on the stage of the Azerbaijan Opera and Ballet theater, retaining its oriental intonations, pleases the audience in Russia, with the participation of the conducting conductor Yalchin Adigezalov. Can you say that participation in this performance is something special for you?
– Cinderella’s part is one of my favorites! Incredibly beautiful music, filled with kindness and subtle humor. A real fairy tale in which I really felt like a little princess!
I must admit that the premiere performance was not easy for me,since I was pregnant for quite some time,which made the performance to some extent special for me. There are a lot of dances and movements in the performance, and I remember with great gratitude the help of my colleague in the performance Ivan Volkov, who performed the part of the Prince, and helped me cope with everything successfully. Now Ivan graces the stage of the Rostov Musical theater.
And of course, it’s a pleasure to sing such music in your favorite theater, under the sensitive direction of one of my favorite conductors, who always breathes with you – maestro Yalchin Adygezalov. Also, this performance will remain forever in my heart thanks to my family, who specially flew from different countries to listen and support me. Regrettably, this was the last performance at which my beloved mother and mother-in-law were… I am incredibly happy that they saw me in this kind, bright image, where love and kindness won!
I love this performance very much, the production of director Ilya Anatolyevich Ilyin is simply wonderful, I highly recommend everyone to attend this performance at the Helikon Opera. I also really hope and dream that this production will one day come to Baku.
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What role do cultural exchanges play in strengthening Azerbaijan-Russia relations?
E significance of such cultural exchanges between Azerbaijan and Russia?**
- Absolutely, the concert “Azerbaijan and Russia: an ode to friendship” was a remarkable event that beautifully showcased the rich cultural ties between our two nations. It was an evening filled with emotional performances and heartfelt connections.
Such concerts emphasize the importance of mutual understanding and collaboration through the arts, allowing us to share our cultures, traditions, and histories. In today’s world, where divisions may surface, music serves as a worldwide language that fosters friendship and unity.
Events like this not only highlight the talents of Azerbaijani and Russian artists but also promote cultural diplomacy, bridging our communities through shared experiences. Many attendees expressed their appreciation for the prospect to explore Azerbaijani music and see the creative ways we interpret and combine our influences.
it was a night that deepened not just the cultural ties between Azerbaijan and Russia but also left a lasting impact on everyone involved, proving that our connection in the arts is not only vital but also deeply enriching.