What is “Helikon”?

There were a lot of opinions upon this question. Some people considered it was the mountain in Ancient Greece where singers and musicians sacrificed themselves to Apollo and muses. Others were firmly convinced that “Helikon” is not something else, but a wind instrument of the immense size. The end to disputes and doubts had been finally put on April, 10, 1990 when the Moscow musical theatre “HELIKON” which united young and talented actors and musicians was born in Russia.

The artistic director and the founder of theatre, the People’s Artist of Russia Dmitry Bertman has already staged more than 80 performances in Russia and abroad, including Spain, France, Germany, Ireland, Canada, Austria, Estonia, Sweden, New Zealand, Denmark. His productions are always the exciting shows, which give spectators a charge of special energy.

The repertoire of “Helikon-Opera” (this is how the theatre is called today) consists of more than 50 performances, each of which is unique. The theatre has always been trying to depart the “convenient” , outworn scenic embodiments, to surprise the audience not only with novelty and impudence, but with bright vocal and drama performance, at the same time carefully treating a composer’s idea. The hall which has 250 seats is always full of spectators, despite quite expensive tickets. “Helikon-Opera” is one of the most interesting and attended theatres in Moscow.

The troupe of “Helikon-Opera”, which consisted of seven people in the beginning, today totals more than 350 actors. It is a strong ensemble of soloists, many of which are the honoured artists of Russia, the winners of international competitions and prizes. It is also a symphonic orchestra and chorus which besides repertoire performances give concerts on the most prestigious Moscow venues. Almost all chorus actors have diplomas of conductors or chorus masters. Soloists of theatre Natalia Zagorinskaya, Larissa Kostyuk, Tatiana Kuinji, Vadim Zaplechnyj, Nikolay Dorozhkin, Igor Tarasov, Mikhail Guzhov and many others act at the most prestigious opera theatres of Europe and America.

The theatre has released several CDs and video versions of the performances, staged both in Russia and abroad.

“Helikon-Opera” has deserved a convincing recognition of opera professionals, having received eight “Golden masks” in different nominations. In 2000 the theatre became the winner of the Moscow opera festival. In 2005 “Les Dialogues des Carmelites” performance won a prestigious theatre prize “Hit of the Season”, established by the Theatrical Workers Union. In 2006 the same prize was given to "Fallen from the Sky" under the motives of Prokofiev's "The story of a Real Man".

Today the theatre is quite famous outside Russia. The outstanding musicians of the present cooperate with it. “Die Fledermaus” performance in Eviane (2000) conducted by Mstislav Rostropovich became the remarkable event in music world. The production of Verdi’s “Aida” attracted attention in Strasbourg at the festival devoted to the 100-anniversary from the death of G. Verdi, and a concert of chorus and an orchestra with legendary tenor Roberto Alanja awoke great interest. In 2004 the theatre opened the summer festival in Santander with Bellini’s "Norma" in which the opera primadonna Maria Gulegina shone. The concert of “Helikon-Opera” choir with Angela Georgiu also took place in Santander that summer.

In November 2004 Dmitry Bertman staged Verdi’s “Nabucco” in Paris and Dijon (France). The performance received positive reviews in European media. The role of Abigail was played by Maria Guleghina and Svetlana Sozdateleva, the soloist of “Helikon-Opera”. In October 2005 Dmitry Bertman staged "Nabucco" again, in Mariinsky theatre of Saint-Petersburg. The conductor was maestro Valery Gergiev.

The spectators of more than 50 cities of Austria, Great Britain, Spain, the USA, France… applauded to the theatre. Numerous reviews in such respected papers as “The Financial Times”, “Le Monde”, “The Independent”, “Washington post”, “Le Figaro”, “Herald Tribune” testify that the theatre is the active participant of world musical process.

The constant “Helikon-Opera” spectators are the famous political figures, businessmen and artists, among them are The Mayor of MoscowYuri Luzhkov, The Governess of Saint-Petersburg Valentina Matvienko, the member of the Federation Council of Russia Natalia Dementieva, Mikhail and Irina Kasyanovy, representatives of diplomatic corps and many others.

The Government of Moscow brings invaluable contribution to the further development of the theatre. Due to its decree the cultural heritage of XVIII-XIX centuries, ex-mansion of Shakhovskoy-Glebov-Streshnevs, where "Helikon-Opera" has been living for more than 10 years already, will be restored and reconstructed. The work on the unique project of restoration, which will allow to keep the historical image of the mansion unchanged and to place on its territory contemporary opera theatre with two halls for 600 and 200 seats, finishes in 2006.

Thanks to concern of the Moscow Government and the Committee of Culture of Moscow theatre won't stop performing during the period of restoration and reconstruction. The Moscow Government passed to "Helikon-Opera" the theatre hall in Novy Arbat 11, where "Et Cetera" theatre was situated earlier. The performances in Novy Arbat go at full speed. In May 2006 Muscovites saw the premiere of "Siberia" by U. Giordano there. In October premiere of "Boris Godunov" by M. Musorgskiy in D. D. Shostakovich edition was held. Both productions were realized with the help of Moscow Government.

In June 2007 in "Helikon in Arbat" Dmitry Bertman staged "Il Barbiere di Siviglia" by G. Rossini, and already in September 2007 "Le Nozze di Figaro" by W. A. Mozart was produced.

In October 2008 the premiere performances of "Rasputin" opera by J. Reise were held with great success. "Rasputin" opera was written by Jay Reise on his own libretto on request of New York City Opera and was devoted to outstanding American singer Beverly Sills. The world premiere took place on the 17th September 1988.

In April 2009 "Helikon-Opera" celebrated its 19th anniversary.