Main Stage

PERFORMERS:

Hibla Gerzmava

Maria Lupareva

Yulia Matochkina

Alexei Tatarintsev

Ambrogio Maestri

The Mariinsky Orchestra

Hosts: Sati Spivakova, Yulian Makarov

PROGRAMME:

arias and excerpts from operas by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Mikhail Glinka, Richard Wagner, Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini, Vincenzo Bellini, Francesco Cilea, George Bizet

With the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, Rosconcert and Promsvyazbank PJSC

Age category 6+

The Onegin National Opera Awards were created to popularize Russian opera, to define guidelines for excellence in the development of modern Russian operatic theatre, and to spotlight the leading performers of our times. 

The idea behind the creation of this Award comes from the founder of the Awards, Honored Artist of Russia Igor Tarasov. Ljuba Glazkova, CEO of a non-profit Russian Opera Company is also a co-founder.

The legendary Russian baritone, recipient of the prestigious State Award of the former Soviet Union, National Artist of the USSR Sergei Leiferkus was chosen to be the president of the Onegin National Opera Awards.

Before 2016, even though Russia had more than 40 opera theatres, there was no opera award on a nationwide scope to give recognition to the community of professionals on one hand, nor on the other hand to provide any sort of expert opinion regarding quality in this sphere. An award that could help opera goers, admirers and enthusiasts to broaden their understanding of the current state of Russian operatic theatre with its wide geography - from Vladivostok to Vladikavkaz, from Krasnodar to Yakutsk.

The absence of such an award was even more unusual taking into consideration the many awards in other areas of theatre in Russia which take place annually. They celebrate the continuation of mastery in the arts as well as emerging young talent. Award winning films and plays are guaranteed box office success as well as increased attention from audiences and critics alike. Award winning actors, dancers, directors, choreographers become recognized and sought after in their respective professional areas.

For this reason, it’s no surprise that despite the short registration period, more than 24 opera theatres, festivals and other projects submitted their applications for the Onegin Award in 2016. This eager response has solidified the necessity of such an award.

Every year the Onegin is supported by the St. Petersburg Committee for Culture, Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, Presidential Executive Office, philanthropists, sponsors, and other commercial partners.

The Award ceremony is held every autumn in Saint-Petersburg. Not only does it include the ceremony itself, but also charity events and concerts in the days preceding it.