02.03.2017
Flawless technique!
People’s Artist of Russia Nikolay Kopylov will celebrate 35 years of artistic achievement at the Mikhailovsky Theatre in March. There will be a performance of Tosca on 18 March in honour of this anniversary, in which the singer will appear on stage as Baron Scarpia, one of his greatest roles. In the run-up to this occasion, friends and colleagues pay tribute to Nikolay.
Nina Romanova, the enchanting mezzo-soprano and People’s Artist of Russia, was keen to be the first to congratulate Nikolay Kopylov.
“We’ve known each other for so long! Actually, it would be more accurate to say we’ve been like family to each other for so long! Thirty-five years at our theatre, and before that three years in Sverdlovsk (Ekaterinburg)! It brings tears to my eyes to recall how much fun we’ve had and how happy our friendship has been. We were so young, we toured so many countries, we made so many stages our own. Remember Edinburgh, where you had to sing every performance of The Queen of Spades! Thank you for your professionalism and your loyalty to the theatre! I don’t have enough room to list all your roles and concerts.”
The remarkable soprano Marina Tregubovich has worked with Nikolay Kopylov for more than 20 years and has never ceased to admire him.
“So many of my colleagues at our theatre inspire me, but Nikolay Kopylov has a special place among them. He’s done a great job: he has spent more than half his life performing, but his vocal health is at its peak. Today, when many young singers’ voices fade after five to seven years, his example of vocal longevity can be called unique. This means that here is someone with flawless technique, who can teach the next generation to take the same kind of care of themselves.”
Fellow baritone Boris Pinkhasovich sees the maestro as a mentor and friend.
“There is a good phrase in Russian — ‘an old comrade’ — which sums up Nikolay Kopylov for me. We’ve worked together in many performances and concerts, and his vibrant, buoyant humour always guarantees a good atmosphere. I’d like to wish him, with all my heart, many long and happy years!”
For Margarita Kunitsyna-Tankevich, acting director of the opera company, her first encounter with the outstanding singer marked the start of her artistic life at the theatre.
“Once, when I was still a student and trainee, I was standing in the wings, trying not to be noticed by anyone, and suddenly I experienced this wonderful feeling, because someone put a large, warm arm around my shoulder and asked me in a deep velvet baritone: ‘Who are you with, young lady?’ I was so overcome that I answered, ‘I’m with you!’ I was trying to say that I was part of the opera company, but that’s how it came out. Twenty-six years have passed since then, and I’m delighted to be able to say once more, I’m with you!”
Nina Romanova, the enchanting mezzo-soprano and People’s Artist of Russia, was keen to be the first to congratulate Nikolay Kopylov.
“We’ve known each other for so long! Actually, it would be more accurate to say we’ve been like family to each other for so long! Thirty-five years at our theatre, and before that three years in Sverdlovsk (Ekaterinburg)! It brings tears to my eyes to recall how much fun we’ve had and how happy our friendship has been. We were so young, we toured so many countries, we made so many stages our own. Remember Edinburgh, where you had to sing every performance of The Queen of Spades! Thank you for your professionalism and your loyalty to the theatre! I don’t have enough room to list all your roles and concerts.”
The remarkable soprano Marina Tregubovich has worked with Nikolay Kopylov for more than 20 years and has never ceased to admire him.
“So many of my colleagues at our theatre inspire me, but Nikolay Kopylov has a special place among them. He’s done a great job: he has spent more than half his life performing, but his vocal health is at its peak. Today, when many young singers’ voices fade after five to seven years, his example of vocal longevity can be called unique. This means that here is someone with flawless technique, who can teach the next generation to take the same kind of care of themselves.”
Fellow baritone Boris Pinkhasovich sees the maestro as a mentor and friend.
“There is a good phrase in Russian — ‘an old comrade’ — which sums up Nikolay Kopylov for me. We’ve worked together in many performances and concerts, and his vibrant, buoyant humour always guarantees a good atmosphere. I’d like to wish him, with all my heart, many long and happy years!”
For Margarita Kunitsyna-Tankevich, acting director of the opera company, her first encounter with the outstanding singer marked the start of her artistic life at the theatre.
“Once, when I was still a student and trainee, I was standing in the wings, trying not to be noticed by anyone, and suddenly I experienced this wonderful feeling, because someone put a large, warm arm around my shoulder and asked me in a deep velvet baritone: ‘Who are you with, young lady?’ I was so overcome that I answered, ‘I’m with you!’ I was trying to say that I was part of the opera company, but that’s how it came out. Twenty-six years have passed since then, and I’m delighted to be able to say once more, I’m with you!”
