29.11.2016
Success at Onegin Awards
On 27 November, the winners at the first Onegin National Opera Awards were announced. Among them was young Mikhailovsky soloist Boris Stepanov, and extras director Irina Kuzmina.
Boris Stepanov, who became a full member of our opera company a little over a year ago, was chosen in the “Debut” category for his performance as Tamino in the opera Die Zauberflöte.
“It’s rather ironic to be given an Onegin Award a few days before taking to the stage as Lensky. In September, my debut was cut short by a severe cold; I only sang in the first act and Suren Maksutov replaced me in the second. So, this time I feel something of an added responsibility towards the theatre and the audience. And this is not just because of the award for my performance as Tamino,” says Stepanov. “It’s wonderful to receive an award for the work that has brought you the most joy, and Tamino has been my favourite role to date. Every time Die Zauberflöte appears on the theatre’s playbill I really look forward to the performance. I know that many will disagree with me, but I think that German is a very musical language. I find it one of the most comfortable languages to sing in. And of course, Mozart’s music helps; it creates a special kind of thrill, leading the way, inspiring people’s work.”
Irina Kuzmina has worked at the Mikhailovsky Theatre for fifty years. She was recognized in the “Soul of the Theatre” out-of-competition category “for long and faithful service to the operatic arts”.
“This is my first professional award,” says Kuzmina. “I graduated from the Vaganova Leningrad State Choreographic Institute. I started out in the ballet company and then I became an extra. There are roles that I have played at the Mikhailovsky Theatre for several decades. For example, in The Queen of Spades I play the part of the empress. The production premiered in 1982, and I haven’t missed a single performance since then. So, the actual wording of the award, “Soul of the Theatre”, has a special meaning for me. The job of an extra is generally considered a simple one; it seems peripheral and is rarely the focus of the audience. This award has my name on it, but I see it as a token of recognition for our entire department’s work. I’m sure my colleagues feel pride in what we’ve achieved together.
Boris Stepanov, who became a full member of our opera company a little over a year ago, was chosen in the “Debut” category for his performance as Tamino in the opera Die Zauberflöte.
“It’s rather ironic to be given an Onegin Award a few days before taking to the stage as Lensky. In September, my debut was cut short by a severe cold; I only sang in the first act and Suren Maksutov replaced me in the second. So, this time I feel something of an added responsibility towards the theatre and the audience. And this is not just because of the award for my performance as Tamino,” says Stepanov. “It’s wonderful to receive an award for the work that has brought you the most joy, and Tamino has been my favourite role to date. Every time Die Zauberflöte appears on the theatre’s playbill I really look forward to the performance. I know that many will disagree with me, but I think that German is a very musical language. I find it one of the most comfortable languages to sing in. And of course, Mozart’s music helps; it creates a special kind of thrill, leading the way, inspiring people’s work.”
Irina Kuzmina has worked at the Mikhailovsky Theatre for fifty years. She was recognized in the “Soul of the Theatre” out-of-competition category “for long and faithful service to the operatic arts”.
“This is my first professional award,” says Kuzmina. “I graduated from the Vaganova Leningrad State Choreographic Institute. I started out in the ballet company and then I became an extra. There are roles that I have played at the Mikhailovsky Theatre for several decades. For example, in The Queen of Spades I play the part of the empress. The production premiered in 1982, and I haven’t missed a single performance since then. So, the actual wording of the award, “Soul of the Theatre”, has a special meaning for me. The job of an extra is generally considered a simple one; it seems peripheral and is rarely the focus of the audience. This award has my name on it, but I see it as a token of recognition for our entire department’s work. I’m sure my colleagues feel pride in what we’ve achieved together.
