“The light of a distant planet”

A gala concert in memory of Elena Obraztsova is to be staged by People’s Artist of Russia Alexander Petrov, Artistic Director of the Zazerkalie Theatre. The director described how the concert came about and the emotions he wants it to convey.

"The concert is entitled ‘Planet of Obraztsova’. The concept is based on ‘capturing’ the light of a distant planet that actually exists in the universe: No. 4623, which is named after Elena Obraztsova. We want to revive the stages in her life and her constellation of great roles, at the same time paying a fitting tribute to her musical genius.

“Through her diaries and poems, through excerpts from her roles, broadcasts, photographs and video recordings, we will reconstruct the road travelled by the little girl from the besieged city of Leningrad to the height of fame and the hearts of the people. Her greatness will be demonstrated by the principal roles of her career: Carmen, the Countess and Marfa. The subtlety and diversity of her inner world will be reflected in chamber music, and her joie de vivre and gift for happiness in her love for operetta.

“I think it is essential that the concert should include references to the productions which became part of the Mikhailovsky Theatre’s repertoire with Elena Obraztsova’s arrival — Cavalleria rusticana and L’elisir d’amore.”

The evening will be hosted by Andrey Maximov, who held one of the last television interviews with the singer on Kultura TV channel’s Nochnoy Polyot [Night Flight] programme.