Boston and Carnegie share Russian singer dilemma
UncategorizedThe Russia bass Ildar Abdrazakov has withdrawn from the Met and proclaimed his loyalty to the Putin war machine.
But the Boston Symphony and Carnegie Hall have just announced him in the roles of Boris Izmailov and Ghost of Boris in their January 2024 production of Shostakovich’s Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, conducted by Andris Nelsons.
Kristine Opolais sings the title role, but the rest of the cast is packed with Russians. For Abdrazakov, it would amount to a Boston debut.
So what happense now?
Tuesday, January 30, 2024, 7 p.m.
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Andris Nelsons, conductor
Kristine Opolais, soprano (Katerina Izmailova)
Pavel Černoch, tenor (Sergei)
Sergei Skorokhodov, tenor (Zinovy Izmailov)*
Ildar Abdrazakov, bass (Boris Izmailov and Ghost of Boris)*
Michelle Trainor, soprano (Aksinya)
Matthew DiBattista, tenor (Teacher)
Charles Blandy*, Neil Ferreira, and Yeghishe Manucharyan*, tenors
(Foremen)
Charles Blandy, tenor (Drunken Guest)
Yeghishe Manucharyan, tenor (Coachman)
Andrey Popov, tenor (Shabby Peasant)*
David Kravitz, baritone (Millhand)
Dmytro Kalmuchyn, baritone (Porter)*
Joo Won Kang, baritone (Steward)*
Patrick Guetti, bass (Officer and Sentry)*
Goran Juric, bass (Priest)*
Anatoli Sivko, bass (Chief of Police)*
Sava Vemic, bass (Policeman)*
Tanglewood Festival Chorus,
James Burton, conductor
SHOSTAKOVICH Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk
Sung in Russian with English supertitles
Nelsons, the BSO and CH need a divorce from Abdrazakov as Nelsons did years earlier from his ex. Interesting that they, the Nelsons, should be appearing together. About the photo, it isn’t surprising to see the corrupt Domingo next to Putin’s other house pet. As with Pereira, Opera Mafia for all to see.
Love your douche comment. Every trouble in today’s world is anyone speaking Russian. “No Russian musicians, no Tchaikovsky and etc.”
I wonder how you all are still not tired of that. Is it some hidden manifestation of chauvinism?
So you’re annoyed with Ildar but not with Shostakovich…a little inconsistent, aren’t you?
Or the dead “tell no tales?”
And you still think that mad president of Russia is a classical music lover and in-between his speeches to Russian citizens he meets Netrebko-Gergiev to discuss the Rilke poetry and rendition of Bruckner’s symphony by Blomstedt. And afterwards they three go to kill Ukranians. Simultaneously invading all other countries, taking gas, oil and other EU-US amenities.
Truly, the music of the 21st century has collected only the superiority of one nation over another.
No inconsistency here. Shostakovich was persecuted by the regime. His music is a way of fighting the terror, it’s his longing for freedom.
Netrebko and Abdrazakov had a choice of publicly condemning the regime of a madman engaging in numerous war crimes while invading an independent country. The position ‘music is not about politics’ is as applicable as a German singer in 1940s arguing that while he supports Hitler, he should be allowed to perform in Boston. I hope ildar gets expunged from all his western engagements.
I think you are at the wrong website!! You are always only busy with your anti Russia propaganda but you forget that this website is about music ! But I noticed long time ago already that you don’t understand music and therefore talk about everything els then that!
Probably a very frustrated person on the other side of this chat… poor you!
Yes they fit together just perfectly.
[caption] And when I go to Russia, Vladimir lets me touch ALL the girls!
Politics aside for a moment, but who on earth would even WANT to hear Abdrazakov as Boris? I know he sings a lot of heavy rep, but it’s still a Mozart/bel canto bass nowhere near appropriate for that insanely declamatory part.
Never found him the least bit commanding in any repertoire. Just another part of the Gergiev (and ultimately Putin) mafia of mediocrity constantly foisted on too many Western houses – particularly the Met – due to their cheapness and overall malleability to their “Fuhrers” wishes.
I see 3 Russian names in the rather large cast. How is it that the “rest of the cast is packed with Russians”?
Quite right. Apart from Anatoli Sivko, a Belorussian, only Abdrazakov, Skorokhodov and Popov.
Bravo for boston and carnegie hall for hiering russian singers not like the met.
It’s not about being Russian – one does not choose where to be born, but one can choose to condemn violent megalomania and show support and solidarity to people who are in a desperate position not of their own making and I’m afraid you cannot separate music, or anything else, from humanity
Brava. Succinct and perfectly stated.
Why isn’t Placido singing Boris?
My god, the guy is no Ghiaurov or Christoff and is certainly far from indispensable in any repertoire even Russian.
They tried to get Ghiaurov and Christoff, but their agents wouldn’t answer the phone. Same for Talvela, Nesterenko, and Roberto Lloyd. Maybe they can get Ryan Speedo Green.
While I abhor Abdrazakov’s politics, having heard him dozens of times, he is a fine singer. It is a shame he is squandering his career outside of Russia.
People throughout history have made similar soul-searching choices in similar circumstances, albeit with great personal sacrifice.
Those who support Putin have to accept the career consequences. Those who speak up can sleep at night.
It’s Boston, there will be a furor and his contract will be cancelled. It would be shocking if the INS issues him a performance Visa as well.
It is rather strange to stage “Katerina Izmailova” by Shostakovich in Boston.