A unique marathon of arts, the grand scale International Diaghilev's Festival annually held in Perm since 2003, turns it into the cultural capital city of Russia.

The 11th International Diaghilev's Festival was opened by musicAeterna Orchestra. 120 musicians under conductorship of Theodor Kurentzis performed Alban Berg's Concerto for Violin with Orchestra and Gustav Mahler’s First Symphony on stage of the Tchaikovsky Academic Opera and Ballet Theater.

More than 50 various cultural events will take place on 11 festival platforms in the forthcoming two weeks. The festival is bringing together musicians and music and art lovers from all over Russia and abroad. The fact gives credence to high professionalism of the event organizers as well as tourist appeal of the Perm Territory.

Theodor Kurentzis, the art director of the festival believes it is of high importance that the event named after the great impresario Sergey Diaghilev takes place in Perm and in Russia.

Theodor Kurentzis:

- It is a magic field, it is a wonderland, when transformation of the cultural environment takes place, when people start thinking in a different way and become richer in terms of feelings, and everyone becomes a better person, this is when future forecasts become clearer – thanks to the culture that this city bestows.

During 12 festival days till May 25 music fans will enjoy world and Russian opera and ballet premieres, concerts, performances, public walks, an extensive educational program and a set of engaging exhibitions.

The Tchaikovsky Perm Opera and Ballet Theatre will host the world choreographic premiere of Igor Stravinsky’s ballets The Kiss of a Fairy, Petrushka, and The Firebird, the rerun world premiere of Alexey Sumak’s opera Cantos, a concert of the Festival Orchestra, the Resonance Award ceremony, and a concert of the ancient music ensemble Micrologus. Among the most remarkable events there will also be performances of the legendary bansuri flute master Pundit Hariprasad Chaurasia (India), the lyrical singer of Persian poets’philosophy Alim Gasymov (Azerbaijan), and the mystical singer-songwriter Liz Harris, aka Grouper (USA).

The art director of the Diaghilev's Festival points out that one of its most important goals is educational. Theodor Kurentzis has emphasized that art should be the school of spiritual evolution rather than mere entertainment:

- It is a thorough educational project. Master classes are conducted here along with the modern viewer’s laboratory. We have created very large spaces.

This year the International Diaghilev's Festival for the second time will present a unique self-development possibility for young performers and all those interested in modern academic music. The educational program includes master classes held by Theodor Kurentzis, Bruno Cox, and Nadezhda Pavlova; lectures conducted by Alexey Sumak, Alexey Parin, and Levon Akopyan, as well as the world premiere of #Bradburyopera created by graduates of the festival’s training course.

Guests and the main participants of the Diaghilev Festival can be met in the Festival Club near the Opera and Ballet Theater, in the Private Philharmonic Hall "Triumph", the Perm Culture and Art Institute, the Organ Hall and the City Culture Center. In addition to its extensive performance and exhibition schedule the festival offers children's and family programs.

See details on the official site of the Diaghilev International Festival. 

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