Dedication to the Legend

In the history of each theatre there are names that influenced its development at one time or another, more than that they defined it. The name of the legendary singer Larisa Alexandrovskaya (1904-1980) is the first in this list when it comes to the history of the Belarusian Opera and Ballet Theatre. It was she who performed the title role of Carmen in the production that opened the State Opera and Ballet Theatre of Belarus on 25 May 1933. But not only Carmen, many other productions were staged taking into account her outstanding vocal and acting skills.

Among the brightest characters of Larisa Aleksandrovskaya are Sholokhov’s Aksinia in Quiet Flows the Don by Ivan Dzerzhinsky, Pushkin’s Tatiana and Liza in Eugene Onegin and The Queen of Spades by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Yaroslavna in Prince Igor by Alexander Borodin, Lyubasha in The Tsar’s Bride by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Alesya in the eponymous opera by Evgeny Tikotsky.

People called her voice unforgettable; her name has always been on the posters and in the limelight throughout the Soviet Union. The personality of the prima donna was always surrounded by a certain aura of mystery. People adored, admired and imitated her. They called her "Belarusian nightingale", "Belarusian Nezhdanova", modern composers devoted her art songs and songs. In 1935 Larisa Aleksandrovskaya chose a place (in the heart of Minsk on Trinity hill) for building of the opera and ballet theatre. In the early 40s, Larisa Alexandrovskaya was the first among Belarusian artists, who was awarded the title of People's Artist of the USSR. During the Great Patriotic War, Aleksandrovskaya, like many other artists, performed in the front lines, trying to support the soldiers by voice, song, conversation.

After the war Larisa Alexandrovskaya returned to the stage. And then she became the principal stage director of the theatre. She managed to stage two premieres in a year. She staged about 15 operas. One of them, Verdi’s Aida was in the theatre's repertoire until 2008.

Larisa Alexandrovskaya was the initiator and chairman of the Belarusian Theatre Society. Books and films have been written about her. The chamber hall of the Bolshoi Theatre of Belarus was named after the legendary singer.

On 15 February we will celebrate 115 years since the birth of the People's Artist of the USSR Larisa Alexandrovskaya. On 19 February opera Carmen will be perform in honor of the famous singer. The performance will feature the Honoured Artist of the Republic of Belarus Aksana Yakushevich as Carmen, winner of international competition Aleksey Mikutel as José, People's Artist of Belarus and laureate of the State Prize of the Republic of Belarus Anastasia Moskvina as Micaëla, People's Artist of Belarus Vladimir Petrov as Escamilio.

Recipient of the Francysk Skaryna Medal Andrei Galanov will conduct.

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The one-day exhibition dedicated to Larisa Alexandrovskaya will take place before the performance at 18.00 in the foyer of the theatre.