DERBENT, August 24 – RIA Dagestan. An open-air classical music festival will be held at Derbent's ancient Naryn-Kala fortress on August 28–29.
Two of Russia's leading ensembles —Moscow State Academic Symphony Orchestra and Minin Choir — will perform over two evenings. Conductors: Anton Shaburov and Timofey Golberg. Soloists: Bolshoi Theatre artists Igor Golovatenko (baritone) and Elmira Karakhanova (soprano).
Day one focuses on history and memory: Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture," excerpts from "Romeo and Juliet", the March from "The Love for Three Oranges" and Prokofiev's "Alexander Nevsky."
Day two offers a lyrical program blending Russian opera classics with Caucasian motifs: Tchaikovsky's "Iolanta" and "Eugene Onegin", Rachmaninoff's "Aleko", Borodin's "Prince Igor" plus works by Murad Kazhlaev and Khachaturian's "Lezginka."
The festival is supported by Acting Head of Dagestan Fedor Shchukin and the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives.