For the first time in history Hermann of Tchaikovsky’s “Queen of Spades” will be performed on 29th September at NOVAT by a soloist of the Mikhailovsky theatre, winner of an international competition Fyodor Ataskevich.
“It’s my first time on the Novosibirsk stage. Soloists have different opinions on this stage – some find it difficult to sing for such a huge auditorium. That’s why it’s interesting for me to examine my skills on this venue – told the artist. – It’s hard for me to evaluate the performance yet, but I’m aware that it’s a modern rendition, and it’s always interesting to see a new approach for classics”.
Fyodor Ataskevich was born in Irkutsk. He received his first musical education with the boys’ chorus at a local Cultural Workers House. In 1994 he was called to arms, and he passed military service as a soloist with the Song and Dance Company of Russian Pacific Fleet. In 2002 he was invited to the Khabarovsk musical theatre, and while working there he cooperated closely with the Khabarovsk philharmonic society. In 2005 he won the international Glinka competition. In 2007 he was invited to the Chelyabinsk Opera and Ballet theatre. Since 2010 he has been a soloist at the Mikhailovsky theatre (St.-Petersburg). Fyodor is currently performing tenor parts in operas by Verdi, Puccini, Leoncavallo, Dvořák, Janáček, and Tchaikovsky at the Mikhailovsky. He toured across Japan with the theatre company.
Fyodor Ataskevich has been preparing many years for that part, refusing to sing it several times: “You must be ready for it, one does not simply perform this part. The history of opera has no other part of that emotional heat, like the one of Tchaikovsky’s Hermann: in couple of hours a decent man turns into a monster in front of the audience’s sight – this transformation is reflected by the music and should be rendered well by a soloist”.
Fyodor Ataskevich performed this part for the first time in 2014 at the Mikhailovsky theatre, and the countess was performed by Elena Obraztsova. As it happens, Fyodor also performed Hermann at the last performance of that great singer.
«The Queen of Spades. The Game» will be performed on 29th September at 19.00. Tickets are available at the box office and on the website novat.nsk.ru.
The picture is taken from the Mikhailovsky theatre website.