Russian Opera Workshop to Stage Philadelphia Premiere of Anton Rubinstein's THE DEMON

In its fifth season, Russian Opera Workshop presents in-concert opera productions of Anton Rubinstein's The Demon, a Philadelphia premiere (June 23-25), and Tchaikovsky's last opera Iolanta (July 28-30). Performances are sung in Russian with English supertitles, with Founder & Music Director Ghenady Meirson at the piano. The artists are introduced in the "preview" Russian Romances concerts Monday June 22 and July 27. All performances are free to public and start at 7:30 PM at the Helen Corning Warden Theater at the Academy of Vocal Arts, 1920 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, 19103.

Known for its dynamic educational structure, top notch professional faculty, revivals of seldom performed operas and free public performances filled to capacity, Russian Opera Workshop 2015 brings aspiring opera artists to Philadelphia from across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

During the course of each month, the faculty members (marked with **) conduct a series of Master Classes, which are open to general public at no charge.

"Rubinstein's The Demon was composed in 1871 and premiered in 1875 in St. Petersburg, with libretto by Pavel Viskovatov based on the popular poem of the same name by Mikhail Lermontov which was banned in Russia until 1860. While being still often performed in Russia, the opera is a rare event in the West. On June 23, The Demon will receive its premiere in Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia premiere performance of The Demon includes a chorus comprised of singers from the local choral groups: Philadelphia Singers, Choral Arts Philadelphia and Mendelssohn Club, with Julia Zavadsky (faculty at Rutgers University) as the chorus master.

"From a training perspective, the Workshop helps to place rarely performed Russian operas on the map, making our important contribution to the visibility of these great works," said Meirson. "I was happy that this season The Metropolitan Opera produced Tchaikovsky's Iolanta for the first time in their history, with Anna Netrebko in the title role. This summer marks my sixth production of this opera. And in January 2015, Dmitry Hvorostovsky made his Demon role debut in Moscow. All of these efforts help bring rarely performed and important Russian operas to life."

Russian Opera Workshop 2015 Faculty:

Ghenady Meirson, Founder & Music Director (AVA and The Curtis Institute of Music)
Dr. Sharon Bain, Russian Language Class (Bryn Mawr College)
Benita Valente, distinguished American soprano (AVA)
Thor Eckert, professional development coach (AVA)
William Stone, baritone (AVA),
Michael Eberhard, Artistic Administrator (Opera Philadelphia)
Daron Hagen, American composer
Michele Scanlon, voice/opera coach (AVA)
Donald St. Pierre, voice/opera coach (Curtis Institute of Music)

Elise Auerbach, voice/opera coach (Temple University)

Russian Opera Workshop 2015 Schedule

All events at Academy of Vocal Arts, 1920 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA 19103.

No tickets/reservations, open seating. More information at www.RussianOperaWorkshop.com

CONCERTS - all start at 7:30 PM:

Monday, June 22

Lecture and Concert of Russian Romances

Introducing Russian Opera Workshop artists. Foreword to The Demon by composer Daron Hagen

Tuesday-Thursday, June 23-25

A. Rubinstein: The Demon, opera in concert, a Philadelphia Premiere

Ghenady Meirson, Music Director and Pianist

Monday, July 27

Lecture and Concert of Russian Romances

Introducing Russian Opera Workshop artists.

Tuesday-Thursday, July 28-30

Pyotr I. Tchaikovsky: Iolanta, opera in concert

Ghenady Meirson, Music Director and Pianist

MASTER CLASSES - all start at 1 PM:

Thursday & Friday, June 4 and 5

Thor Eckert, AVA faculty

Professional Development: Auditioning for competitions, agents and opera companies.

Thursday & Friday, June 11 and 12

Benita Valente, a distinguished American soprano

Vocal master class on standard opera repertoire. Two groups of singers on consecutive days.

Thursday & Friday, July 9 and 10

Michael Eberhard, Artistic Administrator at Opera Philadelphia

Professional Development Auditioning. Two groups of singers on consecutive days.

Thursday & Friday, July 16 and 17

William Stone, Baritone, AVA faculty

Vocal master class on standard opera repertoire. Two groups of singers on consecutive days.