On 16 and 17 November, Muscat, the capital of the Sultanate of Oman, will host events concluding the international project Russian Seasons in the Sultanate of Oman. The project is taking place in the year of celebration of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation Olga Lyubimova noted: “The interest shown by residents of the Sultanate in the ‘Russian Seasons’ projects once again exemplifies the shared approach of Russia and Oman to respecting and preserving the cultural and historical heritage, traditional values, and spiritual wealth of our peoples. Cultural events held in Oman throughout the year—an exhibition of unique diplomatic gifts, ‘Gifts from Khiva and Bukhara to the Russian Imperial House,’ from the State Hermitage Museum collection; a concert by the Valentin Berlinsky String Quartet and the legendary, ‘Lezginka’ Dance Ensemble from Dagestan; educational programs for children from the Soyuzmultfilm Studio; and the final performance by one of Russia’s oldest orchestras, the Ossipov National Academic Orchestra of Folk Instruments—created a vibrant palette of contemporary Russian culture. I am confident that the ‘Russian Seasons’ program left unforgettable and intense impressions on residents and guests of the Sultanate of Oman.”
On 16 November, from 11:00 to 14:00, at the Royal Opera House Muscat in Oman, Mikhail Bryzgalov, General Director of the Russian National Museum of Music, Advisor to the Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation, and primary initiator of numerous cultural and educational projects, will give a lecture entitled Russian and Arabic Musical Instruments from the Collection of the Russian National Museum of Music. The lecture will be combined with a masterclass by musicians from the Ossipov Orchestra of Folk Instruments of Russia.
On 17 November, at 19:00, the Ossipov National Academic Orchestra of Folk Instruments of Russia will perform at the stage of the Sultan Opera (Royal Opera House Muscat) under the baton of the Orchestra’s artistic director, People’s Artist of the Russian Federation Vladimir Andropov.
The program includes Dance of the Buffoons from the music for A. Ostrovsky’s spring fairy tale Snowmaiden by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Variations on the theme of the Russian folk song Grass, Sward (Travushka-muravushka) by Alexander Tsygankov performed by the orchestra, a Fantasy on the theme of the romance Nightingale by Alexander Alyabyev and Henri Vieuxtemps, Tatar Waltz by Salikh Saidashev, a Fantasy on the theme of the romance In the Moonlight by Yevgeny Yuryev, and other compositions selected specially for the concert in Oman.
In the second half of the concert, Russian and Omani musicians will jointly perform two national compositions: Beautiful Oman and The Moon Shines by Vasily Andreev. The Omani composition will feature such instruments as oud, qanun, and drums, whereas for the Russian composition oud and qanun will be required.
The concert will feature soloists of the Orchestra, as well as Sofia Onopchenko (vocal), Honored Artist of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) Albina Degtyareva (jaw harp), and laureate of all-Russian and international competitions Arslan Umurzakov (kuray).
The Ossipov Orchestra is one of the oldest in Russia – last year it celebrated its 105th anniversary. Its history began in 1919, when balalaika players Boris Troyanovsky and the Alekseyev brothers started to form a musical group at the Red Army Heavy Artillery Club to boost the morale of the soldiers. The Ossipov Orchestra is of great importance to Russian musical culture. The distinctive and pure sound, special culture of playing folk instruments, and high artistic level rank the orchestra the unique phenomena of Russian art. The repertoire features original orchestral works for Russian folk instruments and arrangements of classical symphonic music. The orchestra has released about 70 records and over 30 compact discs. It has toured worldwide, however this will be its first appearance in the Sultanate of Oman.
On the same evening, at 18:00, the Library of the Royal Opera House Muscat will host a meeting dedicated to the conclusion of the International Project Russian Seasons in the Sultanate of Oman, where its organizers and participants will share their experiences in preparing and holding the project’s events.
