A couple of highly anticipated debuts were made on 10th November in NOVAT. Puccini’s opera “Turandot” was marked with the first appearance of a soprano singer Anna Dattay, who had previously charmed the audience with a touching performance of Liu’s part and a baritone singer Guriy Guriev, remarkably performed the part of Ping.
These talented newcomers joined the Novosibirsk opera company in the present season. Anna Dattay has recently graduated the Novsibirsk state conservatory named after M. I. Glinka, Guriy Guriev is a four year student. Both Anna and Guriy had the same teacher at the conservatory – National Artist of the RSFSR Zinaida Zakharovna Didenko, but their paths to NOVAT were different.
Anna Dattay got a degree in accounting and spent three years working as an accountant. “I went to the auditions to know the expert opinion on my vocal skills. I decided to try despite I had never really listened to opera. I was admitted. Then of course I had certain difficulties, because I have only been studying music during those five years at the conservatory – told Anna – Zinaida Zakharovna is a very demanding teacher, but at the same time she is attentive and insightful. She is able to find and develop certain skills in a student. Besides that, I went to study intentionally: I knew I had a good voice, but I also realized that this matter requires a lot of work hard not only with my voice, but with me personally. So, I cannot say I experienced critical difficulties, since music already was a part of me, part of my heart and soul and all my being”.
Guriy Guriev has been connected to the musical world since his childhood: “I first started studying music at the age of three. I spent fifteen years mastering my violin skills, and I must say sometimes it felt like hell, although now I am grateful to my parents for making me study back then. Teachers of the Novosibirsk special musical school were the first to notice that I had certain skills, and a beautiful voice. And my first vocal tutor was Olga Yurievna Obukhova – told the artist – I am very happy to be a part of the theatre and I am ready to work hard. Even when I’m tired after a rehearsal, it feels good, because it means I’m advancing, developing”.
To take part in Puccini’s last masterpiece “Turandot” is great honor and great responsibility at the same time for the young singers. The newcomers shared impressions of their first big work with NOVAT.
Anna Dattay: “To tell the truth, I never thought I could make it to NOVAT opera company. But luckily I was noticed and invited to the audition for the theatre. To debut as Liu on the main stage was a blessing for me and I am grateful for that credit. I mastered this part when was yet studying at the conservatory. I love my character because she represents true love – pure and sacrificial one”.
Guriy Guriev: “Puccini’s music, especially “Turandot” is one of a kind, it has its own difficulties and features, amazingly combining Eastern flair and European, Italian opera convention. I was struggling at first, but then I realized Puccini’s music is easier to understand when you try to apprehend and perceive it right on the stage”.
Chief Stage Director of NOVAT Vyacheslav Starodubtsev, who staged “Turandot” stated: “I am happy to welcome in our company two young talented singers ready to work hard and advance professionally. I believe their debuts on this great stage will make a good start for an interesting and exciting artistic career for both of them”.