November 20, 2021, is a unique date for the Hvorostovsky Krasnoyarsk Opera and Ballet Theatre. It will hold two events in a single night: the ballet Catarina ou La Fille du Bandit by Cesare Pugni and the first Russian farce operetta Bogatyri (The Heroes) by Alexander Borodin.

Ivan Velikanov, a conductor of the Krasnoyarsk Opera and Ballet Theatre Orchestra, explains how this became possible:

“In the past and current seasons, new powerful creative energies have joined our orchestra team, which not only strengthened the quality of performance but also just enlarged the orchestra. We are gradually approaching the situation of two teams, although we have not reached it. In the farce operetta Bogatyri, the orchestra is not large. Therefore, for the first time, the ensemble will perform in two venues. Orchestras of the Mariinsky and Bolshoi Theatres can participate in four or five events at a time on different stages. In regional theatres, even two ensembles for two events is a rarity.

It’s worth reminding that Bogatyri has received nine nominations for the National Theatre Award Golden Mask; Ivan Velikanov is also a nominee in the category For the Best Work of a Conductor in an Opera. On November 20, the Bogatyri will be performed in the art space loft Quadrat twice: at 15:00 and 19:00. The same evening, the ballet Catarina ou La Fille du Bandit will begin on the main stage of the Krasnoyarsk Opera and Ballet Theatre at 18:00 - a spectacular premiere of the 44th season, conducted by Alexander Yudasin.