Soloist of the Hvorostovsky Krasnoyarsk Opera and Ballet Theatre Vladimir Alexandrovich took part in an international audition for performing at the Goldoni Opera House in Livorno (Italy). The Krasnoyarsk bass singer landed a role in the production of Pietro Mascagni's opera Le Maschere.

On February 10 and 11 (during the Italian carnival period), Livorno will host the premiere of Mascagni's opera Le Maschere - a lyrical and playful comedy with a detailed prologue in three acts. The event will be dedicated to the 160th anniversary of Pietro Mascagni who was born in Livorno.

In August and September 2022, an official audition was held for professional singers from all over the world who wanted to take part in the production. 94 bass singers from various countries of the world (the USA, Portugal, Argentina, Spain, Finland, Austria, France, China, and others, but the majority were still from Italy) competed for one of the main roles: the wealthy landowner Pantalone De' Bisognosi. Russian Vladimir Alexandrovich got number 93.

The audition comprised three rounds. In the first one held in August, participants were to perform three arias of different composers and styles. By the second round in September, the applicants had to learn all the musical material of the new role from the piano score including all recitatives and ensembles. Those who passed to the second round received specific notes by e-mail for independent study and were given a little more than a month. The final third round was an acid test for the artists: they had to perform all the solo pieces of their character with the orchestra taking into account all the composer's remarks and the acting.

“After the third stage of the audition had been completed, all the participants were asked to gather in the central hall of the Theatre for the announcement of the result. 15-20 minutes later, the director of the Pietro Mascagni Festival, Marco Voleri, announced: “For the first time in the history of performance of this bass role in the opera Le Maschere, we gave preference to the Russian bass singer from Siberia, Vladimir Alexandrovich, and included him in the first cast.” Then there was a long applause, warm words, and an international contract. This is respect both for Russia and for me. I’m going to Italy in December for rehearsals and interviews on Italian television,” said Vladimir Alexandrovich.