US-Russia Cultural Cooperation Unaffected by Political Tensions - Artists

Cultural cooperation between Russia and the United States has not been impacted by the deterioration in political relations between Moscow and Washington, artists told Sputnik.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik), Anastasia Sheveleva — On April 16-18, Sinaisky, former chief conductor and music director of the Bolshoi Theatre, is debuting with the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

“I receive very many invitations from American orchestras, and I am a Russian conductor, we can judge based on that,” renowned Russian conductor Vasily Sinaisky told Sputnik on Friday.

“American managers and orchestras are not afraid of inviting Russian conductors, which is pleasant and a bit unexpected,” Sinaisky said.

The program includes Borodin’s Overture to Prince Igor, Mozart’s Concerto for A-major for Clarinet and Orchestra and Rachmaninoff’s choral symphony The Bells, inspired by a poem by Edgar Allan Poe.

General view of the hall from the Bolshoi Theatre stage in Moscow

© AFP 2023 / POOL

“I can say sincerely that I did not see a hint of tensions, negativity or enmity, when I was communicating with the musicians,” Sinaisky said. “The organizers were very friendly too. At the moment it looks like idyll.”

Sinaisky said that the NSO is “an orchestra of great opportunities,” and added that the choir was also very well prepared.

“I would love to come back,” the veteran Russian conductor said.

Principal soloist at the Bolshoi Theatre Elchin Azizov, who is also debuting with the NSO in Rachmaninoff’s The Bells, shared the same opinion about the cultural arena not being affected by the US-Russia political disagreements.

“The indicator that it [politics] should not and does not affect culture is the fact that this concert is taking place now, and how it has been received by the audience,” Azizov told Sputnik after the opening night.

Azizov shared his very best impressions of the overall performance with the NSO.

“As to the stage, I liked everything very much, the quality of choir, wonderful orchestra, and I am honored to work with Maestro Sinaisky,” Azizov said. “As to the audience, you saw the standing ovation, it was very pleasant.”

"@sergey_silkin: Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow, Russia, April 2015 pic.twitter.com/v7nmgbxPZd"UFF MAGESTUOSO!

— Lidia Rojo (@rojo_lidia) 11 апреля 2015

World renowned Russian pianist Daniil Trifonov also performed at Washington’s Kennedy Center in April, 2015. The audience responded with warm appreciation to his performance of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3.