Opera news and opera music are what we’re all about.
Lviv, Ukraine has become the city to discover: What is opera? What Christmas gift to get our friends? What cheap tickets to purchase to see an Italian opera? Lviv has seen the performance of many a famous opera singer.
Symphony music played by a philharmonic orchestra in an open air concert are something to celebrate. The overture to the Pagliacci and Cavalleria Rusticana operas were included in a CD. People ask: Are Va pensiero and other popular opera songs included in classical concerts near me?
In 2010, there was much opera and classical music to enjoy.
All About Opera and Classical Music in 2010
Read to Discover News in 2010
December 24, 2010
The Lviv House of Opera and Ballet Receives a Gift
…Borys Viktorovych (Kolesnikov) visited Lviv with a new gift. This time, a set of eleven wind, brass and percussion instruments manufactured by some of the leading musical instrument producers of the world was presented to the S.Kryshelnytska Lviv National House of Opera and Ballet and
The value of the instruments is over 800 thousand hryvnias (approx. $100 00 USD). The gift includes a bass-clarinet, a trumpet, a French horn, copper tympani (an instrument similar to four Kozak tulumbas), orchestral bells, marimba, a gong etc. The theatre musicians are indeed pleased. It seems that many of these essential instruments were not available in the orchestra and needed to be loaned for performances.
And so, the official moment of handing over the instruments arrives. In the audience, we see most, if not all, of the opera's personnel, journalists and seated in the main box – the head of the Lviv Regional Administration – Mykhailo Tsymbaliuk and Lviv City Mayor – Andrii Sadovyy. On stage, we have the Lviv Opera House orchestra under the direction of Myron Yusypovych and the event's two «stars» - Borys Kolesnikov and Tadej Eder. The instruments are displayed in the forefront…
View a Short Music Video of the Event, including the full force of the gong and a fanfare performance conducted by Myron Yusypovych.
Lviv House of Opera Receives a Gift
December 16, 2010
Join Us at the Lviv Opera House for Spheres of Harmony
Spheres of Harmony is a unique production, a world premiere, of musical art theatre – the visual in sound.
In antiquity, Aristotle claimed that the movement of the heavenly spheres, in addition to being harmonically ordered and logical, produced a harmonic tone and the «music of the spheres» created a virtual harmony of sound.
The tree of life represents another standard of harmony from time immemorial. In Ukrainian culture, our great-great-great-grandmothers recreated the tree of life on embroidered cloths. Here, we see the mathematical harmony of the prehistorica tree of life's 11 spheres.
Spheres of Harmony is a musical production from the repertoire of some of the world's great classical composers: Wagner, Khachaturian, Lyatoshynsky, Berlioz, Prokofiev, Shostakovich, Barber, Respighi.
Spheres of Harmony is a visual production of unique Lviv art, seen through the eyes of scenic designer Yevhen Lysyk and his students, Tadej Ryndzak and Mykhajlo Ryndzak.
Spheres of Harmony is a philosophical production that compels us to reexamine our own personal life path through the prism of the tree of life: the coming, bacchanalia, true love, the pendulum of life, vanity's march, darkness, invasion and catastrophy, repentance and prayer, farewell, a dream land, the way.
On December 24 and 25, 2010, one third of the earth's population will be celebrating the coming of the Saviour. As the calm of the Christmas night settles upon us, those who come to the Lviv Opera House will have a unique opportunity to join with the global Christian family.
For everything begins with «The Coming» of the Christ Child, or the saviour-warrior as portrayed by Lohengrin, or each of us and ends with «The Way» that leads to eternal life.
«Music, art and light are born of the same spiritual seed and together forge our Spheres of Harmony» - says Myron Yusypovych, project creator.
Listen to «The Coming» - the Introduction to the opera Lohengrin by Richard Wagner, conducted by Myron Yusypovych.
Spheres of Harmony in Lviv, Ukraine
December 7, 2010
A Christmas Gift of Harmony For the People of Lviv
The circumstances of history can be strange.
According to Christian tradition, Jesus Christ, the Saviour, was born during the longest night of the year, at the time of the winter solstice.
Most Christians around the world will celebrate Christmas on December 24 and 25. On the other hand, about 10% of Christians, including many Ukrainians, will welcome the newly-born Christ-child into their homes on January 6 and 7.
For the citizens of Lviv, who consider themselves Europeans and citizens of the world, this disharmony is rather discomforting. After all, although Lvivites love and take pride in their uniqueness and individuality, they don't want to be simply bystanders to world events.
And so, on the nights, when one third of the world's population (2 billion Christians) will be marking the birth of Christ, Myron Yusypovych has planned a unique gift for the citizens of Lviv.
On December 24 and 25, 2010, as the peace of Christmas descends upon the Earth, the citizens of Lviv will have the opportunity to join in spiritual harmony with the Christian family around the world, through a unique experience of music, art and light.
Why? Because it's Christmas time – a time of rebirth, gifts, surprises and joy.
A Christmas Gift of Harmony in Lviv
December 1, 2010
If You Are A Beginner to Opera, Pagliacci is The Opera to See
The opera Pagliacci is an excellent opera to see, if you are a beginner to the world of opera. As an opera it is short, has a swiftly moving plot within a plot and a typical operatic death scene.
Pagliacci was written by Italian composer Ruggero Leoncavallo. It is sometimes referred to as the famous Italian opera about clowns.
The opera Pagliacci has several clowns:
*the male clowns Canio, Tonio, Silvio and
*the female clown Nedda.
Find Out More about the opera Pagliacci
Continue Reading about Tonio, the Fool-Clown in the Opera Pagliacci
Discover Why Nedda in Pagliacci Must Look the Part
Clown in Opera Pagliacci
November 26, 2010
What is Opera?
Opera is one of the most loved and enduring forms of art.
An opera is a dramatic work that combines music, literature, visual art, dance. In today’s opera productions, what the opera audience sees and hears is often enhanced by technology (lights, sound effects, films).
What are the 15 characteristics of an opera? For us they are: music, drama, composers, conductor’s score, libretti, an orchestra, opera singers, a choir, the ballet, supernumeraries, an opera house, the theatre, the audience, surtitles and the opera conductor.
Continue Reading for more details on What is the opera?
What is The Opera?
November 8, 2010
Famous Opera Singers at Open Air Concerts
It used to be that famous opera singers would never consider singing on an open-air stage. Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras (better known as The Three Tenors) changed all that with their open air concert on the eve of the 1990 Soccer (FIFA) World Cup’s first match.
Since that time, many outdoor concerts of opera and classical music have taken place all over the world and audiences have loved them.
In Western Ukraine, classical music open air concerts have been recently revived due to the efforts of Myron Yusypovych.
View a Music Video Clip of Mariya Stefyuk, a famous opera singer, performing at an open air concert.
Find Out More about Mariya Stefyuk and Goskontsert, the agency that had total and complete control over artists’ lives in the Soviet Union.
Famous Opera Singer Maria Stefyuk
November 5, 2010
Switch on Ukraine for EURO 2012
Conductor Myron Yusypovych has been included in the advertising videoclip Switch on Ukraine. The music videoclip will be broadcast on major European TV channels (Euronews, Eurosport, BBC) as part of Ukraine's promotional campaign for EURO-2012. The official presentation of the videoclip took place in Kyiv on November 4, 2010.
The videoclip was created by Ukrainian director Yulian Ulybin and German cameraman Torsten Lippstock. During their stay in Lviv, they filmed footage at the S.Krushelnytska National Opera and Ballet Teatre.
The videoclip is 90 second long. Myron Yusypovych can be see at the 70th second mark.
View the Video Clip here (a new window will open).
Myron Yusypovych – EURO 2012
November 1, 2010
Conductor Yusypovych Stimulates Alpha Brainwaves with Baroque Music
On Thursday, November 4… you can listen to The Best of the Baroque …
«…each and every one of us needs to stimulate our brains to produce alpha brainwaves (i.e. 8 – 14 hertz, or cycles per second). In this state, our ability to relax, renew and rejuvenate is heightened. Interestingly, one of the best ways to stimulate our brains to produce alpha waves is by listening to Baroque music», explains conductor and music director Myron Yusypovych, who encourages everyone to come out, listen to music and stimulate the production of alpha brainwaves in order to renew and rejuvenate ourselves.
Baroque Music and Alpha Waves
October 15, 2010
Myron Yusypovych Recognized for His Contribution to the Development of a National Culture
Myron Yusypovych was recognized with an Award of Merit by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.
A diploma and commemorative medal were presented by the Ukrainian Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mykhaylo Kulynyak on October 15, 2010. The ceremony took place at the S.Krushelnytska National Theatre of Opera and Ballet in Lviv, Ukraine during celebrations dedicated to the 110th Anniversary of the Opera House.
The Award of Merit was awarded for «high levels of professional skill, many years of dedicated work and significant personal contributions to the development of a national culture».
The Award of Merit is registered under #20839 and signed by the Prime Minister of Ukraine.
Award of Merit
October 13, 2010
Tonio, the Fool – Clown in the Opera Pagliacci
Tonio is one of the clowns in the opera Pagliacci.
- The villagers make fun of him.
- Canio, his boss, slaps him.
- Nedda, the boss’s wife, ignores him.
Frustrated, Tonio is set on revenge.
View an Opera Video Clip of Nedda and Tonio arguing.
Read About the character of Tonio from the opera Pagliacci
Tonio in the opera Pagliacci
September 22, 2010
The World Needs a Museum to House Yevhen Lysyk's Masterpieces
A round table discussion, «Yevhen Lysyk: A Contemporary Review of the Artist's Legacy», took place on September 21 to mark the occasion of, what would have been, the Maestro's 80th birthday.
… the famous opera and symphony conductor, Myron Yusypovych, took part in the discussion – «… the name and legacy of Yevhen Lysyk is part of Lviv's heritage. It is unique. He laid the foundation for an atypical form of drama, where visual drama and musical drama synergize. Subconsciously, he discovered a new form of theatre – the visual in sound or sound visualization. Indeed, this can be a separate genre: combining music, lights and imagery … I would like to suggest that we take several concrete steps toward creating such a vision and sound theatre, a theatre dedicated to the legacy of Yevhen Lysyk…» said Myron Yusypovych, adding that the General Director of the Lviv Opera has already planned to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Yevhen Lysyk with a concert combining music performed by the orchestra and the Maestro's scenography.
Another realistic was proposed by the well known Lviv art researcher, Nataliya Kosmolinska, who suggested that a DVD with production designs by Lysyk and recordings of orchestral music under the direction of Myron Yusypovych be released…
Read the Ukrainian language text (a new window will open).
Lysyk Scenography Museum Needed
September 6, 2010
6 Reasons to Attend Open Air Music Concerts
Why attend an open air music concert that features classical and opera music?
Discover 6 Good Reasons to be a part of summer outdoor music concerts.
Read How open air concerts in Lviv have become a popular tradition
Enjoy a Gala Open Air Concert in Ivano-Frankivsk
Open Air Concerts in Lviv, Ukraine
June 19, 2010
National Lviv Opera Soloists Perform In Concert
The last major event of this year’s Lancut City Days (June 11 – 13) was an open air concert by the soloists and orchestra of the Solomiya Krushelnytska National Opera and Ballet Theatre from Lviv in the program „Charming Operettas“ under the musical direction of Myron Yusypovych…
An interesting and unexpected moment in the program was, when one of the tenors invited the audience to join him in singing the song „O mój rozmarynie“…
This charming and magical concert was a large scale event and the biggest attraction during Lancut City Days. By drawing a huge crowd, the concert reaffirmed how much we crave this kind of art and the significance of such events for the development of a sense of cultural community while developing artistic and cultural tastes.
All that remains, is to recommend that such events take place more often and that great artists be hosted in Lancut.
Anna Błachowicz-Wolny, Korespondent 24
Interesting facts: „O mój rozmarynie“ (also known as „Rozmaryn“) is a popular Polish song from the World War I period.
National Lviv Opera Soloists Perform in Concert
May 28, 2010
It’s Not Just Love…
The newly released CD is the result of the creative collaboration between Myron Yusypovych and K&K Philharmoniker, an orchestra created in 2002 by the Austrian company DaCapo Musikmarketing. (Mr. Yusypovych worked with them until 2007.) The orchestra members were chosen by audition from among the best musicians in Ukraine. For many years, four audio disks recorded by this orchestra have been selling in Germany, Austria, Switzerland. Up to now, no one had the rights to release the disks in Ukraine. Myron Yusypovych and his wife Oksana, obtained these rights…
As to his desire, in addition to wielding the conductor's baton, to put pen to paper, Mr. Yusypovych said: There were two things that have stimulated me to write poetry – my youngest daughter's drawings and music.
Not Just Love Poems
May 25, 2010
Opera Conductor Releases His Second Anthology of Poems
Yesterday evening, there was a double presentation of an opera CD and anthology of poems by Myron Yusypovych at the Lviv “Dzyga” Art and Cultural Center in Lviv. Yurij Kucheryavyj moderated the evening…
The music conductor feels that for an artist (and a composer in particular) the impetus for creating any work of intrinsic artistic value is pathos. “They all agonized – Tchaikovsky, Schubert, Chopin, Glinka, Wagner – each in his own way, due to something deeply personal. As a result, we have enlightened music, a catharsis of love. For my poetry, music is a strong stimulus”, admitted Myron Yusypovych, whose new anthology of poems includes poetic intermezzo based on operatic themes he has conducted.
Opera Conductor Releases His Second Anthology of Poems
May 20, 2010
Lviv Conductor, Myron Yusypovych, Releases a Recoding of Classical Overtures
The new recording produced personally by the conductor Myron Yusypovych includes classical music by Richard Wagner, Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini, Georges Bizet, Ruggero Leoncavallo, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Mikhail Glinka, Julij Mejtus and Mykola Lysenko. Ivan Ohar did the remastering …
For the most part, Myron Yusypovych is a prominent celebrity in Lviv artistic circles. He sells out his concerts, leads an active creative life and responds to various cultural events – from museum expositions to new theatre productions. In every new event, he absolutely rejects all evidence of bad taste, unprofessional outcomes, lack of consistency and polish. In short, every time he expresses his amazement of how, in our reality, there can coexist complete apathy, junk, low quality and real creative inspiration and original creations of others, evaluates them not according to narrow-minded attributes, but accountable standards of excellence.
Read the Ukrainian language text (a new window will open).
May 15, 2010
Famous Male Opera Singers – Modest Menzinsky
Modest Menzinsky (1875 – 1935) was a famous male opera singer, who performed all over Europe. His tenor voice was ideally suited for the full range of operas by Wagner and Menzinsky sang all of them. During his time on stage as a singer, Modest Menzinsky performed every major male opera role in the great opera theatres across Europe. Press critics and the public of the 1920s and 1930s considered Modest Menzinsky to be a great opera singer.
Listen to the tenor voice of a great opera singer.
Read about why Menzinsky is considered a famous opera singer in Sweden, Germany, Austria and Ukraine.
Famous Tenor Modest Menzinsky
April 20, 2010
Gala Concert in Memory of Famous Mezzo Soprano Ira Malaniuk
A Gala-Concert is planned to commemorate the memory of the world famous opera singer, Ira Malaniuk, who was born in our city….
Conductor for the event is Myron Yusypovych.
Ira Malaniuk was born in Stanislaviv (now called Ivano-Frankivsk) on January 29, 1919 and passed away in Zirl, Austria on February 25, 2009… As a singer, she had an exceptional artistic gift – a voice of wide range, unusual timbre, strength and flexibility, which she handled using the highest techniques of performance. She completed her opera career at the age of 50. During her lifetime, she was recognized as a brilliant Wagnerian. Additionally, she achieved unprecedented popularity as a chamber singer. Malaniuk performed in concerts in many cities of Western Europe and on the North American continent (USA, Canada). In 1965, the Austrian government awarded her the Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art, First Class („Österreichischer Ehrenkreuz für Wissenschaft und Kunst Ersten Klasse“).
Read the Ukrainian language text
Discover the famous opera singers Ira Malaniuk.
Ira Malaniuk as Eboli in Don Carlo
March 10, 2010
Conductor From Ukraine Will Lead Olsztyn Musicians
You are invited to the Olsztyn Philharmonia to attend a concert celebrating Artur Milian’s 35 years of artistic endeavors. Myron Jusypowicz from Lviv conducts.
Conductor From Ukraine Will Lead Olsztyn Musicians
February 2, 2010
“Va pensiero” – Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves
The Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves or “Va pensiero” is one of the best known opera choruses. Audiences all over the world love to have it included in any opera chorus concert. For many people, “Va pensiero” is the highlight of attending a performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s opera – Nabucco.
Watching a video of Giuseppe Verdi's classic opera chorus «Va pensiero» is not as good as seeing the performance live. But, it is the next best thing. And, you can do it from the comfort of your own home.
See a Video of a Performance at the Lviv Opera and Ballet Theatre in Ukraine.
Va pensiero – Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves