Helikon-Opera was established in 1990 by the artistic director and the founder of theatre, the People’s Artist of Russia Dmitry Bertman who has already staged more than 80 performances in Russia and abroad, including Spain, France, Germany, Ireland, Canada, Austria, Estonia, Sweden, New Zealand, Denmark. Helikon’s productions are always exciting shows, which give spectators a charge of special energy. The artistic director’s modern approach and adaptation of the Stanislavsky method, the corrosive humour, the speed and sheer vitality of every single one of his new productions have ensured increasing success to Helikon Opera, bringing fresh blood to the lyrical arts. The repertoire of “Helikon-Opera” consists of more than 50 unique performances. The theatre has always been trying to depart the “convenient”, outworn scenic embodiments, to surprise the audience not only with novelty and impudence, but with specctacular vocal and drama performance, at the same time carefully treating a composer’s idea. “Helikon-Opera” is one of the most interesting and attended theatres in Moscow. The troupe of “Helikon-Opera”, which consisted of seven people in the beginning, today totals more than 350 actors, musicians and staff. It is a strong ensemble of soloists, many of which are the honoured artists of Russia, the winners of international competitions and prizes. It is also a symphonic orchestra and chorus which besides repertoire performances gives concerts on the most prestigious Moscow venues. Almost all chorus actors have diplomas of conductors or chorus masters. Soloists of theatre Natalia Zagorinskaya, Larissa Kostyuk, Tatiana Kuinji, Vadim Zaplechnyj, Nikolay Dorozhkin, Igor Tarasov, Mikhail Guzhov and many others act at the most prestigious opera theatres of Europe and America. The theatre has released several CDs and video versions of the performances, staged both in Russia and abroad.

“Helikon-Opera” has earned recognition of opera professionals, having received eight “Golden masks” in different nominations. In 2000 the theatre became the winner of the Moscow opera festival. Today the theatre is well-known outside Russia. The outstanding musicians of the present cooperate with it. “Die Fledermaus” performance in Eviane (2000) conducted by Mstislav Rostropovich became a remarkable event in music world. The production of Verdi’s “Aida” attracted attention in Strasbourg at the festival devoted to the 100-anniversary from the death of G. Verdi, and a concert of chorus and orchestra with a legendary tenor Roberto Alanja awoke great interest. In 2004 the theatre opened the summer festival in Santander with Bellini’s "Norma" in which the opera primadonna Maria Gulegina shone. The concert of “Helikon-Opera” choir with Angela Georgiu also took place in Santander that summer. In November 2004 Dmitry Bertman staged Verdi’s “Nabucco” in Paris and Dijon (France). The performance received positive reviews in European media. The role of Abigail was played by Maria Guleghina and Svetlana Sozdateleva, the soloist of “Helikon-Opera”. In October 2005 Dmitry Bertman staged "Nabucco" again, in Mariinsky theatre of Saint-Petersburg. The conductor was maestro Valery Gergiev. The spectators of more than 50 cities of Austria, Great Britain, Spain, the USA, France applauded the theatre. Numerous reviews in such respected papers as “The Financial Times”, “Le Monde”, “The Independent”, “Washington post”, “Le Figaro”, “Herald Tribune” testify that the theatre is the active participant of world musical process. In June 2007 in "Helikon in Arbat" Dmitry Bertman staged "Il Barbiere di Siviglia" by G. Rossini, and already in September 2007 "Le Nozze di Figaro" by W. A. Mozart was produced.

In October 2008 the premiere performances of "Rasputin" opera by J. Reise were held with great success. "Rasputin" opera was written by Jay Reise based on his own libretto on request of New York City Opera and was dedicated to outstanding American singer Beverly Sills. The world premiere took place on the 17th September 1988. In April 2010 "Helikon-Opera" will celebrate its 20th anniversary.

WEB (Helikon-Opera)

*For a complete list of repertoire please contact the Agency