The development of international cultural cooperation is an important part of RNG JSC activities. The company appreciates and supports the Art Bridge fund’s projects that are designed to develop cultural ties and international humanitarian cooperation.
Among these cultural projects, is the premiere of the opera “The Bear” based on Chekhov’s play of the same name and set to music by the English composer William Walton.
“The development of a tradition of business-culture partnership is an important part of the company’s activities. Supporting this project is another part of our work in this direction. We plan to expand and deepen our cooperation with the Fund,” said Vladimir Rakitin, CEO of RNG JSC.
On 25 August, the opera “The Bear” was premiered at the residence of the British Ambassador on Sofiyskaya Embankment.
The concert featured vocalist Daria Davydova and the Britten-Shostakovich Festival Orchestra (BSFO) together with its conductor, permanent leader and founder Jan Latham-Koenig.
The Britten-Shostakovich Festival Orchestra is a unique bi-national ensemble, bringing together young musicians and students from conservatoires for a joint artistic project.
The orchestra is named after the great composers of the 20th century – Benjamin Britten and Dmitri Shostakovich. The spirit of creative friendship between the two classics serves as a good example for young musicians to carry on the best performing traditions of classical music in Russia and Great Britain.
The Art Bridge Fund was set up in 2017. Its main goals are to develop, expand and strengthen international cultural relations.
The founder of the fund is Hans-Joachim Frey, a cultural manager working in Austria, Germany and Russia, and artistic director of the Sirius Educational Centre in Sochi. The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Art Bridge Fund is Mikhail Shvydkoy, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for International Cultural Cooperation.
The opera was premiered with the support of RNG JSC.