Sopranos

Valeria Safonova

In the choir since 2004

CAN YOU IMAGINE YOUR LIFE WITHOUT MUSIC?

I think I could. I’m a mother, and my child is as important to me as my work. With time, I’ve come to the conclusion that the essence of life isn’t limited to success or occupation — although music certainly makes me happy. Music gives me the sensation of immortality. I fear death most of all — death, old age, disease. But when I’m totally immersed in your work, in music… I can’t even call it “happiness”. It’s pain, it’s joy, it’s tears. But that’s when I feel death doesn’t exist. Happiness is when two notes make a connection to your heart. Nobody can take this feeling away from you, and you don’t even need the stage or the audience to experience it.

WHAT IS THE KEY TO A SUCCESSFUL CAREER FOR A PERFORMER?

It’s hard to say for certain. A whole range of skills is required. First and foremost, it’s natural ability, of course. That alone is not enough though. Certain character traits — the ability to work hard, endure difficulties and present oneself — are just as crucial. I lack those traits: I can’t get over myself and be an active contender for certain roles or insist on auditions. I suspect such qualities can be even more important than talent for a successful career — at least for a soloist.

WHAT THREE MUSIC PIECES DO YOU CONSIDER THE PINNACLE OF MUSIC?

There’s a vast amount of music that I love. I can’t name just three, five or even ten pieces.

What I can say is that some pieces of music feel otherworldly and ingenious. They don’t require any work: you don’t have to suffer and struggle with them. All you have to do is set them free. Two names are sacred to me: Bach and Mozart. Two composers whose every note is ingenious

WHAT DO YOU VALUE THE MOST IN WORKING WITH MUSICAETERNA?

MusicAeterna is Teodor Currentzis: he had his musicAeterna before us, and he’ll probably have one after us, too. Teodor is a true musician for whom compromise is never an option. Working with him is never easy but always rewarding. Of course, you can only live a life of absolute creation when you’re young, free, strong and passionate. That’s what makes musicAeterna beautiful.

musicAeterna choir events

June 1, 21:00

St. Petersburg | Hermitage Museum

The musicAeterna Orchestra and Choir. Ars Vivendi

Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683–1764)
The thunderstorm scene from Act II of the opera-ballet Platée ou Junon jalouse (1745)
Act IV, Scene 4: Entry of the muse Polyhymnia from the lyrical tragedy Abaris ou les Boreades (1763)
Tambourines I, II from the prologue to the lyrical tragedy Dardanus (1739)

Antonio Lotti (1667–1740)
Crucifixus a 8 voci from Credo in F Major (before 1717)

Antonio Vivaldi (1678–1741)
Concerto for Cello and Strings in C Minor, RV 401 (late 1720s)

Allegro non molto
Adagio
Allegro ma non molto

The soloist Rabbani Aldangor

George Frideric Handel (1685–1759)
Ombra mai fu (There was never a shadow), aria of Xerxes from Act I of the opera Xerxes, HWV 40 (1738)
The soloist Andrey Nemzer, countertenor
Furie terribili! (Terrible Furies!), aria of Armida from Act I of the opera Rinaldo, HWV 7a (1711/1731)
The soloist Elizaveta Sveshnikova, soprano
Piangerò la sorte mia (I will mourn my fate), aria of Cleopatra from Act III of the opera Julius Caesar, HWV 17, (1724)
The soloist Elizaveta Sveshnikova, soprano
Venti, turbini (Winds, whirlwinds), aria of Rinaldo from Act I of the opera Rinaldo, HWV 7a (1711/1731)
The soloist Andrey Nemzer, countertenor

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)
Komm, Jesu, komm (Come, Jesus, come), motet for double choir in G minor, BWV 229 (before 1731–1732)
Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden (Praise the Lord, all ye nations), motet for four-voice choir, dubbing instruments and basso continuo in C major, BWV 230 (n.d.)
Erbarme dich, mein Gott (Have mercy, my God), aria of the alto No. 39 (47) from the sacred oratorio St Matthew Passion, BWV 244 (1727–1729/1736)
Soloists:
Andrey Nemzer, countertenor
Vladislav Pesin, violin

George Frideric Handel
Lascia la spina, cogli la rosa (Leave the thorn, pluck the rose), aria of Pleasure from Act II of the oratorio The Triumph of Time and Disillusion, HWV 46a (1707)
Soloists:
Elizaveta Sveshnikova, soprano
Andrey Nemzer, countertenor

Jean-Philippe Rameau
Les Sauvages/Forêts paisibles (The Savages/Peaceful Forests) from Act IV of the opera-ballet The Gallant Indies, (1725/1736)

Duration: 60 minutes

Sold out

June 2, 19:00