Sopranos

Victoria Vaksman

In the choir since 2018

WHAT BROUGHT YOU INTO THE WORLD OF MUSIC?

Ever since my first steps, I have been lucky with my wonderful teachers. They made me realize that there was a radical difference between me within the music world and me beyond it. And I did want to be a part of that world.

WHAT PEOPLE OR EVENTS INFLUENCED YOU THE MOST, BOTH AS A PERSON AND AS A MUSICIAN?

My mother is always the first person that comes to my mind when I am asked such questions. And I do not just say it out of gratitude or mere politeness. My mother shaped the tiniest particles of my tastes and my personality. I spent my whole childhood listening to her stories of great artists, singers and conductors (and at the time of her youth, pretty much all of those were indeed great). At the times she left me alone, I entertained myself looking through countless art catalogues. I remember sitting on the floor at 6 years of age and skimming through Bryullov’s catalogue. I found Bryullov’s art scary at times; Picasso’s, on the other hand, seemed absolutely unintelligible but extremely captivating.

Presently, working with Teodor Currentzis is definitely the brightest part of my life. I first met him 7 or 8 years ago and instantly realized what a unique and otherworldly phenomenon he was. Yet as much as I admired his creative output, I could not even imagine that the audience only got to see the tip of the iceberg that his actual work comprised. You can only realize its true scale once you become directly involved in it. All his projects are a chance for each of us to discover something we have yet to acknowledge about ourselves. This happens every single time — can you believe that? While speaking to the whole troupe, he manages to communicate with each member on a personal level. This is my impression, at least: I am but a drop in the ocean, yet Maestro is speaking to me. And we cannot imagine it any other way. We grow due to this dialogue in which both parties trust each other unconditionally. This is amazing!

WHAT IS YOUR SOURCE OF INSPIRATION? WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR CREATIVE IDEAS FROM?

I find talented people incredibly inspiring. Their popularity and scale do not matter: both a well-known public figure and a “no-name” street artist can be hugely talented. To quote Anna Demidova’s recent interview, “talent nourishes talent”. I think this is spot on: I am surrounded by so many outstandingly gifted people that inspiration comes to me seamlessly. Those people energize me and jump-start my creativity. I become interested in what they find inspiring. To my mind, there is nothing wrong with following in the footsteps of geniuses!

DO YOU HAVE A CREATIVE DREAM?

I believe dreams are not really meant to be to be discussed in much detail. All I can say that aside from music school, I also went to folk dance school as a child. Both schools had teachers that were truly faithful to their calling. Ever since then, my second greatest passion in life has been dancing, motion, plastic movement… I should probably stop here. My dream is to bring all my skills and my intuition into a state of perfect synergy. I also hope everything that makes up my whole life right now — the time, the people, the music, the friends — lasts as long as possible!

WHAT DOES MUSICAETERNA MEAN TO YOU?

It is my oxygen! It is a place where inspiration is born. It is a place where people have a blast working, exploring, and dedicating themselves to their ideas. If there is music, there is God. And where God is, there is Love!

musicAeterna choir events

An event of Diaghilev Festival

June 13, 20:00

Perm | House of Music (Shpagin plant)

Hændel. A Dedication Ceremony to George Frideric Handel. Opening concert of the festival

George Frideric Handel (1685–1759)

Augelletti, ruscelletti, aria of Mary Cleophas from the oratorio La Resurrezione, HWV 47 (1708)

Zadok the Priest, Coronation Anthem No. 1, HWV 258 (1727)

E pur così in un giorno – Piangerò la sorte mia, recitative and aria of Cleopatra from the opera Giulio Cesare in Egitto, HWV 17 (1724)

Welcome as the Dawn of Day, duet from the oratorio Solomon, HWV 67 (1749)

Disserratevi, o porte d’Averno, aria of the Angel from the oratorio The Resurrection (La Resurrezione), HWV 47 (1708)

Ah! Crudel nel pianto mio, aria of Armida from the opera Rinaldo, HWV 78 (1711)

Overture to the opera Agrippina, HWV 6 (1709–1710)

Sarabande from the Partita in G major for solo harpsichord, HWV 450 (1700–1705)

De torrente in via bibet, duet with chorus from the psalm Dixit Dominus, HWV 232 (1707)

Oh, Let the Merry Bells Ring Round, aria with chorus from the oratorio L’Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55 (1740)

Piangete sì, piangete, aria of Mary Cleophas from the oratorio La Resurrezione, HWV 47 (1708)

As With Rosy Steps the Morn, recitative and aria of Irene from the oratorio Theodora, HWV 68 (1750)

Alla Hornpipe, No. 2 from Water Music Suite No. 2 in D major, HWV 349 (1716–1717)

Pena tiranna, aria of Dardano from the opera Amadigi di Gaula, HWV 11 (1715)

Amarti sì vorrei, aria of Agilea from the opera Teseo, HWV 9 (1713)

Fermati! / No, crudel!, duet of Armida and Rinaldo from the opera Rinaldo, HWV 78 (1711)

He Saw the Lovely Youth, chorus from the oratorio Theodora, HWV 68 (1750)

Ah! Stigie larve — Vaghe pupille, recitative and aria of Orlando from the opera Orlando, HWV 31 (1733)

Oh Love Divine, Thou Source of Fame, chorus from the oratorio Theodora, HWV 68 (1750)

Performers:
musicAeterna orchestra and choir
musicAeterna Dance company
artists from the Anton Rubinstein Academy

Conductor – Teodor Currentzis

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An event of Diaghilev Festival

June 14, 20:00