The New Opera Theatre hosts a distinguished Epiphany Festival in Kolobov from January 19 through January 29. The event opens with the first Russian performance of John Adams’ Doctor Atom, staged under the baton of Andrey Lebedev. Critics from diverse outlets note the significance of this inauguration as a bold contemporary choice that blends modern opera with a storied Russian stage tradition.
Dates January 22 and January 27 mark performances by Novaya Opera, presenting concert renditions of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s celebrated operas The Miserly Knight, Francesca da Rimini, Monna Vanna, and Aleko. The program is designed to honor the composer on the 150th anniversary of his birth, highlighting the enduring relevance and emotional range of his operatic work for audiences today.
The festival also features a standout performance titled At the End of Time, delivered in a reverse format. The concept invites listeners to experience what is described as winter music, not merely a calendar season but a metaphorical winter of human life. The program comprises notes written over the last century and a half, inviting a reflective journey through musical paths traversed by people and art alike. The concert aims to prompt contemplation on whether the end is looming or if there remains time for renewal and rediscovery in sound.
The Epiphany Festival closes with a curated program conducted by Philip Chizhevsky, a two-time recipient of the Golden Mask award for his leadership and artistry. This finale gathers a convergence of dramatic voice, orchestral precision, and expressive interpretation, leaving audiences with a resonant sense of closure and anticipation for future performances. The festival as a whole showcases a spectrum of operatic and concert works that bridge classical lineage with contemporary interpretation, underscoring Kolobov’s role as a vibrant hub for opera and orchestral events during the winter season.