The General Director and Artistic Director of Helikon Opera Theater, Dmitry Bertman, spoke about the decision to end contracts with foreign partners, as reported by TASS. The remarks reflect a shift in international collaborations and the theater’s approach to its global engagements.
Bertman stated that all agreements with foreign venues have been canceled, with one contract already paused. The move signals a reevaluation of cross-border partnerships and the theater’s strategic direction in the current theatrical landscape.
Despite these changes, the theater’s soloists are maintaining their international schedules. Bertman noted that several performers are continuing to tour across Europe, underscoring the company’s ongoing artistic presence on the world stage while contracts with the organizations have been adjusted.
He highlighted recent milestones, mentioning a soloist who appeared at the Vienna State Opera and another who has been performing at major European houses. Additional soloists have extended appearances at Covent Garden and the Metropolitan Opera, illustrating the individual artists’ continued visibility in prestigious venues despite broader contractual shifts.
In terms of new opportunities, Bertman explained that Helikon Opera is actively exploring and opening venues in different markets. He pointed to a recent tour in Thailand and participation in the International Music and Dance Festival in Bangkok as evidence of the company’s efforts to reach diverse audiences. In Thailand, Russian artists presented fresh repertoire, including Verdi’s Aida, signaling a push to introduce contemporary and classic works to international audiences.
Meanwhile, in Japan, music industry observers noted a sentiment of longing for Russian artists, even amid a broader sense of Western changes. The reception suggested that Japanese audiences and organizers maintain a continued appreciation for Russian classical performances, despite the evolving Western cultural climate.
Earlier statements from others associated with the company discuss why Russian artists remain engaged internationally and how regional audiences respond to this repertoire, underscoring the dynamic relationship between artistic exchange and political or economic shifts on the global stage.