The debut of a symphonic cycle by composer Konstantin Khazanovich titled The Master and Margarita, presented in a literary and musical staging led by Ivan Minevtsev, is scheduled to take the Moscow International House of Music stage. Organizers shared this information with the press in Moscow.
In discussing the cycle, Khazanovich explains that the creative process sought to grasp the novel’s profound meanings and, through music, to pose and explore the timeless questions that thread through Bulgakovs narrative. This reinterpretation transforms Bulgakovs landmark work into a cohesive musical journey that invites listeners to engage with the novel on a fresh, auditory level.
The cycle comprises eight movements performed by the Two Capitals Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Mikhail Golikov. The program features a theatrical component in which three actors present scenes from the novel on specially produced video sets, creating a multimedia dialogue between live music and cinematic storytelling.
Ivan Minevtsev directed the project, bringing to the stage a collaboration that previously produced Onegin, a production acclaimed for its literary roots and recognized with a national cultural award for outstanding stage adaptation of Russian classics in 2022. The current endeavor continues to expand the intersection of theatre and symphonic form, offering audiences a layered experience that blends textual interpretation with musical color and visual media.
Among the featured performers, a renowned soloist with a track record of shaping contemporary performances will interpret the cycle in a role that bridges rock-inflected energy with classical momentum, contributing to a unique hybrid of symphonic narrative and theatrical storytelling. The production promises a compelling fusion of orchestral textures, dramatic pacing, and the play of readings that illuminate Bulgakovs writing for modern audiences in North America and beyond. The collaboration underscores a broader interest in cross-cultural works that translate literary classics into immersive, multimedia concerts, inviting new audiences to experience a Russian literary masterpiece through a modern sonic lens.
As the creative team frames the project, the cycle stands as a testament to sustained adaptation of classic literature for orchestral and theatrical expression. The combination of eight movements, a live orchestra, and cinematic readings crafts an expansive tapestry that invites reflection on faith, morality, freedom, and human resilience, themes that resonate across borders and cultures. The production aims to be more than a concert; it is an interpretive experience that encourages audiences to consider the novel’s questions from a contemporary vantage point and to discover shared human concerns that transcend language and geography.