Conductor Oleg Beluntsov died at the age of 86. This news was announced by representatives of the Moscow State Academic Children’s Musical Theater named after NI. Official information comes from the theater’s website. The cause of death has not been disclosed. The theater’s representatives honored his memory and extended condolences to his relatives.
In a tribute, the theater noted Beluntsov as a hardworking and responsible musician, known for his flexible creative communication with everyone on and off the stage. He was praised for guiding both the orchestra and performers in opera or ballet, and for his ability to apply a personal and sensitive approach. His talent as a peacemaker and diplomat helped teams navigate challenges and turmoil, the theater said.
Beluntsov was born on October 28, 1936. He completed the theory and composition faculty at the Moscow Conservatory in 1966. In 1969, he conducted the orchestra at the Ufa Opera and Ballet Theater. His career later took him to the Perm Academic Opera and Ballet Theater and to PI Tchaikovsky. He also taught at the Perm Music College, the Perm State Institute of Arts and Culture, and the Perm Pedagogical Institute.
From 1994 to 2003 Beluntsov lived and worked in the United States. In 2003 he returned to Russia to become the conductor of the Moscow Chamber Theater under Boris Pokrovsky. He also held positions at Amadeus Theater and NI. Sat. His work left a lasting imprint on the performing arts in Russia and in venues across North America, where Canadian and American audiences benefited from his leadership and artistry.