Actor Alexander Domogarov is set to present a literary and musical program titled “Vysotsky’s Roads,” a tribute that marks the 85th anniversary of the iconic poet and singer Vladimir Vysotsky. The performance weaves together spoken word, storytelling, and live singing to illuminate the enduring influence of Vysotsky’s art on generations of listeners in Russia and beyond, offering a fresh lens on a familiar repertoire. Through this event, audiences will experience not only the melodies and verses but also the lived history behind them, inviting reflection on how a single voice could navigate cultural barriers and shape public discourse across decades.
Domogarov speaks from a place of deep respect when describing the material. He notes that this is not a mere recital of songs but a series of compact, intense performances where each number becomes a small dramatic vignette. He observes that Vysotsky himself did not rely heavily on the musical arrangement to carry his poetry; instead, the music served merely as a framework that supported the spoken cadence and emotional truth of the words. As Domogarov puts it, the singer read his poems to music, and that intimate pairing is what makes the performance feel personal and resonant. Yet he adds that no one can replicate the original magic of Vysotsky’s delivery, tone, and timing, which were forged through a unique blend of lived experience, streetwise humor, and lyrical daring. The aim of the program is not to imitate, but to honor and reinterpret the spirit behind the work—pushing audiences to hear familiar lines anew through careful interpretation and stagecraft.
The program includes a conversation with Vladimir Vysotsky’s son, Nikita Vysotsky, who reflects on the lasting significance of his father’s legacy. He explains that the songs and poems persist because they speak to a wide audience that continues to seek truth, courage, and a sense of common humanity in times of social pressure. The piece delves into what Vysotsky called his own path to the listener—a career shaped by obstacles, censorship, and the constant push to be heard in the face of restrictions. This historical arc, from prohibition-era performance spaces to modern stages, invites audiences to consider how artistic voices find channels for expression even when the channels are blocked or constrained. In presenting this material, the program foregrounds Vysotsky’s relentless pursuit of contact with listeners and his unwavering commitment to authentic human expression, even as external forces tried to mute certain perspectives.
In discussing the project, Nikita Vysotsky acknowledges differences in temperament and approach between himself and his father. He emphasizes that while he shares a reverence for the work, there is an essential distinction in how they respond to the public eye. The younger Vysotsky notes that attempting to imitate his father would not serve the performance or the memory of the artist. He has chosen a path that respects the original recordings while offering his own perspective on the themes that defined his father’s art. The dialogue surrounding the project underscores a broader conversation about legacy, authenticity, and the responsibility of succeeding generations to interpret provocative art without losing sight of the original intent. The staging thus becomes a thoughtful meditation on living with a legacy—how to honor it, how to critique it, and how to keep it vital for contemporary audiences who still find resonance in the raw honesty of Vysotsky’s words and songs.