By Olga Smirnova
The Belarusian State Academic Musical Theatre is preparing for the premiere of Sofia Golshanskaya in the new season. This colourful musical combines the music of Vladimir Kondrusevich, the famous Belarusian composer, and the libretto of Yelena Turova. According to the producer, Mikhail Kovalchik — the Honoured Artist of Russia, because of the difficulty of the work, preparation of the performance has taken about four years.
“When there is a performance on such a significant theme, we are looking for an interesting artistic realisation. Sofia Golshanskaya is no less a major figure in our history than Yevfrosiniya Polotskaya or Prince Rogvolod, but only a few know about her,” he says. “The musical is set in the 15th century. Władysław II Jagiełło, King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, is becoming acquainted with his future wife, Vasilisa, the representative of noble Lithuanian Golshanskie family, but his attention is drawn to her 17 year old sister Sophia with whom he falls in love. There are intrigues at the king’s palace, wars and real love and wisdom played out on the stage of the State Academic Musical Theatre in this musical.”
Thirty young, classical ballet dancers, who have been invited to the theatre, as well as about ten graduates of the Belarusian State Academy of Arts will act in the performance, the first of which is planned for November.
