Yuri himself believes that there is nothing supernatural in his creative destiny. “It seems to me that anyone can achieve certain heights if they want,” the artist said in an interview with AiF. “Of course, this requires certain components, however, I am sure that it is possible.”
Talent...to attract people
I'm probably lucky, but I have one quality... talent, or something, to attract good people who help me improve and move forward. This is my main luck. Maybe those around me understand that they can’t help but help me. (Laughs.)
- How realistic is it for a graduate of the Academy of Music to immediately become a leading soloist of the country’s main theater?
I think this is impossible for a beginner: you will have to work hard at the limit of all your strength for many years! It’s great when you have the opportunity to sing leading parts right away. But, on the other hand, young talent simply physically and psychologically not able to withstand the stress at the beginning of the journey on a par with more experienced artists.
I arrived at the theater quite smoothly and calmly. Moreover, he came with a memorized part of Lensky from the opera “Eugene Onegin”, which I, a young and beginner, was allowed to perform in a repertoire performance. But this did not mean becoming a leader.
- But now, as far as I know, you spend more time abroad.
I remember the day when I first came to the theater: I was very warmed by the thought that I would simply be with him and would be able to work with conductors and accompanists, whom we, students of the Academy of Music, looked upon as a “deity.” The then director of the opera, Margarita Nikolovna Izvorska, asked me: “Boy, would you like to go somewhere after working with us for several years and gaining skill?” To which I made wide eyes and, without even truly understanding what she was talking about, exclaimed: “No, how can it be!”
And I still adhere to this opinion.
- How did you get an internship in Italy?
It’s said loudly, because it was not an internship in the usual sense at some theater. After the international vocal competition, one of the jury members, very good man who I meet, invited me to study under her guidance. She organized accommodation and concert performances so that I had something to live on.
Now I study in the same way in Belgium.
"Enemy of Women"
- Have contracts started to find you on their own?
What do you! You need to worry about contracts yourself: send your resumes to theaters. I'm lazy, so I'm not very active in sending out letters, but the ones that reach opera houses, invitations come to come to the audition. I went there once and it worked! Perhaps next year I will have a production at the Liege Theater of “The Enemy of Women,” written by a modern author in the style of classicism.
The voice is, of course, a unique phenomenon, and even more so a beautiful one, and this is not a surprise to me. As a rule, I am never satisfied with myself, but it’s very nice to hear this, I won’t hide it. Apparently, the fact is that Viktor Ivanovich has long been that incorruptible ear that very subtly controls my voice and can accurately tell about all its shortcomings and advantages.
2016 was a special and even outstanding year for the soloist of the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus, tenor Yuri Gorodetsky. Firstly, on July 25, the singer gave birth to twins - Darina and Mark. Secondly, Yuri took prize place in the popular professional television project “Big Opera”, organized by the TV channel “Russia Culture”.
Young singers from different countries. A stubborn struggle lasted for three months in a row. 12 thematic programs were broadcast. Every Saturday, Belarusian TV viewers fell to their TV screens, rooting for Gorodetsky. Warm words addressed to Yuri could be read on many Internet forums: “On opera stage a great artist with amazing taste and a sense of proportion appeared - Yuri Gorodetsky,” “Go crazy! Yuri is so different! Each performance is an established image. Sometimes tragic, sometimes incendiary, sometimes full of light sadness...", "I never thought that I could compare my beloved Lemeshev with anyone, but I like listening to Yuri even more! Now his phone contains Nemorino, Vladimir and Vakula...” During the competition, Yuri received a lot of rave reviews from the jury members: he moved him to tears with his singing Russian diva Marina Meshcheryakova, and the director and artistic director Helikon Opera Dmitry Bertman said that he would be happy to see the Belarusian tenor on the stage of his theater.
Finally, before the New Year, at the Bolshoi Theater of Russia, during a gala concert of world opera stars and participants in the Bolshoi Opera competition, the results of the singing competition were announced: first place for Ksenia Nesterenko (Russia), second place for Tigran Ohanyan (Armenia) and third place for from Yuri Gorodetsky (Belarus).
Yuri solos on stage Bolshoi Theater Belarus is 10 years old. Winner of the Francysk Skaryna Medal. Participated in many international competitions and won. He treated the “Big Opera” television project very responsibly, although he understood that it was not so much a competition as a show. Gorodetsky fit into it.
Yuri Gorodetsky once received the Grand Prix of the special fund of the President of the Republic of Belarus for the support of talented youth.
Usually the Belarusian tenor shines in classical operas. And at the competition he will perform pop hits for the first time. Photo: Mikhail Nesterov
The new concert season for Yuri Gorodetsky will be the tenth. The tenor's arsenal includes pearls of the world repertoire, high-profile international victories, prestigious internships and engagements.
On October 8, the “Big Opera” music television competition starts. For the fourth time, the jury, which includes stars of the world stage, will have to choose the most talented young vocalist.
Two years ago, third place was taken by the soloist of the Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater of Belarus Ilya Silchukov. When the main theater of the republic was offered to send its artist to the competition again, the management immediately decided: we delegate Gorodetsky!
THE VIEWER SHOULD BE IN CAPTURE OF ILLUSIONS
- Yuri, is “Big Opera” a happy accident for you?
You could say that too. I would never have decided to apply for this competition myself. But fate gave me a lucky ticket.
- Don't you think that vocal competitions turned into a pure show?
I noticed this back at the BBC opera competition in Cardiff: cameramen filmed every step of the participants. There are seconds left before going on stage, and there is a camera centimeters from your face. Everything is recorded: from a sip of water to a nervous sigh.
In fact, it even turns out to be a reality show. The artist turns into ordinary person with very mundane problems - fatigue, anxiety. Is this necessary? I think it’s better to leave the viewer captive to operatic illusions; we shouldn’t reveal all our secrets to him.
- Why then did you agree to participate in the television project?
- There are many advantages to such competitions. This is a good opportunity for young artists to express themselves. After all, the show is watched by millions of viewers around the world.
- How do you prepare for filming?
I carefully watched the previous issues. I'm thinking about the repertoire. I don’t have the right to reveal all the secrets yet. I can only say that there will be twelve days of competition. This is both the day of opera idols and a program called “Verdi or Tchaikovsky”.
I look forward with interest to the release when we will have to perform to a backing track. For this day I will choose something from good “pop” music from the middle of the last century. Spectators will be interested in seeing opera artists in unusual roles.
- The first issue is the most important. Have you already decided what you will perform?
For self-presentation I chose Nemorino’s romance from Donizetti’s opera “Elisir of Love”. The thing is universal and incredibly complex. But this is my favorite piece of music.
ARTIST - LIKE A SCHOOLBOY
- Why? opera artist starting work on the role?
With basic training. You need to sit down at your desk like a schoolboy and memorize the text. There is no escape from this.
In one of his interviews, pianist Grigory Sokolov spoke very interestingly about his “relationship” with the piano. What is the relationship between vocalists and their voice?
Having a tool within yourself is a great responsibility and discipline. Over the course of ten years, various metamorphoses occurred with the voice. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. In general, singing is not normal, it is not a very natural human state. And to sing well - even more so. If it works, I’m always wary: “How did I do this?”
The actor who does not dream of playing Hamlet is a bad actor. Continue the phrase: the tenor who doesn’t dream of singing is bad...
-...Othello. If we talk about other roles, these are the textbook Jose from “Carmen”, Canio from “Pagliacci”. I would really like to sing the entire role of Nemorino in “Elisir of Love.”
DOSSIER "SV"
Yuri Gorodetsky was born in 1983 in Mogilev. Graduated from Mogilev music college and the Belarusian Academy of Music. He studied at the Higher Institute of Music in Modena (Italy), studied at the Opera Studio of the Queen Elizabeth Music Chapel (Belgium).
In 2012 - 2014 - participant in the Youth Opera Program of the Washington State University national opera. Since 2006 - soloist of the National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater of Belarus.
FORMULA FOR SUCCESS
TO BE LUCKY YOU NEED TO WORK- IN modern theater a lot is said about the versatility of the artist.
An opera singer must occupy a certain niche, otherwise he will be uninteresting. First of all, for opera functionaries, because the question immediately arises: “How to advertise you?” You can't be an omnivore.
Personally, I now gravitate towards the work of Mozart. Of course, there is also Russian music, my favorites are “Prince Igor”, “Eugene Onegin”, “The Snow Maiden”. They cannot be ignored.
- The world of big opera today is no less tough and cruel than the world of big business?
In the modern opera world you need to constantly prove something. Even to myself. No one will just invite you anywhere, this is an absolute myth! Another thing is an elementary accident, of which there are many examples in history. But all your life you have to work for this very chance.
- Do you have your own formula for success?
In order to maintain vocal health and creative form, you need to constantly balance, be very flexible, and mobile. After all, what we bring to the public is like “Plan A”. The magic begins when, completely unexpectedly for everyone, something happens at a concert or performance that was impossible to achieve during rehearsals.
A good musical moment can change a lot in life. The only pity is that it is impossible to rewind the film, and every time is like the first. You only have one try: go out and eat.
FOR the soloist of the National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater Yuri GORODETSKY, this concert season is special. First of all, because it is an anniversary: for ten years now the tenor has been shining on the stage of the main theater of the country. In the creative piggy bank young singer classical masterpieces, foreign internships, international projects. One of the recent ones, for example, is “Big Opera” on the Russian TV channel “Culture”. Following his success (the Belarusian entered the top three), the soloist was awarded the “Person of the Year of Culture” award in the “Theatrical Art” category.
Yuri, you have repeatedly stated that participation in “ Grand Opera"You are honored. What did the popular media project teach you?
For me personally, filming at the Bolshoi Opera was a rewarding experience. He approached the competition responsibly, but calmly. Although this season was different from the previous ones: the format of the television project was expanded, there were many participants and interesting programs, orchestras and conductors changed. But the essence remained the same - to make opera more popular.
And this, it seems to me, has a reason: opera is considered an elite art. It turns out that if you play it on TV, people will go to the theaters?
The release of an opera on television is the promotion of classics to the masses. Let's remember the twentieth century, when, thanks to cinema and television, they began to actively promote theatrical arts: All channels broadcast recordings of performances. It was in in a good way words " creative warfare", where everyone tried to defend their own. Opera world was no exception.
When I meet new people, sometimes, without saying who I am, I ask: “When are you in last time did you go to the Bolshoi and have you been there at all?” And some people hesitate, calling theatres, the circus, the philharmonic. Fortunately, there are many places in Minsk where you can go. I say: “Come to us, I work at the Bolshoi.” We are on stage to please people.
You know, in the “performance after performance” mode the eye sometimes gets a little blurry. And it is important for an artist to understand what he really does. Recently I sat in the hall at a rehearsal and imagined that I had nothing to do with what was happening. It was as if I had come to the theater for the first time and looked at my work with different eyes. Interiors, architecture, surroundings, orchestra, soloists... After all, the viewer is interested in all this.
Very soon, the Bolshoi will again surprise theatergoers: a new production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s opera “The Magic Flute” is being prepared. An international team is working on its implementation. The artistic director puts on the opera concert hall"Brucknerhaus" in Linz Hans-Joachim Frei. This will be his second work in Belarus: in 2013, the professor released “The Flying Dutchman” by Richard Wagner. What can viewers expect from the next premiere?
It’s difficult to talk about the new “Magic Flute” yet. It seems to me that Fry’s work will be somewhat darker than the previous production, which ran in our theater for many years. Stage conductor - Manfred Mayerhofer. The work is going very hard. We're not that far along yet, but a good chunk of the first act is complete. What are the features? You see, Mozart's opera is not for us new material. But the work on this particular premiere breaks stereotypes. For example, we sing as written in the clavier, period. And the director comes up with his own version of the scenes. That is, the music itself and the meaning do not change, but some effects are added, extras who are present on stage at that moment. This is new.
- But opera is the very type of art when you learn constantly...
Of course, business trips especially help with this. Let's say this season we went on tour to Kazakhstan and Estonia. In May - a block of performances at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow. The “Big Opera” project, which, I won’t lie, I also considered as a way to express myself, had its results: I sang with Maestro Spivakov’s “Moscow Virtuosi”, at a concert in Tver, and in May I perform at the Petrozavodsk Philharmonic. .. You need to travel because you work with colleagues on stage and learn something from them, because it’s not so easy to enter new production. During this time, you can pick up useful innovations from directors and performers in order to bring them to the stage of your native theater. This is fine. However, I admit, now the goal - to actively advance in my career - has faded into the background. This is probably due to the birth of children - a son and daughter. Now my home is much more interesting than anywhere on any opera stage in the world.
- By the way, Yuri, you yourself are not from a musical family?
We didn’t have any professionals, we were all amateurs. They became engineers and doctors, but there was always a piano at home to play. I was born in Mogilev, and grew up in Belynichi, where my parents moved. Studied at music school, sang in the choir, participated in competitions, studied at the House of Pioneers. Of course, we did not have the same opportunities for development as the guys from Minsk. But they were. And I tried to use them as much as possible - somehow I quickly realized that my future life I'm going to connect it with music. I didn’t think about opera specifically at that time. When I entered the Mogilev College of Arts, I realized: to have abilities and talent, good voice not enough, it's only 10 percent of success. Therefore, I had no other options but to work tirelessly. Having then entered the Belarusian State Academy of Music, I only became stronger in this idea. It’s just that by that time I had already truly fallen in love with opera...
In 2006, you received the Grand Prix of the Special Presidential Fund for the Support of Talented Youth. Two years later you were awarded the prize with a certificate from this foundation. It seems to me that at the stage of formation of a young singer such attention is very encouraging.
This was a significant assessment of my work, an indicator that I was noticed and needed. Support for young people in the form of scholarships and grants is needed to grow further. After all, many talented guys come from the outback to Minsk. For an applicant or 1st or 2nd year student at the Conservatory, the Bolshoi Theater is space, a dream. But it is achievable.
By the way, in our theater we have a system for selecting potential soloists: there is a trainee group where senior students of the Academy of Music study. They come to the casting and try themselves on stage. Some graduates have the opportunity to receive an invitation from the Bolshoi Theater. This is real practice, which can subsequently result in employment.
DOSSIER "SG"
Yuri Gorodetsky- soloist of the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus since 2006. He has participated in master classes at the International Academy of Music in Nice and in the Youth Opera Program of the Washington National Opera. In 2008-2009 he studied at the Higher Institute of Music in Modena, then studied at the Opera Studio of the Queen Elizabeth Music Chapel (Belgium).
Awarded the Francysk Skaryna Medal (2016)
History of the Gulyai Pole group
How it all began
In August 1983. Vladimir Boyko and Yuri Gorodetsky met at rehearsals of the Kuban State University propaganda team, where they formed the backbone musical ensemble(VIA).
In 1984, having created their own group (ensemble), they played at dances, weddings, and then worked as a restaurant VIA.
Even then there were attempts to write our own songs. In 1985, when Yuri was drafted into the army, V. Boyko joined the Krasnodar group " Transit".
In 1987. Y. Gorodetsky, having returned from the army, took up rock music as part of one of the Krasnodar rock bands and became one of the founders of the Krasnodar rock club.
In 1988, Yu. Gorodetsky was also invited to the Transit group, in which Vladimir Boyko had already played. The Transit group had part of its own repertoire, written by V. Boyko and Oleg Rechistov and in September 1988 she was invited to participate in a series of concert programs at the Sports Palace in Voronezh, the main participant of which was Vyacheslav Dobrynin.
This acquaintance changed the fate of the Transit group.
Dobrynin proposed a joint concert work and the name of his old group — "Emergency". The team moved to Moscow, and several of their own and Dobrynin’s songs were recorded at the studios of Zharov and Babenko.
By the summer of 1989, for a number of reasons, joint activities with Dobrynin ended, although friendly relations were fully preserved. In the second half of 1989, Yuri Gorodetsky worked for Vladimir Asmolov, whose songs may have in some way influenced his subsequent work.
"Walk the Field"
In December 1989, V. Boyko and Yu. Gorodetsky recorded several new songs in semi-home conditions (some of which were included in the Gulyai Pole repertoire. This was a completely new genre at that time, which such performers as Igor Talkov, group "Lube" And Oleg Gazmanov. Also took part in the recording: Alexander Egorov, who subsequently, in 1993, joined the Gulyai Pole group. The pirates quickly spread the recording throughout the country.
At the beginning of 1990, Yu. Gorodetsky and his accompanying band successfully tried new songs at concerts, and as a result, Boyko and Gorodetsky were invited to work as the “warm-up act” for the group, which was then gaining momentum. Lube". The initiator of this idea was Oleg Golovko, director of the Lyube group and old friend Igor Matvienko.
In November 1990, three more musicians joined Boyko and Gorodetsky, one of whom is the current drummer of the Lyube group - Alexander Erokhin, and the title appears " Walk Field".
Recording of the first album begins" Tramp"(December 1990 - May 1991), published in huge quantities by the company" Melody".
The joint concert activity with "Lube" (November 1990 - April 1993). The group was invited to many of the most popular television programs at that time (" MuzOboz", "50/50", "Morning Mail", "Morning Star" etc.)
From September 1991 to August 1992 the second album " Love, brothers, love", where V. Boyko spoke as mature composer, arranger and sound engineer.
In December 1992, Alla Pugacheva, who liked Vladimir Boyko’s song “On the Night of Christmas,” invited “Gulyai Pole” to open the “Christmas Meetings” program.
Since summer 1993 year, the Gulyai Pole group begins to lead an independent lifestyle and is based at the studio of Evgeny Drozdov. By March 1994, the third album " Siberia", where the "new-old" keyboard player, arranger and composer merged very harmoniously Alexander Egorov.
In the spring of 1994, “Gulyai Pole” composed and recorded the Hymn of the newspaper “Moskovsky Komsomolets” ( MK), with which he successfully performs at the festivals of the people's newspaper. “Gulyai Pole” continues to take part in many large-scale concert and television events - ( 50th anniversary of Victory, Anniversary "MK ", 850th anniversary of Moscow etc.).
In the spring of 1994, director A. Nikishin the clip is being filmed "Siberia", which was repeatedly and successfully broadcast by central channels. “Gulyai Pole” tours a lot.
The group does a lot of charity concert work (WWII veterans, Afghans, hospitals, soldiers and police officers).
In early 1997 it was published new album "Along the streets of Arbat".
In the summer of 1997, film director Sergei Zezyulkov shot for the group a video of Alexander Egorov’s song, written to the words of Alexander Shaganov “Garmoshechka” with the participation of Vladimir Tolokonnikov and look-alike show. This was a very successful, bright and talented work; some TV channels broadcast this video for several years.
In the summer of 1999, Gulyai Pole opens in Luzhniki Great Moscow Beer Festival.
In the fall of 2000, the company of Joseph Prigozhin " NOX MUSIC"a collection is being published best songs groups - " Accordion", whose promotion (as well as the two subsequent albums) was provided by Alexander Mityukov.
In 2001, a new bass player joined the group, an old friend of V. Boyko and Yu. Gorodetsky - Vladimir Globa, and Boyko and Gorodetsky record one of their most beautiful songs - " Mascot".
The group is invited to participate in numerous festivals (“ Golden Hit", "Victoria", "Star Rain", " Southern Nights», « Slavic Circle ", etc.). "Gulyai Pole" becomes a member of the international Club Detective. A collection is being published lyrical songs(ballads).
Since 2005, the team has a new drummer - Alexander Mayevsky.
The group continues to participate in many body - and big concert programs. Notable is the repeated participation of “Gulyai Pole” in memorial concerts Vladimir Vysotsky and events dedicated to Yuri Vizbor V Kremlin Palace and Luzhniki.
A very successful work was the song by Yu. Vizbor recorded by the group " Winter will be great"in a magnificent arrangement by Vladimir Boyko.
« Walk the Field works a lot for charity: for veterans, doctors, wounded soldiers, conscripts, cadets, police, etc. The participation of the group in the action is indicative" Forever in service", held for the families of fallen police officers, intelligence officers, soldiers and officers, as well as numerous appearances in programs charitable foundation "Petrovka-38 "The group constantly participates in promotions" Memory Watch", including in the field, at excavations of the remains of Soviet soldiers who died on the battlefields of the Great Patriotic War.
For the 60th anniversary of the Victory, an album with the same name and the title song was published - Victory. At a military song contest, conducted by the first TV channel, and dedicated to the 65th anniversary Great Victory, song " In war, like in war", written in collaboration with Mikhail Tanich, took 12th place from more than seven thousand songs who participated in competitive program. As of today, material for the new album is ready, as well as video material for the DVD collection.
The group's concert program is very spectacular, versatile and can fit perfectly into both fun folk festivals and serious thematic events.
The voice of soloist Vladimir Boyko, as he put it Oleg Mityaev, has his own, incomparable charisma and charm. Cheerful, festive energy at concerts harmoniously alternates with lyrics, pathos and dynamism.
About a dozen compositions by the Gulyai Pole group became hits, recognizable and loved by the people. The group has numerous awards, including the anniversary medal " 65 years of the Great Victory", order St. V. Prince Dmitry Donskoy and St. Ave. Hegumen Sergius of Radonezh, as well as numerous diplomas, certificates and gratitude.
The group's performances and songs were highly appreciated by many famous cultural figures, the press, politicians, and most importantly, ordinary people.
Good assessment from the Russians.