2009 Events
Young Soloists from the Metropolitan Opera Make Their Russian Debut at the Palaces Musical Festival in St. Petersburg
Two young soloists from the Metropolitan Opera’s Academy of Young Artists – Jennifer Johnson and Edward Parks – participated in one of the world’s most prestigious international operatic festivals known as “The Palaces of St. Petersburg.” Their Russian début took place on June 18 at the Russian State Museum’s St. George Hall which only recently reopened after a lengthy renovation. The singers began with pieces by Kurt Weill (a U.S. composer known for his work in American musical theater in the 1940s) whose work is rarely performed outside of the United States. The young soloists received enthusiastic ovations from the crowd both at the Russian Museum and at their second concert at Konstantinovsky Palace, St. Petersburg state residence of the Russian president. CG Sheila Gwaltney presented both singers with flowers at the reception which followed. Both concerts generated significant media attention, including an interview with NTV and a 40-minute program on local radio in prime time featuring live music. St. Petersburg TV STO also interviewed Ms. Johnson and Mr. Parks for their program “The Territory of Music”. These performances made it possible for Russian audiences to hear some of America’s most talented singers and add an often overlooked dimension to American culture.