International Classical Arts Festival to Take Place in Astrakhan

The press service of the Ministry of Culture of Astrakhan Region has announced that the International Classical Arts Festival "Caspian Seasons" will be held in Astrakhan from August 17 to September 1. Leading artists from Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, as well as creative groups from Uzbekistan and Belarus, will travel to Russia to participate in the event.

The festival will open at Cathedral Square of the Astrakhan Kremlin. The solemn ceremony will feature the Caspian States Symphony Orchestra, conducted by People's Artist of Kabardino-Balkaria Mikhail Golikov, along with stars of the opera stage from Russia and other countries.

Additionally, performances are planned on the shores of Swan Lake, a photo exhibition titled "Russia-Caspian" featuring works by Astrakhan and Caspian region photographers, and an educational program where soloists, musicians, and ballet performers will hold open lessons for the "Vocal Academy," "Orchestral Academy," and "Ballet Academy."

Classical music enthusiasts will have the opportunity to attend a concert featuring participants of the vocal and orchestral academies at the Astrakhan Philharmonic. Solo concerts from the participating countries will also take place there. On the banks of the Volga River, the Youth Symphony Orchestra is scheduled to perform a special program in honor of the Day of the State Flag of the Russian Federation.

Festival guests will also be able to witness the premiere of the opera "Rusalka" by the Astrakhan State Opera and Ballet Theater, which will be held at Cathedral Square of the Astrakhan Kremlin. The final event of the "Caspian Seasons" on September 1 will feature a performance by the People's Artist of Russia, prima ballerina of the Bolshoi Theatre and La Scala in Milan, Svetlana Zakharova.