The applause sounded on Saturday night at the Lizner Auditorium made it clear: a large number of spectators came to hear the Russian soprano Hibla Gerzmava together with the Moscow Virtuosi chamber orchestra.

Arias and songs so masterfully performed by X. Gerzmav, the audience was delighted. The singer’s brilliant soprano owned the stage both in the arias from Bellini’s Norma and Verdi’s Robbers, and in Poulenc’s Roads of Love and Ernesto de Curtis’ Ti voglio tanto bene. Her voice filled the hall with ease; however, more restrained moments stood out, made possible by the precise play of Moscow Virtuosi, especially in Bellini’s Casta Diva, where the muffled sound of her voice made a charming impression. Verdi’s powerful H. Gerzmava vibrato in «Stretto» was replaced by smooth, delicate singing in «Ecco … lo son l’umile ancella» from «Adrienne Lecouvreur» by Francesco Cilea.

Although H. Gerzmav’s arias were the highlight of a concert organised by the Cherry Orchard Festival, there were many other joyful moments in the programme. «Moscow Virtuosi» presented several different chamber works which not only connected the parts of the programme together, but also demonstrated the multi-faceted and demanding nature of the team. The 25 strings of the orchestra under the direction of Artistic Director Vladimir Spivakov showed an organic combination of tonality, intonation, musicality and technique in Divertissement No 1 in D Major Mozart, K. 136. In the Chamber Symphony in C Minor, Shostakovich, op. 110, «Virtuosos» revealed a wide dynamic range and accurately accentuated the rhythm; in the Two Elemental Melodies by Edward Grieg, op. 34, they showed rich overtones.

The concert was also attended by young cellist Danielle Akta. She smiled joyfully and her instrument sang – with a large vibrato in Brouch’s «Kol Nidrei» for cello and orchestra, opus 47 – and danced as her fingers enthusiastically moved the strings in David Popper’s «Concert Polonaise» for cello and orchestra, opus 14.

Two beads performed by H. Gerzmav – «O mio babbino caro» by Puccini and «Morgen!» with V. Spivakov’s solo on the violin – evoked silent applause.

Author: Grace Jean

Translation: Svetlana Simonova