The Diva and Her Art
Photos courtesy G. Vishnevskaya Fond
When cellist and conductor Mstislav Rostropovich passed away last year, his
wife, Russian opera diva Galina Vishnevskaya decided to sell the couple’s
collection of Russian art, which they had kept in their home abroad. When the unique
collection of more than 500 items was previewed at Sotheby’s, Russian businessman
Alisher Usmanov bought it in its entirety and returned it to Russia. In accordance
with Vishnevskaya’s wishes and to the relief of art experts who feared the collection
would be divided up, Usmanov presented it to St. Petersburg’s Konstantinov Palace,
where it has been on display to the public since June.
At the end of May the second Galina Vishnevskaya opera singer contest took
place in Moscow. Over four days young soloists from Russia and abroad competed
for the prestigious award. The first prize went to young baritone Roman Burdenko
from Novosibirsk, currently a soloist at St. Petersburg’s Mikhailovsky Theater. A
gala concert featuring the winners was given at Moscow’s International House of
Music.
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