We had a chance of attending the dress rehearsal and having a conversation with the singers and the director of the authentic production. It has taken half a year of meticulous preparation to stage the opera. Here are some insights into the production: apart from learning their roles and practicing singing, Turkmen singers had to learn Italian phonetics; the costumes were created using sketches by Italian artists; Merited Art Worker of Turkmenistan Batyr Bekmuradov followed Daniele de Plano’s advice while designing stage sets and recreating an Italian village on stage.
This is what those involved in the production tell about its preparation, sharing their impressions and experience of working in tandem.
Daniele de Plano, a director of the production of Pagliacci:
- Although our collaboration was quite interesting, we had to face the difficulties caused by the language barrier. Kamilla Guy, an official at the Embassy of Italy in Ashgabat, helped us to overcome it. She exercised with every singer individually to ensure their correct pronunciation. Among the Turkmen singers I would like to single out Bibi Amanova, who is singing the lead role of Nedda. Her portrayal of the main heroine as a proud and sensual woman perfectly coincides with my vision of her as the director. I would like to express my special thanks to the Orchestra under Rasul Klychev who is playing the music with absolute precision, while accurately capturing the important nuances in the opera by Ruggero Leoncavallo.
Francesco Anile, a tenor:
- I have sung Canio over a hundred times and that is why it seems to me that Canio is a good half of me now, the singer said with a smile. - We have performed the opera in many countries and it was always a big success. I hope that it will be well received on the Ashgabat scene as well. I found it highly interesting to work together with the Turkmen partners – Bibi Amanova, Ismail Jumaev, Aman Amanov and Nury Nuryev. They are true professionals.
Rasul Klychev, the leader of the State Symphony Orchestra:
The music by Ruggero Leoncavallo perfectly conveys an emotional character of the story. The vocal transitions from gentle lyricism to impetuosity, from a dramatic cantilena to the tragic ending create a musical environment richly diverse and wonderfully expressive.
It was truly exciting to be part of the project implemented under the guidance of and in partnership with the Italian professionals. I hope we can continue our Turkmen-Italian cooperation.
Bakhar Durdyeva, a singer:
- Unfortunately, I am not singing the part of Nedda. Anyway, I am delighted to take part in the opera Pagliacci (even if as a girl in the crowd scene), because working side by side with such top professionals offers a wealth of knowledge and experience. I am impressed by the surrounding atmosphere during the work on the opera and by director Daniele de Plano’s scrupulous interpretation. Every little thing does matter to him. Every gesture, glance and expression is being practiced to perfection in combination with lighting effects. As a singer, I am totally amazed by Francesco Anile’s dazzling performance as Canio, his breathtaking voice and wonderful acting skills.
Stella Faramazova, a concertmaster:
- While memorizing the roles with the singers, I was working with each vocalist individually. We had to devote a great deal of time and effort to mastering their pronunciation. Ruggero Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci is the first European opera staged at the Magtymguly Music and Drama Theater. We have been driven by perfectionism while working on it. The orchestral musicians, principal singers and singers engaged in the crowd scenes, costume designers, sound and lighting operators – we all – are a close-knit team whose collaborative work is vital to the success of tomorrow’s premiere.
