by guest contributor Shelley Hymes
“I am grateful for the opportunity to introduce new generations to the beauty of opera as well as to the importance of cultural sharing which are both fundamental purposes of this unique partnership,” Susan Carmel Lehrman, Founder and Advisory Committee Chair of the Carmel Institute of Russian Culture and History, told Hollywood on the Potomac.
“It is especially exciting to see the collaboration between such talented young performers who are on the cusp of future stardom. We are grateful to Ambassador Sergey I.Kislyak and to the Embassy of the Russian Federation for their continued commitment and support of this wonderful cultural exchange.”
Hon. Jane Harman, Hon. James H. Billington, Susan Carmel Lehrman,Marjorie
Billington, Sylvia Symington, Jacqueline Mars
The Washington National Opera’s Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program and the Bolshoi Theatre’s Young Artist Program have a very unique partnership in the world of opera. This collaboration allows some of the world’s most gifted young opera singers and pianists from both programs to further their development through a two week cultural exchange. The capstone of the exchange is a joint concert, and was held this year in the magnificent ball room within the Embassy of the Russian Federation.
Students
Joel Ayau, pianist, Anastassia Barun, soprano, Hunter Enoch,
baritone, Elena Burrova, pianist, Timothy J. Bruno, bass, Daryl Freedman,
mezzo-soprano, Wei Wu, bass, Kerrian Otano, soprano, Oleksandr Kireyev,
baritone, Ruslana Koval, soprano
Thanks to the Carmel Institute for Russian Culture and History, hundreds of college students from all over the Washington Metropolitan Area were able to enjoy, some for the first time, the beauty of opera and cultural collaboration, alongside VIP’s and more seasoned opera lovers. Each incredible performance combined artists from both programs, and had the audience on their feet with enthusiastic applause and appreciation.
Photo credit: Imagelink photography
