.
Now in its 8th year, the ongoing exchange between Washington National Opera’s Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program, a Kennedy Center affiliate, and the Bolshoi Theatre’s Young Artists Opera Program, is a unique partnership that allows some of the world’s most gifted and promising opera singers and pianists to further their development through cultural exchange. A primary goal of this exchange is to provide artists the opportunity to experience training at an extremely high level in a new environment and culture. Each exchange trip lasts approximately two weeks, and to celebrate this exchange, each trip culminates in two joint concerts which unite the members of both programs in performance. This year’s event was hosted at the Embassy of the Russian Federation.
The Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the United States Ambassador Anatoly I. Antonov commented on the evening’s joint concert by saying, “The Russian Embassy is honored to host another joint concert of young artists from the Bolshoi Theatre and the Washington National Opera, which bear the best traditions of the Russian and American opera art. Artists bring their national cultural heritage to foreign colleagues and audiences, rehearse joint musical performances, and unite citizens of Russia and the United States with their concerts. During tonight’s concert the artists will perform various vocal parts in several languages, making it a truly remarkable event. I am sure that it will be a great treat to all opera fans, and it will bring us many vibrant impressions."
Said Susan E. Carmel, Founder and Benefactor of the WNO-Bolshoi Exchange, “While the Bolshoi – Washington National Opera Young Artist’s exchange program is essentially about rigorous artistic training, it is also a vital collaboration that showcases the importance of building bridges through culture to create global unity and overcome stereotypical thinking so prevalent in today's environment We are demonstrating the strength of cultural cooperation through great artistry and wonderful music, which gives us the opportunity to elevate each other to an even greater understanding. The artistic world works cooperatively, and tonight we highlight this cooperation and mutual respect.”
Said Robert Ainsley, Director of the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program, “The language of music speaks across all boundaries, whether linguistic, geographic, or cultural. It has been extraordinarily moving to see how easily and quickly the artists from both programs have found common ground together through art, sharing with pride the beauties of their own cities and cultures, and forming lasting friendships. In their preparations for this concert, and through their hard work with master teachers and coaches, they have learned so much from each other, and helped each other achieve new levels of expression. On both sides, there is a sense of great pride in this connection between two of the world’s great artistic institutions. It has become one of the most unique and beloved parts of both programs, and it has already enriched the lives of many. We remain extraordinarily grateful to Ms. Carmel and the Ambassador for continuing to make this exchange a reality, and greatly look forward to sharing the results of this collaboration with our audience.”
Former Chief of Protocol of the United States and WNO Board Trustee Selwa ‘Lucky’ Roosevelt added, “It is always important to keep some avenues of communication open and cultural exchange such as between the Bolshoi Opera and the Washington National Opera is a wonderful example of that cooperation.”
Librarian of Congress Emeritus James H. Billington concluded, “Russia has created many works of great depth, power and beauty in literature, art, music and prayer. By experiencing ever more fully the diverse treasures of the Russian cultural heritage, can we better comprehend the Russia of yesterday and today—and the positive forces that will forge the future for both Russia and America. The Young Artists Opera Program and the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program permit both our countries to enjoy and understand our respective cultures while enabling ever deeper friendships and dialogue between our peoples.”
The Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the United States Ambassador Anatoly I. Antonov commented on the evening’s joint concert by saying, “The Russian Embassy is honored to host another joint concert of young artists from the Bolshoi Theatre and the Washington National Opera, which bear the best traditions of the Russian and American opera art. Artists bring their national cultural heritage to foreign colleagues and audiences, rehearse joint musical performances, and unite citizens of Russia and the United States with their concerts. During tonight’s concert the artists will perform various vocal parts in several languages, making it a truly remarkable event. I am sure that it will be a great treat to all opera fans, and it will bring us many vibrant impressions."
Said Susan E. Carmel, Founder and Benefactor of the WNO-Bolshoi Exchange, “While the Bolshoi – Washington National Opera Young Artist’s exchange program is essentially about rigorous artistic training, it is also a vital collaboration that showcases the importance of building bridges through culture to create global unity and overcome stereotypical thinking so prevalent in today's environment We are demonstrating the strength of cultural cooperation through great artistry and wonderful music, which gives us the opportunity to elevate each other to an even greater understanding. The artistic world works cooperatively, and tonight we highlight this cooperation and mutual respect.”
Said Robert Ainsley, Director of the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program, “The language of music speaks across all boundaries, whether linguistic, geographic, or cultural. It has been extraordinarily moving to see how easily and quickly the artists from both programs have found common ground together through art, sharing with pride the beauties of their own cities and cultures, and forming lasting friendships. In their preparations for this concert, and through their hard work with master teachers and coaches, they have learned so much from each other, and helped each other achieve new levels of expression. On both sides, there is a sense of great pride in this connection between two of the world’s great artistic institutions. It has become one of the most unique and beloved parts of both programs, and it has already enriched the lives of many. We remain extraordinarily grateful to Ms. Carmel and the Ambassador for continuing to make this exchange a reality, and greatly look forward to sharing the results of this collaboration with our audience.”
Former Chief of Protocol of the United States and WNO Board Trustee Selwa ‘Lucky’ Roosevelt added, “It is always important to keep some avenues of communication open and cultural exchange such as between the Bolshoi Opera and the Washington National Opera is a wonderful example of that cooperation.”
Librarian of Congress Emeritus James H. Billington concluded, “Russia has created many works of great depth, power and beauty in literature, art, music and prayer. By experiencing ever more fully the diverse treasures of the Russian cultural heritage, can we better comprehend the Russia of yesterday and today—and the positive forces that will forge the future for both Russia and America. The Young Artists Opera Program and the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program permit both our countries to enjoy and understand our respective cultures while enabling ever deeper friendships and dialogue between our peoples.”
The views presented in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of any other organization.
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Unique Partnership Offers Young Artists Opportunities for Cultural Exchange
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April 4, 2018
Now in its 8th year, the ongoing exchange between Washington National Opera’s Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program, a Kennedy Center affiliate, and the Bolshoi Theatre’s Young Artists Opera Program, is a unique partnership that allows some of the world’s most gifted and promising opera singers and pianists to further their development through cultural exchange. A primary goal of this exchange is to provide artists the opportunity to experience training at an extremely high level in a new environment and culture. Each exchange trip lasts approximately two weeks, and to celebrate this exchange, each trip culminates in two joint concerts which unite the members of both programs in performance. This year’s event was hosted at the Embassy of the Russian Federation.
The Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the United States Ambassador Anatoly I. Antonov commented on the evening’s joint concert by saying, “The Russian Embassy is honored to host another joint concert of young artists from the Bolshoi Theatre and the Washington National Opera, which bear the best traditions of the Russian and American opera art. Artists bring their national cultural heritage to foreign colleagues and audiences, rehearse joint musical performances, and unite citizens of Russia and the United States with their concerts. During tonight’s concert the artists will perform various vocal parts in several languages, making it a truly remarkable event. I am sure that it will be a great treat to all opera fans, and it will bring us many vibrant impressions."
Said Susan E. Carmel, Founder and Benefactor of the WNO-Bolshoi Exchange, “While the Bolshoi – Washington National Opera Young Artist’s exchange program is essentially about rigorous artistic training, it is also a vital collaboration that showcases the importance of building bridges through culture to create global unity and overcome stereotypical thinking so prevalent in today's environment We are demonstrating the strength of cultural cooperation through great artistry and wonderful music, which gives us the opportunity to elevate each other to an even greater understanding. The artistic world works cooperatively, and tonight we highlight this cooperation and mutual respect.”
Said Robert Ainsley, Director of the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program, “The language of music speaks across all boundaries, whether linguistic, geographic, or cultural. It has been extraordinarily moving to see how easily and quickly the artists from both programs have found common ground together through art, sharing with pride the beauties of their own cities and cultures, and forming lasting friendships. In their preparations for this concert, and through their hard work with master teachers and coaches, they have learned so much from each other, and helped each other achieve new levels of expression. On both sides, there is a sense of great pride in this connection between two of the world’s great artistic institutions. It has become one of the most unique and beloved parts of both programs, and it has already enriched the lives of many. We remain extraordinarily grateful to Ms. Carmel and the Ambassador for continuing to make this exchange a reality, and greatly look forward to sharing the results of this collaboration with our audience.”
Former Chief of Protocol of the United States and WNO Board Trustee Selwa ‘Lucky’ Roosevelt added, “It is always important to keep some avenues of communication open and cultural exchange such as between the Bolshoi Opera and the Washington National Opera is a wonderful example of that cooperation.”
Librarian of Congress Emeritus James H. Billington concluded, “Russia has created many works of great depth, power and beauty in literature, art, music and prayer. By experiencing ever more fully the diverse treasures of the Russian cultural heritage, can we better comprehend the Russia of yesterday and today—and the positive forces that will forge the future for both Russia and America. The Young Artists Opera Program and the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program permit both our countries to enjoy and understand our respective cultures while enabling ever deeper friendships and dialogue between our peoples.”
The Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the United States Ambassador Anatoly I. Antonov commented on the evening’s joint concert by saying, “The Russian Embassy is honored to host another joint concert of young artists from the Bolshoi Theatre and the Washington National Opera, which bear the best traditions of the Russian and American opera art. Artists bring their national cultural heritage to foreign colleagues and audiences, rehearse joint musical performances, and unite citizens of Russia and the United States with their concerts. During tonight’s concert the artists will perform various vocal parts in several languages, making it a truly remarkable event. I am sure that it will be a great treat to all opera fans, and it will bring us many vibrant impressions."
Said Susan E. Carmel, Founder and Benefactor of the WNO-Bolshoi Exchange, “While the Bolshoi – Washington National Opera Young Artist’s exchange program is essentially about rigorous artistic training, it is also a vital collaboration that showcases the importance of building bridges through culture to create global unity and overcome stereotypical thinking so prevalent in today's environment We are demonstrating the strength of cultural cooperation through great artistry and wonderful music, which gives us the opportunity to elevate each other to an even greater understanding. The artistic world works cooperatively, and tonight we highlight this cooperation and mutual respect.”
Said Robert Ainsley, Director of the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program, “The language of music speaks across all boundaries, whether linguistic, geographic, or cultural. It has been extraordinarily moving to see how easily and quickly the artists from both programs have found common ground together through art, sharing with pride the beauties of their own cities and cultures, and forming lasting friendships. In their preparations for this concert, and through their hard work with master teachers and coaches, they have learned so much from each other, and helped each other achieve new levels of expression. On both sides, there is a sense of great pride in this connection between two of the world’s great artistic institutions. It has become one of the most unique and beloved parts of both programs, and it has already enriched the lives of many. We remain extraordinarily grateful to Ms. Carmel and the Ambassador for continuing to make this exchange a reality, and greatly look forward to sharing the results of this collaboration with our audience.”
Former Chief of Protocol of the United States and WNO Board Trustee Selwa ‘Lucky’ Roosevelt added, “It is always important to keep some avenues of communication open and cultural exchange such as between the Bolshoi Opera and the Washington National Opera is a wonderful example of that cooperation.”
Librarian of Congress Emeritus James H. Billington concluded, “Russia has created many works of great depth, power and beauty in literature, art, music and prayer. By experiencing ever more fully the diverse treasures of the Russian cultural heritage, can we better comprehend the Russia of yesterday and today—and the positive forces that will forge the future for both Russia and America. The Young Artists Opera Program and the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program permit both our countries to enjoy and understand our respective cultures while enabling ever deeper friendships and dialogue between our peoples.”
The views presented in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of any other organization.
