Vladimir Spivakov and The Moscow Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra Return to CSO

VLADIMIR SPIVAKOV AND THE MOSCOW VIRTUOSI CHAMBER ORCHESTRA RETURN TO ORCHESTRA HALL FOR AN ENCHANTING EVENING OF OPERA AND CHAMBER MUSIC JUNE 4, 7 P.M.

MET Star Hilbla Gerzmava  Makes Her Chicago Debut in Exclusive Midwest Engagement of Spellbinding Program Presented by the Cherry Orchard Festival Foundation

CHICAGO – Maestro Vladimir Spivakov and the acclaimed Moscow Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra (MVCO), return to Orchestra Hall at Chicago’s Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Sunday, June 4, 7 p.m. The Washington Post has hailed the Virtuosi as “a dramatically unified ensemble” with “a sound that would put many full orchestras to shame.” They will be joined by guest soprano and Metropolitan Opera star, Hibla Gerzmava in a program comprised of some of the most popular opera and chamber works. This performance is part of MVCO’s 2017 North American Tour and is presented by the Cherry Orchard Festival Foundation (CherryOrchardFestival.org).

The MVCO, under the baton of Maestro Spivakov, will be showcased in the first half of the program which will open with Mozart’s Divertimento No.1 in D major, K.136 to be followed by Shostakovich’s Chamber Symphony in C minor Op. 110. 14-year old cello virtuoso Danielle Akta (Israel) will then join the orchestra for Bruch’s Kol Nidrei op. 47 for Cello and Orchestra and Popper’s Concert Polonaise, Op.14 for Cello and Orchestra. Following intermission, the extraordinary soprano Hibla Gerzmava, in her Orchestra Hall debut, joins MVCO for the performance of “Casta Diva” from Belini’s opera “Norma;” “Stretto of Amalia” from the Verdi’s opera “I Masnadieri;” “Ecco…Io son l’umile ancella” from Cilea’s opera “Adriana Lecouvreur;” Polenc’s “Les Chemins de l’amour” and DeCurtis’ “Ti voglio tanto bene.” The orchestra will also perform Grieg’s Two Elegiac Melodies, Op. 34: “The Wounded Heart” (Hjertesår) and “The Last Spring” (Våren), and Gulda’s “Hymne À La Beauté” (Hymn To Beauty).

Vladimir Spivakov is renowned throughout Russia as the founder and director of the Moscow Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra and the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia. He is also

recognized worldwide for his performances as a recitalist, guest soloist and guest conductor of leading orchestras, and for his humanitarian activities. He has played with numerous orchestras under great conductors such as Bernstein, Solti, Ozawa, Maazel, Abbado, Guilini and others.

Spivakov founded the Moscow Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra in 1979. Every year the orchestra

performs more than 100 concerts, the majority on tour. Most recently MVCO performed a sold-out concert in London at Barbican Hall. Other tour locations have included all regions of Russia, many European countries, the U.S., Canada, Turkey, Israel, China, and Japan, among others. Performances are characterized by a desire for excellence and an essentially European approach to ensemble, concern for detail and nuance, attentive and creative interpretation of a composer’s vision, and a deep love for the music performed.

Soprano Hibla Gerzmava rapidly established herself as a major force on the international opera stage since becoming the Grand Prix winner of the prestigious International Tchaikovsky Competition (1994). Additional awards and honors since include the Golden Orpheus Theatre Award (2001), the Russian National Theatre Award Golden Mask (2010), as well as the Moscow Prize in the field of literature and arts and the Casta Diva Prize  in the category Best Singer (both in 2010), and the Triumph Award (2011). Gerzmava performed her sold-out debut recital at Carnegie Hall in October 2015. Earlier that year she appeared in at the Metropolitan Opera in role of Antonia in Jacques Offenbach’s opera “The Tales of Hoffmann.” Other MET performance credits include Liu in Puccini’s “Turandot” and, most recently, the role of Desdemona in Verdi’s “Othello.” Gerzmava made her debut at Milan’s Teatro Alla Scala on March 31.

In 2014, at the age of 11, the Israeli-born Danielle Atka performed at Lincoln Center as part of the 75th anniversary gala for the American-Israel Cultural Foundation, hosted by Itzhak Perlman. Other performing credits include performed with the Moscow Virtuosi, the Israel Philharmonic, the Israel Symphony Rishon LeZion, the Jerusalem Symphony, Israel Netanya Kibbutz, the Israel Sinfonietta Beer-Sheba, and the Ashdod Symphony. Awards and honors include winner of the competitions FLAME  (Paris 2014), the Muse international competition (Athens in 2014 and 2015) and the Israeli National Cello Competition (2013). Akta is currently touring in South America and has upcoming concerts scheduled in Mexico with the Israel Philharmonic. She is a grant holder of the Vladimir Spivakov International Charity Foundation and is an Ambassador of the iClassical-Academy, Switzerland.

The June 4 concert at Chicago’s Orchestra Hall is part of MVCO’s 2017 North American Tour, presented by the New York based non-profit organization, the Cherry Orchard Festival Foundation. The Foundation was founded in 2012 and the first Festival was mounted in 2013. Since its inception, the Cherry Orchard Festival welcomed over 84,000 people of all ages to productions that had previously been out of their reach.

The Festival’s mission is to celebrate the international arts in the heart of New York City and beyond, bringing world-class, multi-disciplinary performing and visual arts attractions that are unique and have never been presented before in the US. Their goal is to provide access to their events to everyone; offer modest ticket prices, and whenever possible, offer Festival events that are free to the public.

The Foundation strives to find the newest and most daring projects in the international arts arena to introduce to audiences in New York and in major cities across the U.S. They are proud partners with world-class venues where Festival events have taken place, including New York City Center, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Carnegie Hall, and New York Public Library. For more information about the Foundation visit cherryorchardfestival.org or on Facebook at facebook.com/cherryorchardfest.

Tickets:

Maestro Vladimir Spivakov and Moscow Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra (MVCO), perform in concert with Hibla Gerzmava at Orchestra Hall at Chicago’s Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Sunday, June 4, 7 p.m. Tickets are $55-$125. For tickets or more information visit cso.org.

Discounts of 10% are available for groups of 20 or more and 15% for the groups of 50 or more. For more information call 800.349.0021.