Giacomo Puccini
Gianni Schicchi

“This premiere was produced entirely by the theatre’s own efforts. The only guest person here was Gennady Shaposhnikov, the stage director of Gianni Schicchi and a debutant in opera production. The debutant, however, managed to dowhat more experienced producers do not always do. He created a performance in which the modern form heightens the comic plot, and the stage movement does not suppress the music, evolving in full accordance with its character and rather difficult rhythm. At thesame time each performer is involved in the unfettered play, which paradoxically helps perform most difficult vocal ensembles instead of impeding the singing.”

The Kultura newspaper, 5–11 February 2009

“The performance about a forged will of a dead miser is so funny that sometimes the audience’s laughter drownsthe singing. Neither the transfer of the action from the 18th to the 21st century, nor the “typical Italian” fuss and colorfulness on the stage do not hinder the performers frombrilliantly singing their parts.”

NovayaGazeta,Issue 18, 20 February 2009

“The more than overstated grotesque of the production is,however,vested in a very stylish modern stage cloak and wears dashing costumes, deliberately exaggerating medieval commedia dell’arte (set and costume designer Viktor Gerasimenko).”

“PlanetaKrasoty”, Issue 3, 2009