On January 19, Tchaikovsky’s last opera in the original version by Yuri Bashmet and directed by Pavel Safonov will be presented at the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall. This performance will continue the line of theatrical projects of the VII Winter International Yuri Bashmet Art Festival in Moscow.

“We will literally fill the entire stage with bright red flowers – poppies, tulips – to create the illusion of a magical garden. Let’s try to imagine what the blind Yolanthe can’t see.I’m creatively interested in this myself, especially since I’m an actor from my first education and from time to time I go on stage myself in my performances,” explains Pavel Safonov, who himself will play the role of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

The premiere of the play took place in July 2025 against the backdrop of the picturesque ruins of the Demyanovo estate, which became the living setting for the mystical story of Iolanthe, the blind daughter of French King Rene, for whom love becomes the strongest motivation to regain her eyesight and see the “light”.

Iolanta is the last opera of the Russian genius. Pure and bright, she is filled with Love – divine, parental and human, devoid of negative characters and traditional conflict. Tchaikovsky composed “Yolanthe” by an internationally recognized composer, but he continued to agonizingly doubt himself, his talent and the ability to say new things; and so, on this edge of dialogue with himself, he created a masterpiece – “I will write an opera that will make everyone cry.”

Tchaikovsky’s score will come to life thanks to the Novaya Rossiya State Symphony Orchestra conducted by Yuri Bashmet, for whom Tchaikovsky is a special composer.:

“No one has told about everything related to humanity better than Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Especially with Russians, with Russia. With a Russian soul. For me, Tchaikovsky is the most expensive composer!”

The main roles in the play will be performed by the artists of the Bolshoi Youth Opera Program.:

Valeria Tereikovskaya (soprano)- Yolanthe

Danil Knyazev (bass) – King Rene Robert

Arkady Chaikin (baritone) – the Duke of Burgundy

Igor Onishchenko (tenor) – Knight of Vaudemont

Andrey Bulgakov (baritone) – Ebn-Khakiya doctor

Medea Chikashvili (mezzo-soprano) – Marta, Yolanthe’s nurse

Veronika Khorosheva (soprano) – Brigitte

Anna Yurkus (mezzo-soprano) – Laura

The Chamber Choir of the Moscow Conservatory (artistic director – Professor Alexander Solovyov) will take part in the mass scenes.

The festival is supported by Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin and the Moscow Government Department of Culture.

Tickets: https://bmaf.ru/iolanta/