CENTRE for RUSSIAN and BRITISH ART and CULTURE 

The joint project entitled ‘Personality and Culture: Russia-Britain’, which is being conducted by the Centre of Russian-British Art and Culture Voronezh-Winchester and the Associated School UNESCO NOU ‘Intelingua’ Voronezh with the support of the Department of Culture of City District of the City of Voronezh, brings together in the organization of this event a number of public, non-commercial, commercial and public organizations.

The project represents the combination of two programmes: the artistic and educational ten-day ‘Shakespeare in April’ Russian-British Culture event and the ‘Week of Russian-British Culture’ research project and festival, which includes a master class on the art of vocal performance by the tenor Ian Partridge (London) as well as concerts, lectures, presentations, a small-scale round table event entitled ‘The Voronezh musical intelligentsia of the twentieth century’, which this time is dedicated to the Voronezh Chamber Choir (1976-1997) of Oleg Shepel, and a practical academic conference on the theme ‘Culture and Personality: Russia-Britain’, which brings together researchers to discuss topics that are both current and rich in historical discoveries.

The project will involve professionals of various specializations, musicians, music collectives, and civil charitable organizations of the two countries, Russia and the UK. In particular, this event brings together under the positive artistic theme of ‘Excellence in vocal art’ creative people from the cities of Voronezh, Tambov (the Rachmaninoff Ivanovka Museum-Estate), St. Petersburg, Moscow, London and Winchester.

The date of the project was determined with a regard to the ongoing commemorations in honour of William Shakespeare, the marking of the end of the Second World War (1939-1945) in England and complex activities to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War in Voronezh, Russia.

Through its search for new artistic approaches to the study of the history and culture of Russia and the United Kingdom and to the practical implementation of projects on the basis of research and creative work this project facilitates the creation of a favourable starting point for further creative and cultural relationships, new projects in the fields of culture, science, art and education, and tourism.

Ian Partridge’s readiness to take his first trip to Russia to conduct a master class on the art of vocal performance represents an immediate and rare opportunity for both participants and audience to interact with a master of song who has won international acclaim, a man who was involved in musical performance throughout the second half of the twentieth century. Ian gave his consent to travel to Russia in 2013 and has remained true to his word in accordance with his own personal artistic principles. The historical significance of Ian’s arrival in Russia will not be lost on musicologists, but even now a positive, highly professional creative tone can be felt throughout Voronezh musical society. Ian’s visit will open up for artistic people a new pathway for tourism and contemporary art as well as knowledge of the estate culture that characteristic of the Voronezh region.

Chief intellectual components Highlights of the project

– The basis of human personality: Personality and Culture

– The basis of the national character is the preservation of the Russian national classical, schools and traditions of musical performance, alongside respect for and study of the merits of the culture, music and art of the other country, in this case the UK.

Through the strengthening of and respect for the best traditions of the two countries we seek to develop new ideas for cooperation within modern conditions.

The artistic motto of this event is a quotation from the internationally recognized writer William Shakespeare:

The man that hath no music in himself,

Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds,

Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils;

The motions of his spirit are dull as night,

And his affections dark as Erebus.

Let no such man be trusted. Mark the music.

– William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice (Act V, Scene I)

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English text // Tatyana Sirotina 08/04/2015 // @Reveal'd ©tanyasirotina