Secular bird. Irina Velichka: “I consider myself a professional singer who does what she can Irina Velichka opera singer biography

Probably, each of us has angels who guide you through life. So my angels brought me to Moscow, which I never intended to conquer, because I was always afraid of it and did not believe that I could find my place there. I knew very well that no one was waiting for me there.
Now I can already say that Moscow received me warmly and kindly, perhaps precisely because I did not try to take it by force. I am extremely glad that I meet people there who help me, support my ideas, and thanks to this, I embody them. There were also fans. Still, I belong to the type of people who believe that no matter what talents a person has, he cannot do anything on his own. We live in a society, in society, and each person depends on another person, today they help you, tomorrow you will help or not help.
And when I'm invited to good concert I also consider this a help.

Does Irina Velichka herself often help?
Judging, at least, by the reviews that they leave me on my website (www.irinavelichka.ru), I think so. And, by the way, I perceive it very painfully if then I also receive for my support.

Does that happen as well?
Happens. All people are different.

Revenge?
No, I just don't forget it.

Are you a vindictive person?
To be honest, yes. I know it's a sin, but I can't forgive the swine...

What is honesty to you?
For me, the most unpleasant thing is when I find out that they wanted to deceive me or deceived me. Whatever the truth is, I will accept it better than a lie. Honesty is an attitude towards a person.

Are there things you have done that you are now ashamed of?
Yes, I have.

Are you trying to fix?
Not everything can be fixed.

You created a vocal competition in Moscow, for what?
Well, firstly, I created two completely different vocal competitions.
Working in Volgograd taught me that I should do a little more than anyone else. Now I have two author's competitions: this is the "Trip to the Stars" competition, it has many different categories and the winners sing on the open stage of the park on the Day of the City of Moscow.
This year it will be held for the third time from August 30 to September 4, 2010. This is a competition for professional performers, in which amateurs can also take part. I call this competition variety, despite the fact that it has a nomination for classical, folklore, children's, and even rock. The fact is that all participants sing to the “minus” phonogram, even in the classical nomination. I introduced this nomination to popularize classical art, and since now you can find or make a “minus” soundtrack classical work, then there are no problems in participation.
When creating this contest, I tried to understand if there really are no good pop voices, hearing what sounds from all sides.
And now I can say with accuracy that there are good voices, just different criteria in show business. I was invited as a guest on the program " back side show business”, it was broadcast on Moscow television, the channel “Capital”, I can only repeat that show business is a business, it has nothing to do with art, creativity. It's the same system as any other business. At first, you invest in it and it is not known whether it will pay off. It’s just that young guys don’t understand that there is work behind the flowers and applause, and many are looking for easy fame, not knowing the other side.
As a professional singer, of course, I am very disappointed that the main criterion is not the presence of a singing voice, but at least the ability to move and, of course, finances.
Anyone who constantly works to the “plus” soundtrack, and roughly speaking, simply opens his mouth, cannot be called a singer. If you call him a clown - the clowns will be offended, if you call him a dancer - the dancers will be offended. They are closer to the illusionists: oh-pa, the cords do not work, but you hear the voice. I would call those who work under the plus - "an artist who lifts the mood" - a completely non-binding wording.
With my competition, I support talented young people who still have singing voice, because this is the most valuable thing that rewards you from above. Your voice is what makes you unique!

When creating the opera competition, did you want to understand where the opera voices are?
No. In order to go to the creation of an opera competition in Moscow, I must admit that I needed to gain human impudence and great desire.
I new person in Moscow, I don’t have a name there yet, as in Volgograd, I’m quite young and still don’t have a lot of practice, there is no authority that should be. And to announce a competition is, indeed, impudence.

But impudence starts and wins!
I, as a professional singer, quite recently went to competitions myself. Seen a lot, heard a lot. It is very important for professional singers to get the laureate at the competition. This desire to win, to feel your superiority, this is your price, your status, your confirmation of professional suitability. I really needed to win! And for me it was the most difficult and difficult period.
Realizing that in Russia it is very difficult to get a laureate if you do not have support from the jury, I tried to go abroad. I heard, I believed that competitions are held more honestly there, and the jury of the competition has no right to nominate their students. This does not mean that they give laureates to everyone there, and it is easy to win there. I did not immediately receive a laureate abroad. I was in Bulgaria and Vienna, but I flew there, although I saw honesty.
I analyzed my mistakes well, listened to those who won, analyzed their victories, searched for correct setting, feed, listened to the voices that were in the standard.
Now, by the way, the standard of sound has changed compared to the last century. I really thought a lot. And the victory in Italy and Greece was a blessing!
In this way, the desire to create a competition in which the students of the jury members would not take part matured, and the assessment was formed independently.
I wanted such a competition to be in Russia! That is why this is the main condition of the Independent International Competition of Opera Performers.
It was held in April, in Moscow, for the second time, and I will try to make it an annual event. The award ceremony and the concert of the winners were held at the Central House of Artists. There were participants from near and far abroad. The competition is already gaining good reputation, the participants themselves speak about honesty and justice.
I will try my best to see the winners. Singers-soloists do not have a sense of comradeship, they are self-sufficient in order to unite and hold on to each other, in comparison with collectives, choirs, ensembles ... That is why I want to support talented voices, I want to unite.

I am sure that we will hear the names of our winners:
Very bright, emotionally sensual soprano Diana Chepik. She very subtly created images of the heroines of the performed arias from P. Tchaikovsky's operas Iolanta (Iolanthe), G. Puccini's La bohème (Musette), Bizet's Carmen (Micaela).

Alexander Gladkov, baritone (university student nomination) - I'm sure he will become world-class singers, he has a thick, flowing, bewitching and attention-grabbing timbre. There is in the voice Russian grandeur, power, strength. His Dirty from "The Tsar's Bride" by N. Rimsky-Korsakov was simply a masterpiece. The conductor Stachinsky V.I., whom I invited to the jury, immediately drew attention to him. Alexander has already received an invitation to work in the performances of the Tsaritsyn Opera.

Victoria Smirnova, soprano (Professionals nomination) - magnificent Snow Maiden European level, the owner of a large voice, not typical for a lyric soprano. A beautiful timbre, excellent presentation, a professional voice and the ability to convey various colors from bright forte to the finest pianissimo. In addition, Victoria is the mother of three children. She was touched by the rehearsal before the start of the competition, when she went through her program with the accompanist, and sat calmly in her arms and listened to her mother sing her one-year-old baby.

Vasilisa Berzhanskaya, soprano (nomination students of schools, Mineralnye Vody), the youngest winner of the competition, 15 years old, and she is already not only the owner beautiful voice soprano with a hint of languidly pouring chocolate, but also showed herself as an adult performer.

An amazing singer, luxurious soprano Yulia Ludko, (professional nomination).
The singer is young, but her aria Butterfly from the opera "Cio-Cio-San" by G. Puccini made a huge impression on all members of the jury, there are so many overtones in her voice, so many feelings, drama. I think in the future it's an amazing Aida.

It’s a pity that I can’t cover all the singers now, and it’s difficult to talk about singers, you need to listen to them!
I really want them to be lucky, and they met people who would help them get to big stage I really want them to have a successful creative career.
I feel like a full-fledged person when there are good and strong singers next to me. I enjoy quality vocals. And this is made up of good nature and the right technique. This environment gives me even more strength and desire to sing.

Why do you sing so little? No desire to return to the theater?
Today, I consider myself a concert singer, my native stage is the stage of the Volgograd Philharmonic, where I worked for about nine years. I worked in the musical theater for about two years, not counting the opera company, in which I worked in parallel, being a soloist of the Philharmonic. As I said, it all depends on the environment: unfortunately, the people who wanted to work with me did not stay in Volgograd.
By the way, only thanks to the director of the Philharmonic Gepfner V.P. I have worked more. If it wasn't for his support, I would have left sooner.
Now I'm pouring into Moscow, and I'm doing what I can. I sing in different concerts, I have already performed in different concert halls: them. P. Tchaikovsky, P. Slobodkin, in the Central State Concert Hall "Russia", the theater "New Opera", on the stage of the Central House of Composers, the House of Arts, the Central House of Artists, etc.
From Volgograd musical theater left after the wonderful director who was invited to the “Beautiful Elena” by J. Offenbach left, and the director Milkov, incomprehensible to me, was invited to take his place. What his name is, I don't remember. By the way, he was soon fired after I left, but now he is working again in the theater. I cannot work with degenerates, degroders and alcoholics.

It's better to be hungry than to eat anything...
The last straw was the “supposedly” operetta “Favorite” by his friend, modern author M. Samoilov. The melody of the part is primitive, written within a little more than an octave, I sobbed when I learned this material, it was terribly uninteresting.
The situation was saved by choreographer D. Tkhorzhevsky, who then also somehow disappeared from the theater. It probably sounds strange that the operetta was saved by the choreographer, who was able to break up the performance in such a way, put all the dots and accents with movements that the vocal part ceased to be the main one, and this saved me, I even fell in love with my heroine. And the performance became bright and lively, and simply aesthetically beautiful. By the way, he openly said that there was no one to work with except Velichka and he worked. Even now, recalling this work, I understand that the composer did not write an operetta, but at least a musical, and there should have been a completely different sound presentation, and indeed opera singer absolutely not necessary to sing what he wrote.
I was mildly shocked that on my last visit to Volgograd, having learned that I had become the president of the competition, that I was engaged in projects, director Milkov asked for help from me! To take the theater on tour. And I found out that it turns out I was his favorite artist. I haven't been hypocrisy in a long time...
I rejoiced! I did the right thing by leaving!

But what about theatrical novels, love relationships?
I did not have lovers who could help me with something. Sex without commitment is not my thing. Either everything or nothing.
I was married twice, but could not put up with what a man could offer me.
I believe that I deserve better. Hope there is more to come.

But it's hard for one...
It depends on what to compare. It would be more difficult for me if I had to endure what I do not want to endure.

So while work?
Yes. Now I am a soloist of the orchestra of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia in Moscow.
As I said, one person is nothing, his life depends on the environment. If there are people who need me as a singer, everything is possible.
In June 2010, I went to a performance at the invitation of the Volgograd television, to the opening of the festival " Eternal flame". If there are more invitations, of course I will come. This is my city and I'm not going to leave it. There, together with Vladislav Povarkov (10 years old), I performed a duet from A.L.'s Requiem. Webber "Pie jesu". A unique boy, right Robertino Loretti. After all, there are talents, and these are the ones I support with my contests.

In Moscow, in addition to performances, I teach. I work with both adults and children. By the way, a few days ago, my “little kids”, who are 9 years old, went through the competition in the musical “The Wolf and the Seven Kids”, this is the highest mark that a teacher can receive.
By September, the third contest "Trip to the Stars" is being prepared. Oh, a lot of work. How to get it all done...

Do you often come to Volgograd, do you miss it, what else do you do?
In Volgograd, I still have my best accompanist Oksana Sachko (although her main job is on television). I bring notes, take advantage of the moment and rehearse with her. I'm probably a bad singer because I can only sing with her. The rest are uncomfortable. Either the sound does not suit me, or the pace is not the same. Either they don’t feel me, or the reading of the work is completely different from mine. And with her, everything is as it should be.
With her, we gave my first solo concert and received my first laureate in the Golden Nightingale competition (2003). And I was extremely pleased that she came to the awarding of the winners of the Independent, and after a long break we opened the concert of the winners with our performance.
While I was doing the rest of the competitions and all sorts of nonsense, Oksanka gave birth to two wonderful girls. Only this can be considered the main thing, everything else is really nonsense. Perhaps we will make another program.
I take advantage of the moment and record in the studio. In Volgograd, in the building of the Philharmonic best studio recordings, singers from all over Russia come and record there, sometimes you even have to wait for your turn ...

By the way, how do you like the results at Eurovision? Do you follow other directions besides classic?
I not only watch, but also live in them too. After all, I teach vocals and pop, and even rock, and in order to teach this, you need to delve into, understand and live with the same problems.
Sometimes it becomes offensive and incomprehensible. As it is now, why exactly this group “Pyotr Nalich” was put up, Russia was the weakest link, it’s a pity.
Perhaps it was already clear in advance that there would be no victory, so they decided to get by with small funds, small expenses. I can understand and accept that it is impossible to win all the time, but you need to at least leave the best possible impression!
And after analyzing this work, we can say that the song, as a material, is weak (not for this competition), the voice setting leaves much to be desired, this is generally a non-competitive option (the concepts of “breathing” and “resonant technique” are underdeveloped, and this is the basis of any vocal! ), in the eyes of emptiness.
Do you remember the look of Alexander Rybak? It had everything: healthy energy, attraction, life, strength, breaking through any obstacles, the desire to win, even some vocal flaws go by the wayside.
There was no directorial decision. What kind of portrait of his beloved girl is 10 centimeters when the number is watched by millions. And why give credit to the fact that he drew it himself, what does this have to do with the competition? Well, let him look at this portrait, lying on the couch.

Who would you send to Eurovision?
It's a difficult question. You have to think, this is a song contest, I would bet on Pelageya. Garik Sukachev has the song "Unbowed Faith" - this is the level! This is the scale! It's worthy of attention!
It would be possible to send Anna Netrebko there if they wrote a worthy song! This is a unique singer! Yes, we have someone to send! And there is a choice! Let me just ask!

About Me
secular bird-
soprano Irina Velichka, laureate of international competitions in Italy, Greece, Russia, soloist of the orchestra of the State Emergencies Ministry of Russia in Moscow, teacher of the Ostankino TV television school, president of the vocal competition, public figure.

President and Chairman of the Jury of the Independent International Competition of Opera Performers (since 2009 Moscow),

President of the International Competition "Trip to the Stars" (since 2008, Moscow),
Personal website of Irina Velichka

Tel.8-909-914-41-85 (Moscow)

The repertoire includes:

Under the piano, arias, romances by Russian and foreign composers,

Under the phonogram minus:

L.Delib "Spanish Bolero"
G. Puccini Lauretta's aria from the opera "Gianni Schicchi"
G. Puccini Musetta's Waltz from the opera "La Boheme"
G. Puccini aria Butterfly from the opera "Cio-Cio-San"
G. Verdi Oscar's song from the opera "Ball in Masquerade"
G.Verdi Table, duet from the opera "La Traviata"
N. Rimsky - Korsakov lullaby Volkhova from the opera "Sadko"
F. Schubert Ave Maria
I. Dunaevsky "Zazdravnaya"
I. Dunaevsky Lunar Waltz (film Circus)
M. Dunayevsky Pepita's song from the operetta "Free Wind"
Lowe "I want to dance" (My Fair Lady)
Kern "Smoke"
J. Gershwin lullaby of Clara, Porgy and Bess
Albinoni Adagio
Andrew Loyd Webber Pie jesu, Requiem
I. Kalman exit aria of Maritsa (Maritsa),
I. Kalman Silva's aria (Silva),
Echo of love (song from the repertoire of Anna German)
N. Yuryev Why love, why suffer ...
M.Blanter Katyusha
Sasha, do you remember... (from the repertoire of I. Yurieva)
RNP Volga River
RNP Grass-ant arr. Krasnoglyadova
Chinese Song I Love China (in Chinese)
Time to say good buy
Canto della terra, etc.

She began her professional concert activity in 1992.

Graduated with honors from the State Conservatory. L.Sobinova, Saratov (1998).

Laureate of All-Russian and International competitions:

2003 - I degree diploma for All-Russian competition"Golden Nightingale"
2004 - awarded with a laureate diploma at the International Competition in Italy (2nd place)
2005 - silver medal and the title of laureate at the International Competition in Greece (2nd place)
2006 - laureate of the competition "Provincial Muse" (Volgograd)
2007 - laureate International Festival"Autumn in Tushino" (Moscow)
2010 - laureate of the Moscow IV festival "I'm the same as you" (MosgorDuma)

Participated in concerts for members of the government of Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus.

In 2005, she sang personally for the President of Kazakhstan N. Nazarbayev.

In 2006 she took part in the concert dedicated to the inauguration of A. Lukashenko (Minsk).

During her concert activity, she sang on the stages of Moscow:

TsGKZ "Russia", GKZ im. Pyotr Tchaikovsky, KZ of the Pavel Slobodkin Center, BZ of the Moscow Mayor's Office, E. Kolobov Theater New Opera, MAMT im. K. Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko, G. Vishnevskaya Center for Opera Singing, the Central House of Composers, the Opera House (Tsaritsyno), the Catherine Palace, the Moscow Regional House of Arts "Kuzminki", the Central House of Artists, the Central House of Art Workers, Crocus Expo ;
Art Libraries. P.A. Bogolyubov, House-Museum of Marina Tsvetaeva
BZ "Napoleon, Concert Hall"Metelitsa", "Gostinny Dvor", and the Jewelry House "Estet", etc.

In 2001-2002 she worked in China (Shen-Zhen, Guang-Dong, Guan-Jou, Chateau-Jao).

Since 1998 she has been working at the Musical Theatre, where she performed the first roles in performances: “ Beautiful Elena»J.Offenbach, Helena’s part, Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro, (Countess), G.Verdi’s La Traviata (Violetta), M. Samoilov’s Favorite (Daria), « royal bride» N. Rimsky-Korsakov (Marfa).

She took part in master classes (advanced training) held: in Athens-2005, Moscow-2007.

Awarded:

Minister of EMERCOM of Russia Puchkov V.A. medal "For promotion of rescue work" 2014, etc.

Numerous interviews since 1998 on TV, radio, in the press.

She is a frequent guest at various social events.

Ms. Velichka has numerous publications in the press, is a guest on TV: "Channel One" (Let them talk, Male and female, Time to cook, etc.), "Russia" (With Good morning), "Moscow-Doverie", "Capital", "Capital +", "Enlightenment", "TNT", TV "Podmoskovye", district TV (TsAO, SVAO, SAO), etc., radio.

Before 50 000 rubles

Performance of one work - from 18,000 rubles.
Two exits of 2 works - 36,000 rubles.
New Year - by appointment.

Description

Laureate of international competitions of opera performers in Italy, Greece, Russia.
Vocal teacher (classical, pop, rock). Ms. Irina Velichka in 2009 was appointed president, chairman of the jury of the independent international competition of opera performers (Moscow).
From 2009 to the present, she is also an artist-vocalist (soloist) of the orchestra of the State Emergencies Ministry of Russia (Moscow).
Since 2008, he has been the President of the International Vocal Competition "Trip to the Stars".
Ms. Velichka repeatedly participated in concerts for members of the government of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan. In 2006 she took part in a concert dedicated to the inauguration of the President of the Republic of Belarus A. Lukashenko; in 2005 she sang personally for the President of Kazakhstan N. Nazarbayev.
For services to the Fatherland she was awarded a commemorative medal, encyclopedia " The best people Russia”, VI issue 2006, (Moscow); biographical essays are posted about her with recognition of her services to the Fatherland in the Golden Book of the Volgograd Region (2006) and the encyclopedia Who is Who (Volgograd, 2009).
Also, repeatedly, she was awarded by the Governor of the Volgograd region Maksyuta N.K., deputies of the Moscow State Duma, directors and other numerous letters and letters for active participation in cultural life. He is a member of the United Russia party.
Ms. Velichka has numerous press publications and is a frequent guest on TV and radio. During the concert activity she sang on the main stages of Moscow in the Central Concert Hall "Russia", concert halls: them. P. Tchaikovsky, P. Slobodkin, the theater "New Opera", the Center for Opera Singing. G. Vishnevskaya, the Central House of Art Workers, the Central House of Artists, the Central House of Composers, museums: S. Rachmaninov, P. Bogolyubov, etc.

Repertoire

- Under the phonogram minus:
L. Delibes "Spanish Bolero"

G. Puccini Aria Butterfly from the opera "Cio-Cio-San"
N. Rimsky-Korsakov Volkhov's Lullaby from the opera "Sadko"
F. Schubert Ave Maria
I. Dunayevsky "Zazdravnaya"
I. Dunaevsky "Moon Waltz"
G. Verdi Dinner (duet from La Traviata)
Lowe "I want to dance" (My Fair Lady)
Kern "Smoke"
J. Gershwin lullaby of Clara, Porgy and Bess
Albinoni Adagio
Andrew Loyd Webber Pie jesu, Requiem
I. Kalman exit aria of Maritsa (Maritsa)
I. Kalman exit aria of Silva (Silva)
Echo of love (song from the repertoire of Anna German)
Tenderness (from the repertoire of M. Kristalinskaya)
N. Yuryev Why love, why suffer ...
Blanter Katyusha
RNP Volga River
RNP Grass-ant arr. Krasnoglyadova
Chinese song (in Chinese)
Time to say goodbye foreign stage)
And others

To the piano: arias, romances by Russian and foreign composers
- Under the phonogram minus:
L. Delibes "Spanish Bolero"
G. Puccini Lauretta's Aria from the opera "Gianni Schicchi"
Giuseppini Musetta's Waltz from the opera "La Boheme"
G. Puccini Aria Butterfly from the opera...

Program duration

from 10 minutes before 30 minutes

Compound

solo artist

Events

concert, anniversary, birthday, party, wedding

Photo: Yaroslava Snezhina Makeup artist: Anastasia Danilova Dress: To be bride

Interview of our correspondent with opera prima with a big heart - Irina Velichka.

– Irina, you are a laureate of many prestigious All-Russian and International competitions. And today you do not need a special introduction. Tell us about your story of "ascent to Olympus"?

My ascent continues, given that Anna Netrebko-Russian soprano, the Italian prima donna Cecilia Bartoli, the Finnish lyric soprano Tarja Turunen, who became famous not for performing pure classics, but is very interesting singer. And, of course, for me on Olympus remains Alla Pugacheva. I consider myself a professional singer who does what she can.

Yes, I had to make a lot of efforts to somehow take place in the profession, because everything is much more difficult than it might seem. If there is no dynasty, everything is difficult, but, as they say, it is possible.

Vocal competitions are very milestone for the vocalist. In our region, the voice is not an indicator of professionalism, in our country, like everyone else, “without a piece of paper you are nobody, but with a piece of paper you are a person.” But this is not a guarantee that you will not be fired in the forefront, so as not to annoy! It is very difficult, almost impossible, to get and prove your professionalism in the Russian vocal competition, if you do not have support among the jury members, so I tried to go abroad and turned out to be right. There, the jury is more loyal and does not look at who and where your teacher is, they evaluate the contestants at the time when the competition is taking place. In Greece, when I was at the competition, for example, top places they didn’t give it to the Greeks at all, then all the places were taken by singers from Russia. In Italy, they didn’t give the first place to anyone and also didn’t support the Italian, even for the sake of decency, and the prizes were taken from Russia by me and a singer from China. This was the impetus for the creation of my author's vocal competitions. In them, the jury members do not have the right to exhibit their students, and the participants do not know the names of the jury members before the start of the tour.

– I know that as a child you dreamed of becoming a doctor. Have you ever regretted choosing a creative path for self-development?

No never. I'm too sensitive and faint at the sight of blood. In addition, now medicine is a business, and I do not agree with such arrangements. The responsibility of a singer and a doctor is incommensurable. You can be a bad singer, but being a bad doctor is simply unacceptable. I would not be afraid to say that in our time, artists have more conscience than some people who are doctors.

In my life I often encountered the unprofessionalism of doctors, and that is why, when the time came for me to give birth, I could not let everything go by itself, but asked for help to get to the best maternity hospital from the deputy Evgenia Gerasimova. Yes, he helped. As a deputy, he always helps, never uses the fact that he has the right to answer letters within a month, he immediately solves the problem. I ended up in the very professional hands of Oleg Alexandrovich Latyshkevich, head physician of the TsPRiS. I was happy that everything went well. There, in general, everything is built in such a way that at every stage a woman is dealt with by professionals and everything goes under strict control. But here again I was lucky, because on the third day after the birth S.S. Sobyanin came. So my son and I received congratulations from the Mayor himself!

To become a good doctor, you need to be aware of all the responsibility, be a super professional and love your profession to the point of mania. The doctor must understand that he will always work with people who have come for help because they are in pain. You need to be able to be compassionate, be very patient and not complain that people are crying in pain and not expect that your patient will give you a great mood.

Now medicine has generally become more aggressive, has lost the trust that it had in Soviet times. People began to read more, became more interested in themselves and began to see inconsistencies in treatment. If you don't have money, it's better not to get sick. To find a good doctor, you need to try and while there are still such professionals, you look for it if necessary. There are fewer and fewer doctors who do not succumb to this machine called "lobby" ...

- Now we can confidently say that you have conquered the capital. For many young talents, Moscow is still a kind of ultimate dream. Share the secret of how to make the adamant capital become favorable to you?

I did not conquer Moscow. I've always been afraid of her. Once, a hundred years ago, I sang in the same concert with Alexandra Strelchenko, and she, after listening to me, said: “You deserve to work in Moscow!” I was lucky, they helped me move to Moscow, and I just started doing what I love.

I felt very clearly that the life of the child depends on the life of the parents. As your parents worked, so you will work ... My father is a military man, a reserve colonel of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. And I was completely delighted when we came with him from Volgograd to Moscow. He was so well received here, everyone was glad to see him, everyone was always invited to talk and offered any help. I then watched this from the outside and understood, what if my father lived his life somehow differently, suddenly he didn’t have so many people who would like to help ... Then it’s generally unknown how our lives with my sister would have turned out. All this just led me to the fact that the connection exists insane.

That is why I react very painfully when I see that now the state does not rely on the family, but on new laws that do not help the family. The authority of parents descends to insanity, and parents are exposed as beasts who only infringe on the rights of their child. We are being imposed a new stereotype of parents who do not know how to heal and teach. And we don't really need them. I really want common sense to prevail, and parental authority and family to be a priority.

I am very grateful to the structure of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, which helped me. I was able to take place also thanks to this support. And I thank God that in my life I met a person who helped me, and my life changed, of course, in better side! I just wish that everyone met their "Hope" in life, and she never died. If I had not been helped, I would never have taken a step to conquer because of fear, because of insecurity. Therefore, somewhere I envy the young people who go ahead, and prove, and conquer. They are doing the right thing, water does not flow under a lying stone.

- Your speech for the President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, was discussed a lot in the press. Tell me, for you personally, what kind of experience was it? And how did it affect your career?

In my life, probably the only moment after which everything started to spin, and my life began to change, was an audition for an event at Igor Ugolnikov when he acted as a producer and took me to a concert. For an artist-singer, this is a very big help, support and at the same time promotion. When you are invited to sing for such people, this is not the beginning of a career, but at least a continuation.

I believe that our life and destiny depend on the environment that is next to us. It is a great honor for me to sing to people of this level, but no less responsibility. I remember that there were many preparations, lights out, and again expectations. When everyone arrived and us in Once again turned back, we waited again. When the concert finally took place, we were not allowed to take pictures or anything, to carry with us. Everything took place in a beautiful tent, the President received two guests. Yes, we were searched, and guards with weapons were everywhere. When I was announced, a man with a machine gun accompanied me all the way to the exit to the President, but this gave me more peace of mind and was a reminder of the level of the event. Nazarbayev is a man with insanely strong energy and a piercing gaze. He spoke very friendly, greeted me, thanked me for coming and after I sang, asked me to sing something else.

I sang at the inauguration of Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk and sing for members of the government. It remains only to sing for our President, and life is good!

- Your work in the Musical Theater is very interesting, where you had the opportunity to perform many parts. Do you plan to further develop in this area? Perhaps there are already some cooperation agreements with other theaters?

No, I don't think I'll ever return to the theatre. I don't have very good memories of the theatre. I didn't meet people of my wave there. There were people who were strangers to me, and I was a stranger to them. No, there, of course, there were bright spots in my biography. I was lucky with the first director who was invited from Moldova to stage the operetta “La Belle Elena” by J. Offenbach Yan Sonin, main party in which I performed. I played with brilliant artists: Gennady Shatovsky, with people's artist RF V. Vzhesinsky, Gennady Slavinsky, Eldar Magradze. For me, personal costumes were even sewn for performances, and believe me, this is a lot for the theater. I remember with great gratitude the choreographer Dmitry Tkhorzhevsky, who staged dances in the play "Favorite" by M. Samoilov, thanks to which I fell in love with this performance, although before that I just sobbed. She sobbed from the musical material, sobbed from the mediocre production of the alcoholic director. I annoyed him very much, he openly said: “What are you doing here?! No one wants your voice here." Because of the same director Milkov, I left. I saw no point in waiting until he was fired and hoping for a change. Who was more impudent and older, could send him openly. But I was young and a beginner, I couldn't. Then many left, including myself. I only want to associate with geniuses...and that's my problem!

I believe that in Volgograd I was able to take place as a singer only because I was accepted into the Regional Philharmonic. Here are the best impressions from her. They were lucky with the leadership, directors Gepfner Viktor Petrovich, I did not annoy with my voice and desire to work. All singers with voices worked there, they sang professional repertoire.

It so happened that at that time the strongest voices were gathered at the Philharmonic, and there, indeed, few of them worked part-time in the musical theater, I was more comfortable there, and I felt at ease.

And I simply cannot but mention the colossal support of Volgograd journalists and television people. I was the most shown singer on Volgograd TV. I even shot a video for the song "Time to say goodbye", directed by Alexei Basov.

- Irina, you have performed for both Russian and foreign audiences. Tell me honestly, which audience accepts you warmer and more enthusiastically? Where do you feel the most impact?

Abroad, they do not skimp on emotions, they generally accept everything with enthusiasm and it is easier to receive compliments than in Russia. It is more difficult to conquer the Russian public, it takes more time. But I like to perform in front of my audience more. Maybe because I feel too Russian. I feel that this is my home, that everything is mine here. That is why I am also an active citizen and a very caring person. Somehow I strongly feel people, I feel when it's hard, when it's joyful. I so want our people, who have gone through so much, to live easier. I believe that people deserve to live well, calmly and stably.

– You are a soloist of the orchestra of the Main Directorate of the EMERCOM of Russia for the city of Moscow. A few words about this direction of your activity.

I have already said that the structure of the Ministry of Emergency Situations has done a lot for me. On this moment The Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia for the city of Moscow has been greatly reduced. It is not known what will remain of the structure at all ... Musicians are fired first of all. It is very painful to watch how they break, reduce the already remaining structure ... The military, rescuers, these are not doctors, they cannot go to a rally and defend their rights. When a serviceman is laid off, it is a blow to both the family and the children. Salaries have been cut, benefits have been removed, doing business when you are a soldier is also impossible and it turns out, prices are rising, everything becomes paid and ... This year, even children on New Year There were no gifts, and not everyone had Christmas trees, since the Minister gave the musicians a prize. And the people in the Ministry of Emergency Situations are such that you need to hold on to such people. You see, the rescuers are not performing “services” yet, their psychology is different! In case of danger, they don’t think about themselves at all, they go to rescue and there are no other priorities at that moment ... In Soviet time being the wife of a military man was prestigious. We felt the support of the state. Children could easily go to kindergartens and schools that were convenient for parents. I myself changed six schools. When we lived in Magadan, my father received good rations, it was all part of social security, it was good support from the state, and there was a lot of things. Therefore, they gave birth calmly and knew that they could raise children. Now there is practically nothing left of state support. I think it's wrong somehow...

- Many successful individuals today are engaged in activities completely unrelated to their careers: some charity, others politics. Do you have similar hobbies?

I wouldn't say it's a hobby. Yes, I am also quite indifferent, active and doing charity work in various forms. I am very touched by the problems of children. It seems to me that in the event of a child’s illness, it’s even somehow ashamed that the parents themselves are looking for help, turning to foundations and other organizations. That is, the system “Help of the drowning man, the work of the drowning man himself” is frankly working for us. While the child is healthy, they try to impose on us the opinion that parents are worthless, as soon as the child needs help, then " Dear Parents your children are your problems! It surprises me when doctors throw ads on the Internet “There is a quota, does anyone need it,” but what, they don’t have lists of who needs it?

Artists always support and perform for charity to raise money for those in need of treatment. I am a member of the Board of Trustees public organization“The municipal shield of Moscow”, by the way, it was once noted by the Commissioner for Children's Rights in the report of the President of the Russian Federation. I am directly involved in the activities of the organization. She worked in such projects as “Products to Help Mom”, “Knowledge Day in Novorossia”, “Healthy Children - Healthy Nation”. There was a good promotion Pavel Astakhov"Don't Park the Child" with the assistance of this organization, in which we took part with our son. I really want to believe that the new Commissioner for Children's Rights Anna Kuznetsova will not give up his convictions and will really defend the rights of the family and the authority of parents. And we, the artists, are always ready to support and help, if necessary.

– Everyone knows you as a talented opera singer, but few people know your personal story. Tell us a little about your family, about the values ​​that are a priority for you.

A personal story, that's why it is called personal, so that few people know about it. I'm married. My husband is a military man, lieutenant colonel of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. Son Leo, who will soon be 4 years old. We love him madly and, probably, spoil him a lot. Very sociable and loves attention. He can show the sketch "The mouse could not stand it and died", which his aunt-artist Vera taught him. He is already getting what he wants. He is a leader and I want him to remain one. Let them know how to take responsibility and do things. He is a man, he will have to do this all his life. I do not allow anyone to scold and punish him. This is my son and only I can do this. Only parents can punish their child if they see fit. Yes, I believe that parents are simply obliged to punish for disobedience, for some kind of pranks. Man, this is a creature that should be afraid of at least something in this life. Yes, you need to be afraid and respect your parents, you need to know what sin is and understand that there will be retribution for it, you need to be afraid of God, you need to be afraid of punishment. If a person is not afraid of anything, then we will return to the past, far and for a long time. I really want him to grow up as a decent person, so that he does not lie, does not betray his parents. To choose a profession for himself by vocation, and not by necessity.

If you want to make God laugh, tell us about your plans...

Maria Tokanova

Photo from personal archive

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The cultural community of our city started talking about the soloist regional philharmonic society Irina Velichko last summer. A stunning success at an international competition in Greece, where Irina was awarded a silver medal, a tete-a-tete performance in the tent of the President of Kazakhstan Narsultan Nazarbayev, another master class in Greece. According to Irina, she still has not yet departed from the crazy competitive race. At the same time, the initiative to participate in festivals came entirely from the singer herself. As the famous Volgograd woman said, no one in the province will forcefully push to success, the artist's fame depends only on his determination.

From the early childhood Irina went against her parents and teachers. Parents were categorically against her studies at the vocal department of Serebryakovka, they wanted to see their daughter as a doctor or teacher. However, the dream turned out to be stronger - the girl secretly passed the exams from everyone and only then told her parents. In those years, the lucky ones enrolled in Serebryakovka were announced at a general meeting in a solemn atmosphere. Discouraged parents who came to support Ira waited with bated breath for the announcement of the list. Only 9 people from the applicants had to turn into students of the vocal department. Irina was declared 7th or 8th in a row.

It was terrible - to listen to the names of others and count: first, second, third, - recalls the current celebrity. - I so dreamed of becoming a singer, but in our family there were never any artists, artists, or others creative professions. I didn’t even have anyone from my relatives to consult where to go, where which institution is located. All decisions had to be made independently. In the 9th grade, I read an advertisement in the newspaper of an artistic director inviting bright performers to audition. The audition was successful, and I got into the Volgograd pop group under the direction of Alexander Volchenko. Of course, I studied music at the expense of other school subjects.

But in "Serebryakovka" Irina's obedience did not last long - for a year. Then she also secretly, but already in defiance of the teachers, went to the Maestro creative laboratory so that she could perform on stage and tour. And secretly because the students of "Serebryakovka" were not allowed to sing ahead of time, until the voice apparatus got stronger. For some time, Ira managed to hide everything, but one day the tour coincided with the session, and involuntarily she had to open herself at the department. And no one, except for the first teacher Irina Popova, supported the masterful sophomore. The girl, out of resentment, even almost left the school, but she came to her senses in time and came up with something better - to finish it as an external student. They don't understand - and don't, there are other alma maters, such as the Saratov Conservatory. Irina easily entered there, easily graduated with honors.

After the conservatory, the graduate returned to hometown and was accepted into the musical theater troupe. Her first roles were the party of Helen in the play "Beautiful Helena" by J. Offenbach, the party of the Countess in "The Marriage of Figaro" by W. Mozart, Violetta from "La Traviata" by G. Verdi. After the change of artistic director, Irina ended up in the opera company, and soon in the regional philharmonic society as a soloist, combining performances with teaching at the department of vocal and choral performance at the Pedagogical University. But her searching nature wasn't going to stop there.

It is simply impossible to live on the salary of an artist. - Irina explained her desire to search. - My life developed in such a way that all the time I was financially dependent on my parents. So I decided that something needs to be done urgently. I opened the Internet and began to look through posters of competitions.

Her attention was drawn international competition in Italy "Premio Ars Novo", held in November 2003, and a competition in Greece. New conditions, new rivals and the situation not only did not frighten Irina, but added confidence.

I specifically wanted to take part in competitions abroad, they are more democratic than ours. In Italy, for example, we even signed that we have no relationship with the jury members. In Russia, on the contrary, the jury always tries to bring their students to the competition. My teachers were not known abroad, they did not care where I studied, they treated me simply as a singer from Russia.

The Greek performance of Irina, who performed Mozart's Hallelujah, Elena's bolero from Verdi's Sicilian Vespers, Bach's aria for soprano from Magnificat and Bellini's aria Puritani, was rated by the jury silver medal. And a few weeks later, as a winner, she again ended up in Athens to participate in concerts and a master class.

There is some special atmosphere in Greece, - the singer recalls her homeland with nostalgia Olympic Games. - If I decided to go abroad, I would choose Greece.

Upon returning home, Irina was waiting for another surprise, in the regional philharmonic society was replaced artistic director, which means, again, a change in the repertoire and the usual way. So far, it has not been possible to settle everything to the end organizational issues. Creative downtime for the ever-seeking Irina nature was unacceptable. Speaking in January of this year main stage Russia, at the Central Concert Hall, in a duet with the master from " new opera”, she focused all her energy on recording a CD of romances and arias for television. The disc will be ready soon.

The voice is what distinguishes me from the crowd, - Irina emphasized. I have always responded to strong voices. In an unfamiliar company, I always hear the voice first, and then I notice the appearance of the interlocutor. By the way, vocalists are people who are doomed to lifelong learning. To do this, they only need a sensitive mentor, listening from the outside, because it is impossible to hear all the nuances of your singing yourself. And I can proudly say that this person is right next to me. While I would not like to name his name, but I am sure that together with him we will take more than one height.