Veronika Dzhioeva: a short biography of an opera diva. Veronika Dzhioeva: biography of the Russian world opera star Parents of the opera diva Veronika Dzhioeva

She sang the part of Fiordiligi in the opera This is how everyone does it at the Moscow International House of Music (2006), the soprano part in Verdi's Requiem and Mahler's Second Symphony (Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, 2007).
In 2006 she sang the soprano part in Mozart's Grand Mass (conductor Yuri Bashmet, BZK). In the same year, she sang the part of Princess Urusova at the premiere of Rodion Shchedrin's opera Boyarynya Morozova (BZK). IN next year participated in the performance of this opera in Italy.
In 2007 she performed the part of Zemfira in the BZK (Russian National Orchestra, conductor Mikhail Pletnev) and in San Sebastian (Spain).
In 2007 and 2009 took part in the performance of Boris Tishchenko's "Run of Time" at the St. Petersburg Philharmonic.
In 2008 she performed the part of Mimi in the BZK and took part in the performance of Verdi's Requiem in St. Petersburg.
In 2009 she sang the title role in the opera Tais in Estonia and the role of Mikaela in G. Bizet's Carmen in Seoul.
In 2010 she performed "Four latest songs» R. Strauss at the Novosibirsk Philharmonic (conductor Alim Shakhmametyev).

On the stage Mariinsky Theater sang the roles of Mikaela, Violetta, Elizaveta and Zemfira.

She is a guest soloist with the Grand Théâtre de Geneva, the Théâtre La Monnaie in Brussels, the Prague Opera, the Finnish national opera. Performs at the Opera House in Bari, the Teatro Comunale in Bologna, the Teatro Massimo in Palermo (Italy), the Teatro Real (Madrid), the Hamburg State Opera.

Collaborates with outstanding musicians, among them: Maris Jansons, Valery Gergiev, Trevor Pinnock, Vladimir Fedoseev, Yuri Bashmet, Hartmut Henchen, Simona Young, Vladimir Spivakov and many others.

In 2010 she sang the title role in Donizetti's Mary Stuart at the Teatro Massimo (Palermo).
In 2011 she sang the part of Tatiana in concert performances of the opera Eugene Onegin in Munich and Lucerne (Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, conductor Mariss Jansons).
In 2012 she performed the part of Yaroslavna (Prince Igor by A. Borodin) at the Hamburg State Opera. In the same year she sang the title roles in the operas Iolanthe by P. Tchaikovsky and Sister Angelica by G. Puccini at the Teatro Real (Madrid).
In 2013, the singer sang the part of Violetta (La Traviata by G. Verdi) at the Hamburg State Opera and made her debut at the Houston Opera as Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni by W. A. ​​Mozart).
In the same year she took part in the performance of Verdi's Requiem in the Paris concert hall Pleyel ( National Orchestra Lille, conductor Jean-Claude Casadesus).

Participated in the festival many times contemporary art"Territory" in Moscow.
She has given concerts in Great Britain, Spain, Italy, France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Sweden, Estonia, Lithuania, Japan, China, South Korea and USA.

She recorded the album "Opera arias" (conductor - Alim Shakhmametiev).

The voice of Veronika Dzhioeva sounds in the television films "Monte Cristo", "Vasilyevsky Island", etc.
The television film "Winter Wave Solo" (directed by Pavel Golovkin, 2010) is dedicated to the singer's work.

In 2011, Veronika Dzhioeva won the TV competition "Big Opera" on the TV channel "Culture".

, South Ossetian Autonomous Okrug, USSR

Veronika Romanovna Dzhioeva(Oset. Jiota Romana chyzg Veronica , January 29, Tskhinvali, South Ossetian Autonomous Okrug, USSR) - Russian Opera singer(soprano). People's Artist Republic of North Ossetia-Alania (). People's Artist of South Ossetia ().

Biography

parties

IN Bolshoi Theater :

• Mimi (La Boheme by G. Puccini)
• Donna Elvira (Don Juan by W. A. ​​Mozart)
• Gorislav (Ruslan and Lyudmila by M. Glinka)
• Liu (Turandot by G. Puccini)
• Elizabeth ("Don Carlos" G. Verdi)

In other theaters:

• Leonora (Force of Destiny by G. Verdi)
• Musetta (La Boheme by G. Puccini)
• Fiordiligi (“Everybody Do It” by W. A. ​​Mozart)
• The Countess (The Marriage of Figaro by W. A. ​​Mozart)
• Urusova (Boyar Morozova by R. Shchedrin)
• Zemfira (Aleko by S. Rachmaninov)
• Tatyana (Eugene Onegin by P. Tchaikovsky)
• Violetta (La Traviata by G. Verdi)
• Michaela (Carmen by G. Bizet)
• Elizabeth (Don Carlos by G. Verdi)
• Lady Macbeth (Macbeth by G. Verdi)
• Thais (Thais by J. Massenet)
• Martha (" royal bride"N. Rimsky-Korsakov)

She sang soprano parts in Verdi and Mozart's Requiems, Mahler's Second Symphony, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Mozart's Grand Mass, Rachmaninov's poem The Bells.

Family

Awards

• People's Artist of North Ossetia-Alania (2014)
• Honored Artist of North Ossetia-Alania (2009)
• Honored Artist of South Ossetia
• Diploma of the Golden Mask festival (2008)
• Winner of the competition "Big Opera"

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An excerpt characterizing Dzhioeva, Veronika Romanovna

- Whose company? - Prince Bagration asked the fireworks, standing by the boxes.
He asked: whose company? but in essence he was asking: are you not timid here? And the fireworker figured it out.
“Captain Tushin, Your Excellency,” shouted a red-haired fireworker with a freckled face, stretching out in a cheerful voice.
- So, so, - said Bagration, thinking something, and drove past the limbers to the extreme gun.
While he was driving up, a shot rang out from this cannon, deafening him and his retinue, and in the smoke that suddenly surrounded the cannon, artillerymen were visible, grabbing the cannon and, hastily straining, rolling it back to its original place. A broad-shouldered, huge soldier of the 1st with a banner, legs wide apart, jumped back to the wheel. The 2nd, with a trembling hand, put a charge into the muzzle. A small, round-shouldered man, officer Tushin, stumbled on his trunk and ran forward without noticing the general and looking out from under his small hand.
“Add two more lines, that’s exactly what will happen,” he shouted in a thin voice, to which he tried to give a youthfulness that did not suit his figure. - Second! he squeaked. - Crush, Medvedev!
Bagration called out to the officer, and Tushin, with a timid and awkward movement, not at all like the military salute, but like the priests bless, putting three fingers to the visor, approached the general. Although Tushin's guns were assigned to bombard the hollow, he fired fire-brandskugels at the village of Shengraben, which was visible ahead, in front of which large masses of the French advanced.
No one ordered Tushin where and with what to shoot, and he, after consulting with his sergeant major Zakharchenko, for whom he had great respect, decided that it would be good to set fire to the village. "Fine!" Bagration said to the report of the officer and began to look around the entire battlefield that opened before him, as if thinking something. On the right side, the French came closest. Below the height on which the Kiev regiment stood, in the hollow of the river, the erratic rumble of guns was heard, and much to the right, behind the dragoons, the retinue officer pointed out to the prince at the French column that was bypassing our flank. To the left the horizon was limited to a close forest. Prince Bagration ordered two battalions from the center to go for reinforcements to the right. The retinue officer dared to remark to the prince that after the departure of these battalions, the guns would be left without cover. Prince Bagration turned to the retinue officer and looked at him with dull eyes in silence. It seemed to Prince Andrei that the remark of the retinue officer was just and that there really was nothing to say. But at this time an adjutant galloped up from the regimental commander, who was in the hollow, with the news that huge masses of the French were coming down, that the regiment was upset and was retreating to the Kyiv grenadiers. Prince Bagration bowed his head in agreement and approval. He walked at a pace to the right and sent an adjutant to the dragoons with orders to attack the French. But the adjutant sent there arrived half an hour later with the news that the dragoon regimental commander had already retreated beyond the ravine, for strong fire had been directed against him, and he was wasting people in vain and therefore hurried shooters into the forest.
- Fine! Bagration said.
While he was driving away from the battery, shots were also heard to the left in the forest, and since it was too far to the left flank to have time to arrive on time himself, Prince Bagration sent Zherkov there to tell the senior general, the same one who represented the regiment to Kutuzov in Braunau, so that he retreats as quickly as possible behind the ravine, because the right flank will probably not be able to hold the enemy for a long time. About Tushin, and the battalion that covered him, was forgotten. Prince Andrei carefully listened to the conversations of Prince Bagration with the chiefs and to the orders he gave, and noticed to his surprise that no orders were given, and that Prince Bagration only tried to pretend that everything that was done out of necessity, chance and the will of private chiefs, that all this was done, if not by his order, but according to his intentions. Thanks to the tact shown by Prince Bagration, Prince Andrei noticed that, despite this randomness of events and their independence from the will of the chief, his presence did an extremely great deal. The commanders, who drove up to Prince Bagration with upset faces, became calm, the soldiers and officers greeted him cheerfully and became livelier in his presence and, apparently, flaunted their courage in front of him.

She is called a "singer from God", "opera diva", "divine soprano"... Her talent conquers, the culture of singing delights, and her ability to work never ceases to amaze.

Conversation with world opera star Veronika Dzhioeva turned out different. She recalled her childhood with a smile. She spoke with pain about the terrible days that little South Ossetia, where she was born, had to endure. And with sadness she talked about modern opera, without which she cannot imagine life. Every word she uttered was filled with emotions that came from the heart. It is not surprising that the world opera scene loves Veronika Dzhioeva so much.

"Dad guessed exactly what I needed..."

― Veronica, were you brought up in strictness as a child?

- Yes. Dad was quite strict.

― Which of his prohibitions are you still afraid to disobey?

― (laughs). Good question. My sister and I were often sick, so dad forbade us to eat ice cream. And Inga and I were biting icicles. One day dad saw us and succumbed well. And since then I have been afraid of ice cream for a long time, and in general, cold, although, on the contrary, it was necessary to harden the throat - we only work with the throat, and any cold instantly affects the voice. I was afraid of the cold for a long time, and then I realized that I was only making it worse for myself. I began to harden and now I'm not afraid of any cold water, no ice cream, no ice. True, I immediately get sick after cold fruits, so they are excluded from my menu.

― Is it true that dad saw you as a gynecologist?

― (laughs). Yes, but he doesn't remember. And when I tell him about it, he is very surprised.

―Luckily, he changed his mind in time. As a result, the decision to make music belonged to whom - you or him?

- Dad. He really wanted me to become a serious opera singer. And he guessed exactly what I needed.

Little Veronica in the arms of her father - Roman Dzhioev, Honored Master of Sports of the USSR

― Why is your dad, himself possessing beautiful voice, did not become a professional singer?

- Dad really had a very good voice. Tenor. And many said that he needed to opera stage. He still plays the piano well today, even better on the guitar. In general, we have a musical family: dad has an amazing voice, sister Inga also has excellent vocal abilities.

Dad says that during his youth in Ossetia and in the Caucasus in general, singing seriously was not considered a male occupation. Business for a real man is a sport or business. Therefore, dad devoted himself to sports - he became a weightlifter, won prestigious competitions. Then he became a coach.

―And now?

“Now everything is different. Today it is prestigious. After all, look, the most important theaters in the country are directed by Ossetian conductors: in the Bolshoi - Tugan Sokhiev, and in the Mariinsky - Valery Gergiev. This is something to be proud of. Ossetians are insanely talented, they have beautiful voices and they are distinguished by their strong timbre.

―IN Lately Ossetians generally occupy more and more places on the classical stage. What do you think caused this burst of musical activity?

- Probably, the Ossetians themselves just felt freer, believed in their strength thanks to Valery Gergiev. I think this is the influence of his image, it is not without reason that he is called the most famous Ossetian in the world. And in the St. Petersburg Conservatory, where I studied, everyone dreamed of getting into the Mariinsky Theater and singing with Valery Abisalovich.

"Pain in Tskhinvali is still felt everywhere..."

―You were born in Tskhinvali. Are you more accustomed to calling it that or Tskhinvali?

- Tskhinvali. "Tskhinvali" sounds like something in Georgian.

―The city of your childhood - how do you remember it?

- With a fountain in the square. Colorful. Bright. But Tskhinvali is no longer the city of my childhood, unfortunately. Men in Black. Everyone is sitting. 30 year olds look like 40 year olds. The war left a strong imprint.

―Are there, perhaps, places associated with your childhood that you visit first of all when you are in your homeland?

- Probably, this is the famous school No. 5, whose sports ground in 1991 during the Georgian-Ossetian conflict became the last refuge for teachers and students. All our heroes are buried there. I studied in it. The school is right behind our house, and the cemetery is visible from my bedroom window.

―What feelings do you experience when looking at it?

- Great sadness. And, of course, there is always pain. It is still felt everywhere in Tskhinval.

―I was amazed that your family experienced the horrors of war twice.

- Yes, both in the early 90s and in 2008. I remember how we hid in the basement during the shelling. Shells flew into our house, bullets ricocheted, so we had to live in the basement. Then, in August 2008, my son, sister Inga, and her children experienced this horror. Alim and I then just left for a week to rest in Africa. And suddenly on the 8th of August this! I almost lost my mind at that moment. On TV, I saw the destroyed house of my sister. And I was shocked by the words of the presenter: "At night, Georgian troops attacked South Ossetia ...". I started calling my relatives - both at home and on mobile. The answer is silence. I cut off my phone for three days. You can’t get through to your relatives, you can’t fly home quickly - it’s impossible to convey this nightmare ... Only on the fourth day I managed to find out that everything was in order with my relatives, I talked with my son. He said: "Mom, we are all alive!" And then he cried:

Mom, I saw how my dead classmates were carried out of their houses.

It's very scary. I don't wish this on anyone.

―Why didn't you leave your troubled homeland after the first armed conflict?

- Nobody expected that there would be a second war. Yes, and Ossetians are such a people - they don’t like to leave with native land. To be honest, I never had the opportunity to help before. But as soon as they appeared, we immediately offered Inge to move to Germany. But she refused. Now she often visits North Ossetia - it is quiet and peaceful there. I have real estate in Vladikavkaz. It remains to be hoped that such a horror will not happen again.

―Years later, you figured out for yourself who was right and wrong in the horror of 2008?

- I don’t really like to talk about politics, because I am a person of art. I can only say that in 2008 Russian troops saved us. If it weren't for Russia, we wouldn't exist.

"I want to have a choice in everything - with whom to sing, where to perform, how many times to go on stage. I love fame, I love attention, I love being recognized and loved."

―Say you don't like talking about politics. But, as far as I know, you refuse to perform in Georgia. That's what politics is.

- You know, in North Ossetia there are many Georgian singers who have become well-deserved and even popular. AND Georgian singers, along with Russian ones, are now one of the strongest in the world opera. Many of them are my friends. And in art there are no Georgians, Ossetians. If not for Makvala Kasrashvili, I might not have been on the world stage. She helps me a lot. But I never sang in Georgia.

- But would you sing?

- I respect Georgian culture and traditions. But how can I come with a concert to a country whose people killed my people? You can say as much as you like that art is out of politics, but Ossetians - those who have lost children, friends, relatives - will not understand this. Therefore, when I was invited and invited, I refuse. I always say:

How do you imagine that? I am an Ossetian, a well-known person, they know me in Ossetia… It is impossible.

I can participate in an international project with the participation of Russian, Abkhazian, Georgian and other performers. But on condition that it will be held in Russia. I will not go to Georgia to sing. If someday the relations between our peoples change for the better, I will be happy to perform in Georgia as well. In the meantime, to all offers, I say: "No."

"I can't say that I am a proper Ossetian woman..."

― Speaking abroad, how do you position yourself: a singer from Russia or Ossetia?

- My homeland is Ossetia, but I always position myself as a Russian singer . First of all, I Russian singer. This is indicated on all posters. More than once I had serious conflicts abroad, when, for example, in Lucerne and Hamburg, posters and theater magazines indicated: "Veronika Dzhioeva, Georgian soprano." For what reason?! The organizers of the tour had to apologize, withdraw circulation and reprint. I speak:

If you do not recognize South Ossetia, then why write "Georgian soprano"? I am a Russian singer, I received my education at the St. Petersburg Conservatory, I was taught by Russian teachers. What does Georgia have to do with it?

―But are you talking about Ossetia?

- Yes, sure. Both before performances and after them, people who want to meet and chat with me often come into the dressing room. When there is a reason, I always say that I was born in Ossetia. The West knows about the republic mainly in the context of negative events - military conflicts with Georgia in South Ossetia, the terrible September 2004 in Beslan ... As for August 2008, they had different information. And when, after the events of this war, I said that the Russians had saved us, they did not believe me. I don’t know how it is now, but then they thought that I was an Ossetian who simply supported Russia. I felt it even when I performed in the Baltics.

"Sister Inga also has excellent vocal abilities. We won all kinds of competitions with her, we can say that in childhood my sister and I had an established duet." Veronika Dzhioeva with her sister and niece

―When relatives come to you in Moscow or abroad, ask them to bring you something national, native?

- Sometimes, I ask you to bring pickles, wine. True, they forget all the time (laughs). My mom is a great cook, so I always ask her to make something tasty. I myself hate to stand at the stove, but I love home cooking. I miss her. In whatever city I perform, I always look for Caucasian cuisine. I really love Korean dishes, but when I stay in Korea for a long time, I start to miss borscht and dumplings terribly. I'm just going crazy (laughs).

―Do you like to cook yourself?

― (laughs) I cannot say that I am a correct Ossetian woman. I don't like and don't know how to cook. But in all other respects I am a real Ossetian. I love bright things and my temperament is explosive not only on stage, but also outside of it. In addition to cooking, otherwise I am an exemplary wife: I like to clean the house and, like a true Ossetian woman, serve my husband, bring slippers ... I am pleased.

―Armen Dzhigarkhanyan said that when he is abroad, he looks for corners that remind him of Yerevan and Armenia.

― Ossetian corners are hard to find anywhere in the world (laughs).

―But are you drawn to your small homeland?

- I love my motherland. Unfortunately, the opportunity to visit there does not come often. Recently, it seems to me, Tskhinval has changed significantly. But I really want people to be kinder to each other, according to my feelings, people lack love, kindness, understanding. I would like to see more attention paid to art in both North and South Ossetia. For example, I feel uncomfortable in such conditions. I can't live without a stage. I feel bad without her. Therefore, the maximum time I can spend there is half a month. And when I manage to come home, I meet only with the closest people. It's good when musicians are treated with understanding. After all, musicians bring good and creation to the world.

―How important is the opinion of fellow countrymen to you?

“Naturally, I care what my people say. Although, I confess, I do not always agree with fellow countrymen.

―Who are the people whose opinion you care about?

- My teacher, relatives, friends.

"It's good when musicians are treated with understanding. After all, musicians bring good and creation to the world." Veronika Dzhioeva with Prime Minister of North Ossetia Sergey Takoev and Senator from North Ossetia Alexander Totoonov

―How do you feel connected to your native land?

- Ossetia is always in my heart, because my son is there. His name, like his father, is Roman. He already big boy and made his own choice. He said his masculine word: "I am Ossetian - and I will live in my homeland, in Ossetia." There is my sister Inga, my nieces, my aunt... I am constantly in touch with them, I know everything about Ossetia. My soul hurts for her, I want more to be done for the people. I know there are many of my fans, they are waiting for me there. I promised them that when there was time, I would come and sing for them.

―You gave last summer in Tskhinval a charity concert"The Motherland I Love" Do you have plans related to Ossetia?

- This concert was in favor of the children of the boarding school. I wanted to show that it is possible to help these children. We have a lot of talented children and it is necessary to create conditions for them so that they can develop their talents and improve in art. My dream is to attract sponsors so that children have the opportunity to study in good universities. Subsequently, they would come back and teach our children. Of course, conditions will need to be created for them.

There are plans to organize a festival in South Ossetia - creative competition young performers, where children from all the republics of the Caucasus could take part. Attract good musicians For my part, I promise.

―I was recently in Krasnodar, where Anna Netrebko is from. They idolize her there: they award orders, medals, honorary titles. Would you like to be treated like this in your small homeland?

- Of course, this is a pleasure for any artist. Five years ago I became an Honored Artist of North Ossetia. Later - and South Ossetia. Although in Europe all these titles mean nothing. That's why I always ask to be declared simply: Veronika Dzhioeva .

“If they say “no” to me, I will definitely say “yes” to spite everyone ...”

―In your track record many awards and titles... Is there a special one for you?

― I have many prestigious awards, including European ones, but it's too early to rejoice. We - vocalists - while we sing, we are constantly improving, we do not stop at the achieved result. Therefore, every successful performance is a kind of victory for me, albeit a small one. And a lot of small victories - it means that the big one will soon be! (laughs).

"If it wasn't for my character, I wouldn't be able to achieve anything." Veronika Dzhioeva in the TV project "Big Opera"

―Like in the TV show "Grand opera"?

― I got into the TV project own will, but contrary to the opinion of her husband, teachers and colleagues. I rehearsed a number for New Year's program on the TV channel "Culture". The channel staff told me about this contest. And I was just rehearsing "Ruslan and Lyudmila" with Mitya Chernyakov at the Bolshoi Theater. Recording each step Grand Opera took place on Mondays. The theater had a day off. I thought: “When else will I have such an opportunity?!” And agreed. The husband was categorically against it. Said it was not my level. And in general, do not waste yourself on such trifles. A lot of my friends told me too. And I have such a character, if everyone says “no” to me, I will definitely say “yes” to spite everyone. And she said.

"It's a paradox, in Russia they like visiting singers more. And in the West - their own! And in this regard, I'm very sorry for ours: it's no secret that Russians have the most luxurious "overtone" voices with the deepest timbres. And in addition to this - breadth and passion ". Veronika Dzhioeva in the dressing room before the performance

― Are you a character singer? Do you love freedom?

- I want to be a branded singer and have a choice in everything - with whom to sing, where to perform, how many times to go on stage. Frankly, I love fame, I love attention, I love being recognized and loved. Television helps to realize dreams faster. That is why I went to the Grand Opera. Although my foreign colleagues assure that Russia recognizes its singers only after they receive a wide calling in the West.

I can say that I did not hold on to this project. She always spoke the truth and knew how to present herself. Often argued. Refused to sign a standard contract. Made my own. If they refused to sign it, I would simply leave the project.

Many considered me the most capricious and most indiscreet participant in the project. Everyone was annoyed by my self-confidence. But if not for this confidence, I would not have been able to achieve anything in life. Even in this competition.

"It's great in Europe, but it always pulls you to Russia..."

―In your opinion, what is the difference between the natives of the mountains and people living on the plains?

- You mean, do Ossetians look like Germans?

―Including.

- I think each region has its own flavor. And people are very different everywhere.

―But personally, with whom is it easier for you to communicate - with Russians, Europeans, townspeople, villagers?

- With the Russians. I love Russia and Russians. In Europe, of course, it’s great, but it always pulls to Russia.

―Do you celebrate any national holidays while living abroad?

- Frankly, there is no time, and as a rule, I perform on holidays. And usually far from home. My parents are not up to it either, they are with my little daughter (June 8, 2013, Veronika Dzhioeva had a daughter, Adrian - ed.). Unless dad can make an Ossetian toast in honor of the holiday. Basically, the celebration is limited to this. I don't celebrate my birthday either. Why rejoice? Because he's a year older? (laughs).

―What about the kids' birthdays?

- It's true. But I don’t go with them on their birthdays either, unfortunately. In general, I only visited Roma once - I work all the time. Concerts, recordings, lots and lots of everything. My schedule until 2017 is so tight that some offers have to be turned down.

―Are you able to talk to your son about this?

- Now he is already an adult and understands everything, although before it was much more difficult. Like any child, he wanted a mother.

―Veronica, on the website of our magazine, the national elections "Highlander of the Year" are held annually. Readers can vote for those who, in their opinion, are worthy of victory. At the end of 2013, you won in the nomination "Classical Music" , ahead of, among other things, Anna Netrebko.

―Is popular recognition important to you? Or do you listen exclusively to the opinion of professional colleagues?

- All this, of course, is pleasant, like any small victory. And it is doubly pleasant to be on a par with such talented people like Anya Netrebko, Tugan Sokhiev, Khibla Gerzmava.

"My character helped and helps me..."

―In 2000, you entered the St. Petersburg Conservatory with a competition of 501 people for a place. And now you perform at famous opera venues. Which of your qualities do you think helped you achieve this?

- Self confidence. Character. I don't really believe in fortune. As shown by my personal experience, only self-confidence, aspiration and work can give a worthy result. I can say that I have achieved everything myself. I know when I studied at the conservatory that some artists were helped: they rented apartments and paid for competitions. I didn't even know it was actually possible. I lived in a communal apartment where rats ran. Horror! But not in a hostel, and that's good. And, probably, stage courage helped me. I am often asked before going on stage: how can you not be worried? But of course I'm worried. But no one ever sees this, simply because I love the stage and my voice so much. The viewer needs to be pleased, and not to shift his problems and experiences onto his shoulders.

―Did you easily beat 500 competitors when you entered the conservatory?

― (laughs) Easily? I remember, before the entrance exams, I lost my voice, he just hoarse. Imagine: the time has come to sing tours, but there is no voice. And then my teacher from Vladikavkaz, Nelli Khestanova, who had been working all this time to regain her voice, exclaimed in her hearts, striking the piano: “Come out, tear your chords, but sing! I left my sick mother and came with you not to so you don't do it!" I don't think I've ever sung so well! (laughs). And we did! The competition was really incredibly big - about 500 applicants for the place. It was unrealistically difficult, but I coped with it. My character helped and helps me. Of course, character! (laughs)

―During your studies, have you ever heard the expression “a person of Caucasian nationality” addressed to you?

“Fortunately, no. Petersburg, I lived on Theater Square, next to the conservatory, so I didn’t take the metro. Often participated in competitions in Europe. In general, I saw only kind talented people. And when I heard about such cases, I always thought: is this really possible?

"My homeland is Ossetia, but I always position myself as a Russian singer."

― Does it matter to you which stage to sing on: in Novosibirsk, Moscow or Zurich?

“A stage is a stage everywhere. But when there is a choice, I always choose the one where it is more prestigious. For me, every concert and every performance is a victory. I'm from small town in South Ossetia.

―In Europe, people actually understand more about operatic art than in Russia?

- The Europeans themselves say that only five percent of those who go to the Opera are connoisseurs. In Russia - less than one percent. Both with them and with us, the audience comes, first of all, to the name. Opera generally went the wrong way. Before the singers the conductors chose, now the directors. And for them, the most important thing is the picture, so they often make the wrong choice. For example, I often hear singers with soubrette voices perform the main parts.

"I had the experience of performing Time to say good bye in a duet with Italian tenor Alessandro Safina. Well done, we should continue." Veronika Dzhioeva with Alessandro Safina

It should not be like this - before such singers would not have been taken to the choir. The directors try to fill the opera with a large number of events on the stage, sometimes turning it into a cinema or theater. Not knowing the essence of the opera and not really understanding music, they try to squeeze the maximum out of opera librettos. In the desire to somehow diversify the largely primitive plot, they are trying to stuff it with non-existent conflicts. And so the following happens: the singer moves in and foreground some action comes out. And the people who come to listen to the opera, as a rule, they know the libretto. There are no surprises for them, who will kill whom or who will fall in love with whom. And they follow the emotions, not the picture. Misunderstanding and led to the fact that the opera in last decade was not in great demand, compared with popular culture.

―But did you personally have no desire to integrate opera into popular music? There is after all successful examples: Netrebko and Kirkorov, Sissel and Warren G...

In concerts I sang with Alessandro Safina and with Kolya Baskov. Well done, we should continue. There is no time yet to start recording and implement a full-fledged project. I want to demonstrate that I can sing well not only operas, but also pop works. But for now, I refuse to record everything that is offered - the songs are ugly. And they must like it. Maybe someday it will work.

"My husband conducts both the orchestra and me..."

―Veronica, what city or country do you like the most?

- NY. I love Moscow very much, I feel very good here. We want to live in Vienna.

"Alim conducts the orchestra at work and me at home. And he does it wonderfully." Veronika Dzhioeva with her husband Alim Shakhmametyev

―Did you decide to move from Prague, where do you live now? If I'm not mistaken, you said: "To live in Prague and at the same time not work in Prague is normal, but as a musician, to live in Vienna and not work there is very strange."

- (laughs). Therefore, we will move to Vienna as soon as we get a job there.

―In Prague, you can really be seen on a morning run?

- Oh, because of the constant flights, I launched this business. But now everything will be different. There is no life without sport. He should help me both in breathing and with my voice. We were simply told that opera singers should not play sports. After all, we sing with our stomachs, and when you pump the press, the muscles begin to hurt. But this is at first, then the pain goes away. I generally understood that if you are not mobile, not hardened, you look bad, nobody needs you. That is why sports are important.

―What kind of music do you usually listen to while running?

- Definitely not an opera (laughs). All I love: Michael Bolton, K-Maro, Tiziano Ferro, Mary J. Blige.

Veronika Dzhioeva after the premiere Don Carlos at the Bolshoi Theater

―Is it true that the part of Queen Elizabeth at the premiere of Don Carlos at the Bolshoi Theater was a real torture for you? I read that the crown pressed on the whiskey so that it was impossible to sing ...

- Also, the suit was very tight (laughs). I recovered while the opera was being prepared - after the birth of the child I did not have time to bring myself into shape. And the measurements were taken before that. But I like to sing in a "stretched position", so I asked to leave the costume as it is, not to alter it. But after him, terrible marks remained on the body.

―Your husband, Alim Shakhmametiev, artistic director Big symphony orchestra Theater of Opera and Ballet of the St. Petersburg State Conservatory. ON THE. Rimsky-Korsakov, chief conductor Chamber Orchestra of the Novosibirsk Philharmonic. There is no feeling of "tight position" in life?

- No. Each of us is doing our own thing. Alim helps me.

―Does he conduct only in the theater, or you too?

― (laughs) At work he conducts the orchestra, and at home he conducts me. And it does it wonderfully. It's hard without him.

― When he came up to say hello during the interview, it seemed to me that you immediately became calmer.

- Maybe. I am stormy, and Alim is reasonable. And he's the only one who can stop me.

―How did you meet?

- Almost on stage. Later, Alim admitted that when he heard my voice, he immediately fell in love with him. At that time, during the rehearsals, I thought: so young and already knows and can do so much! That's how our relationship began. I must say that Alim looked after me very beautifully. In general, I think it's great when the wife sings and the husband conducts!

― How do two stars get along in one family?

- (laughs) There is only one star - me. True, Alim says to me: "Nature has given you too much, and you are lazy, you use only ten percent of your talent." But seriously, I obey my husband in everything. When I "fly away", he will stop, prompt, direct. It is he who manages all my affairs, so I always have everything organized flawlessly.

―Tell me about your husband...

“Alim has been given a lot from God. As in childhood he was a child prodigy, he remained an outstanding personality: he succeeds in everything. And he also studied with such musicians, such masters as Kozlov and Musin. He found the great professors, imbued with the spirit of their music. What can I say if Tishchenko himself dedicated a symphony to him! And Tishchenko is unique! The most brilliant composer, student of Shostakovich. My husband gave me a lot both as a musician and as a man. Alim is a gift for me as a woman. This is my other half. Next to such a person, I will only develop.

Veronika Dzhioeva with mom and dad

―What is Veronika Dzhioeva off stage? What kind of home, in the family circle?

- Like most women, I love everything beautiful. I love shopping, fragrances, jewelry. It gives me pleasure to make pleasant surprises for my relatives. I love my family very much, my parents live in Germany, but during my absence they look after my daughter Adriana. And what a joy it is to fly in and see everyone at home! Can't be put into words. As for the second part of the question, off stage I am the same as everyone else: cheerful, sad, loving, capricious, harmful. Different, in a word!

Veronika Dzhioeva: "If I were born again, I would choose my profession again."

―We are talking in a hotel in the center of Moscow. How important are the attributes of prestige and luxurious life?

- I don't have a rider with lilies and champagne for fifteen hundred euros. But if the hotel, then at least 4 stars, if the plane, then be sure to business class. I have a lot of flights and I don't want to hear the noise, the noise. Although it happens in “business”, they behave inappropriately. But, fortunately, rarely.

―Does this rhythm bother you?

- What do you! I like to live in hotels, and I do not like - in apartments. Life bothers me. I love new countries concert venues, communication with talented people. I never get tired of it. This is exactly how I want to live. If I were born again and I was forced to choose, I would choose my profession again.

Interviewed by Sergei Pustovoitov. Photo: personal archive of Veronika Dzhioeva

For those who love heights

"Singer from God" - this is how the Russian star of the world opera Veronika Dzhioeva is called. Among the images that this amazing woman embodied on stage are Tatiana (“Eugene Onegin”), the Countess (“The Wedding of Figaro”), Yaroslavna (“Prince Igor”), Lady Macbeth (“Macbeth”) and many others! It is about the owner of the divine soprano that will be discussed today.

Biography of Veronika Dzhioeva

Veronika Romanovna was born at the end of January 1979. The birthplace of the opera singer is the city of Tskhinvali in South Ossetia. In an interview, Veronica said that initially her father wanted her to become a gynecologist. True, he changed his mind in time and decided that his daughter should become an opera singer.

By the way, the father of Veronika Dzhioeva has a good tenor. He repeatedly heard that he should study vocals. However, during his youth, singing in Ossetia among men was considered completely unmanly. That is why Roman chose sports for himself. The father of the opera singer became a weightlifter.

Carier start

In 2000, Veronika Dzhioeva graduated from the art school in Vladikavkaz. The girl studied vocals in the class of N. I. Hestanova. After 5 years, she completed her studies at the St. Petersburg Conservatory, where she studied in the class of T. D. Novichenko. It is worth noting that the competition for admission to the conservatory was more than 500 people for one place.

For the first time, the girl appeared on stage in 1998. Then she performed at the Philharmonic. The debut as an opera singer with Veronika Dzhioeva took place in early 2004 - she performed the part of Mimi in Puccini's La bohème.

World recognition

Today, Dzhioeva is one of the most sought-after opera singers, and not only in Russian Federation but also outside of our country. Veronica has performed on the stages of Lithuania and Estonia, Italy and Japan, the United States of America and Spain, Great Britain and Germany. Among the images that Veronika Dzhioeva brought to life are the following:

• Thais ("Thais", Massenet).
• Countess (The Marriage of Figaro, Mozart).
• Elizabeth ("Don Carlos", Verdi).
• Martha ("The Passenger", Weinberg).
• Tatiana ("Eugene Onegin", Tchaikovsky).
• Michaela ("Carmen", Bizet).
• Lady Macbeth (Macbeth, Verdi).

It is worth noting that Veronika is the leading soloist of three opera theaters in Russia at once: she performs on the stages of the Novosibirsk, Mariinsky and Bolshoi Theaters.

World recognition came to this opera singer after she performed the part of Fiordiligi in Mozart's Cosi fan tutte. On the capital's stage, Veronika Dzhioeva performed the part of Princess Urusova in Shchedrin's opera Boyarynya Morozova. Conquered the hearts of the audience and Zemfira from "Aleko" Rachmaninoff. Veronica performed it at the end of the summer of 2007.

Residents of St. Petersburg remembered Dzhioeva and fell in love with her numerous premieres at the Mariinsky Theater. Pleased with Veronica and opera lovers in Seoul. In 2009, the premiere of "Carmen" by Bizet took place here. And, of course, the performance of Veronika Dzhioeva in La Boheme was a real triumph. Now we are glad to see the singer on our stage Italian theaters in Bologna and Bari. The audience of Munich also applauded the opera diva. Here Veronika performed the part of Tatyana in the opera Eugene Onegin.

Dzhioeva's personal life

The family occupies a special place in the biography of Veronika Dzhioeva. The singer is happily married to Alim Shakhmametyev, who holds the position of chief conductor of the Chamber Orchestra at the Novosibirsk Philharmonic, and leads the Bolshoi Symphony Orchestra at the St. Petersburg Conservatory.

The couple has two children - daughter Adriana and son Roman. By the way, for the second time, the audience did not even notice the absence of Veronica on stage: the opera singer performed until the eighth month of pregnancy, and just a month after the birth of the baby, she returned to her favorite pastime again. Veronika Dzhioeva calls herself a wrong Ossetian woman. main reason she considers a dislike for cooking. But Veronica is a great wife and mother: order and mutual understanding always reign in her house.

Participation in the TV project "Big Opera"

In 2011, the southern beauty Veronika Dzhioeva became the winner of the Big Opera project. The opera diva entered the television competition at her own request, but against the wishes of her husband, colleagues and relatives.

A few years after the TV project, in an interview, Veronika said that it all started with a rehearsal of a number for the New Year's program on the Kultura channel. It was the employees of this channel who told Dzhioeva about the competition.

The recording of the Bolshoi Opera program took place on Mondays, when the theater had a day off. Veronica confessed - then she thought that this would never happen in her life, and agreed to participate in the project. The singer's husband was categorically against it and argued that Veronica should not waste herself on trifles. Dissuaded diva and almost all friends. The character of Veronica played a big role in the choice - in spite of everyone, she said “Yes!”.

By the way, the voice of Dzhioeva often sounds in films, including the film "Vasilyevsky Island" and "Monte Cristo". Veronica also recorded an album called Opera arias. And in 2010, Pavel Golovkin's film "Winter Wave Solo" was released. This picture is dedicated to the work of Dzhioeva.

Despite the fact that the birthplace of the singer is Ossetia, Veronika positions herself as an opera singer from Russia. This is what is always indicated on the posters. However, there were also unpleasant situations abroad. For example, when several theatrical magazines and posters called Dzhioeva a "Georgian soprano". The singer was seriously angry, and the organizers had to not only apologize, but also seize all printed copies and publish posters and magazines again.

Veronica explains this very simply - she studied in St. Petersburg with Russian teachers. Georgia has nothing to do with this. influence the position opera diva armed conflicts Georgia and her homeland.

Awards

Veronika Dzhioeva is not only the winner of the Big Opera TV contest. She is a laureate of various competitions and festivals of opera performers. For example, in 2003 she became a laureate International Competition named after Glinka, in 2005 she became the winner of the Maria Gallas Grand Prix. Among the awards of Dzhioeva - theater awards"Paradise", "Golden Soffit" and " golden mask". It is worth noting that Veronika is an honored artist of two republics - South and North Ossetia.

She is called nothing more than a "singer from God", "opera diva" or "one of the best sopranos of our time." Her name is well-known not only because Veronika Dzhioeva comes from the long-suffering Tskhinval or because the singer's husband, conductor Alim Shakhmametyev, leads the Novosibirsk Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra. The very talent of Veronica makes her talk about her, write and run to her concerts. In Novosibirsk, they are rare, because Veronika Dzhioeva is a man of the world. So it is customary to express it when you were born in one place, live in another, keep your way to the third and the stage for you is the whole world. But it's good that the people of Novosibirsk can at least occasionally - in the Philharmonic, where we met, or in the Opera and Ballet Theater - hear this free and strong voice.

- You are a stray bird with us, Veronika, so I would like to start by asking: what marked the beginning of your cooperation with Novosibirsk?

– It all started in 2005, when I participated in the Maria Callas competition (the competition takes place in Athens. - Author's note). When I performed in the third round, the conductor Teodor Currentzis, who arrived there, approached me. He told what is music director and chief conductor of the orchestra of the Novosibirsk State academic theater opera and ballet. And he really wants me to sing in his theater. And then I just got to the Mariinsky Theater after graduating from the St. Petersburg Conservatory and at first shrugged my shoulders in bewilderment: why should I go to Siberia? At the time, I had no idea what level it was! Now I know that in Novosibirsk there are strong singers and musicians, wonderful orchestras. AND Chamber Orchestra Philharmonic, directed by Alim (singer's husband, Alim Anvyarovich Shakhmametyev. - Author's note), - he will give odds to many orchestras in St. Petersburg and Moscow. And then I was in no hurry to Siberia. But Currentzis did not calm down, he called me from time to time, and here is the result - I am here. Since 2006 I have been working as a guest soloist.

- What was the last argument in favor of Novosibirsk?

“At first I came just to hear the Currentzis orchestra, to see how Teodor works…

- ... We even have such an expression: "Theodore of Opera and Ballet." Have you heard?

- No, but I was told a lot about Currentzis in St. Petersburg. And it also influenced that he studied with my classmate, a Greek tenor, who after some time began to sing incomparably better. I came to the exam, to cheer for a classmate, and was amazed at the changes. Now I felt it for myself: no one else works the way Currentzis works with vocalists! After him it is difficult to return to other conductors. Now I am again, since November last year, working at the Mariinsky Theatre. I just sang two La Traviatas... Now Don Carlos with my participation will be shown at the Mariinsky Theater, then Aida. A lot of everything. The performances are one more interesting than the other! There will be work in Tallinn - the Germans are staging Tais, an opera by Jules Massenet. Interesting opera, it is extremely rarely embodied in the stage version. By the way, on March 12, I will have a concert at the Novosibirsk Opera House, where I will sing excerpts from this opera. Under the piano Come!

I work with great enthusiasm both here, with Theodore, and there, in St. Petersburg, abroad. I am grateful to Theodore for believing in me and the possibilities of my voice, and this gave me an impetus. We, singers, on the one hand, are such a commodity - you either like it or not, your school is scolded or praised. And all this is subjective! Intrigue is a well-known thing in creative environment. But Theodore is far from them. On the other hand, we are narcissists. It is very important for us to know that you are artistic, you are admired, that you have a good voice. Currentzis gave me confidence, pressure. In addition, he is my person in spirit. If you see how we communicate during rehearsals, you will understand everything. I myself am the same - eccentric, impulsive. And he is unexpected, indefatigable, works 15 hours a day. You can see it at the concert: he feels me - I understand him.

- And was it that you yourself threw him some musical ideas?

No, it's better not to argue with him. In music, he is a tyrant: as he said, so it should be. But then you realize: everything is justified. This is proved by the projects that I did with him. Cosi Fantutti, for example (another name for this opera by Mozart is “Everyone does it.” - Author's note).

– But you said that now you are also working with other orchestras, with other conductors?

- Yes. Just yesterday, in Moscow, in Great Hall I sang Mozart's Requiem at the conservatory. The orchestra was directed by conductor Vladimir Minin. It was big concert dedicated to the memory of Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Alexy II. The whole beau monde was present, famous people musicians, actors, directors.

- So you are from the ball to the ship, that is, to the plane? And to us?

- Yes Yes Yes! (Laughs.) And Moscow began to invite me, I think, thanks to Currentzis. After his "Cosi Fantutti" the press was especially favorable to me. It was even noted that this is the best debut of the year. With Currentzis, I also sang Vatican music of the 20th century. Also in Moscow. And after that, the reviews wrote that I became a sensation because I sang in an unusual manner, very low voice. Cosi Fantutti, Don Carlos, Macbeth, Figaro's Marriage - I did all these projects with Currentzis. As a matter of fact, La Traviata also goes into this piggy bank. After Theodore heard me sing the aria of Traviata, he said: "Let's do a concert performance of the opera." This is where it all started. He conducted, convincing me that it was not the coloratura that was called upon to sing this part, but voices like mine, strong and with technique. It is no secret that people from the Caucasus are distinguished by their strong timbre. And also the Italians. Many people say to me: "Your voice is of Italian quality." It means a strong soprano, with mobility. The soprano is usually legato. (“legato” is a musical term meaning “connected, smooth.” - Author's note), and to have a technique is rare.

– A few years ago, I was accredited to music festival"Budapest Spring". And we worked together with the Frenchwoman Monique, a critic from Paris. When on one of opera performances there was a replacement and a Russian tenor appeared on the stage instead of a sick English artist, Monique immediately reacted: “The Russian is singing.” She didn't need a program! And the opera was performed in Italian. Tell me, is it really possible to immediately, by one voice timbre, determine nationality?

- Not the nationality itself, but rather the school. But nature is also important, of course. The conditions in which the voice was formed, heredity - all together. The most beautiful voices, in my opinion, are in multinational Russia. We have just been in Erfurt, visiting a very famous professor, a friend of my husband, now he teaches Russian music in Germany. So he told us so: “You come to the opera, if you like your voice, then the singer is from Russia.”

What about the famous Italian bel canto? And after all, your voice, as you said, is also compared with Italian?

- Yes, it is, but it is no coincidence that our people sing everywhere abroad. We are in great demand. Perhaps the reason for this is also the fact that we sing everything: Russian music, German, Italian. Italians cannot sing with such high quality in such a repertoire range.

- A Italian do you own enough?

- The Italians themselves say that my Italian is good, with the correct pronunciation. Recently, La Scala agents approached me, after some time in the course of the conversation, they asked: “Besides Italian, what language do you still speak?” They took it for granted that I spoke fluent Italian. Although music taught me Italian.

- Here's another question, almost intimate for people in your profession. How does your condition affect the sound of your voice?

- Oh, it's different. People don't know sometimes what kind of people we go on stage. Sick, upset, anxious. Or lovers, happy, but overly worried. Life bursts into music all the time. And there's nothing you can do about it. But an artist is an artist to overcome himself. Everyone fails, believe me. I sang in the best theaters peace, I know what I'm talking about. But failures depend on many things, and successes depend only on yourself. And also from those who work with you: from musicians, from other singers, from the conductor. Good luck doesn't just happen!

- Veronica, talking with the singer about life without talking about her work is nonsense. That's why we started our conversation from the stage. And, perhaps, one more amateur question... Do you have a favorite composer?

– Verdi and Puccini are meant for me, for my voice. This oil is what you need. But I would like to perform more: Bellini, Donizetti, Rossini. And, of course, Mozart. Puccini, if I had my way, I would later begin to sing. In the meantime, the voice is young, beautiful and strong - Bellini would sing. The operas "Puritanes", "Norma", "Lucrezia Borgia" ... This is mine!

- But any woman, even if she is a singer, and maybe especially if she is a singer, has something else in her life, which also makes up the meaning of her existence. Relatives, home… Were you born in Ossetia?

– I was born in Tskhinvali. Tom himself. I'll tell you about my parents. My dad- unique person He had an amazing voice. And he worked in the Nakaduli group in Tbilisi. This is "Rodnik" in Georgian. Before, everything was peaceful... Yes, and now among my father's friends there are Georgians, because in art there are no such barriers as in politics. Moreover, it was these people who helped dad move to Germany, where he now lives. At one time he was told: "You must become opera singer". And he became a weightlifter! Honored Coach. In the Caucasus, it was a shame to sing if you were a man. My father's name is Roman Dzhioev. He owns the piano, plays the guitar beautifully, he has an unusual voice.

- And your mother, is she also related to music?

- No, my mother has nothing to do with music. She is a quiet family person. She devoted herself to her husband and children. We have three parents. My sister Inga is very musical, now she lives in Ossetia. Inga and I sang a lot together in childhood. She also studied vocals, but ... became a lawyer. And we also have a younger brother Shamil. I'm proud of it, I live it. We all raised him! Shamil speaks five languages, he is very capable, you know, such an athlete with books. Dad went to Germany for him, he wanted to give the guy the opportunity to study in Europe. In Ossetia, you know, life is difficult now. And the other side of my personal life is my husband Alim. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have made much of a difference. I would not go to any Callas competition. And Theodora would not have met there. Alim is a gift for me as a woman.

- Tell me, how did you and your husband meet? What is your love story?

– We were inspired to love by the opera La bohème. This is the first opera I have done with Alim. He was a young conductor, he worked for us at the conservatory. I came to the sing. I saw him, I thought: "So young and so talented." And then a current ran between us ... The music contributed to this, of course. I sang seven performances with him - and from the overture our romance moved on to the denouement ... Alim really has been given a lot from God. As in childhood he was a child prodigy, he remained an outstanding personality: he succeeds in everything. And he also studied with such musicians, such masters as Kozlov and Musin. He found the great professors, imbued with the spirit of their music. What can I say if Tishchenko himself dedicated a symphony to him! And Tishchenko is unique! Brilliant composer, student of Shostakovich. My husband gave me a lot both as a musician and as a man. This is my other half. Next to such a person, I will only develop! And his family is wonderful. Remember the Soviet adventure film "Kortik"? So here it is a little boy who played in this film is Alim's dad. As a child, he was taken throughout the Union to meet with the audience when the film was released. And my husband’s mother, my mother-in-law… Despite what they usually say about the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law… She always supports me. We come - for her joy. Cooks a lot of delicious food at once. And thanks to her, I have no life! I don't go to the stove at all!

But do you have your own house?

- I'm not at home. (Whispers, playfully.) Everything is scattered! We have an apartment in St. Petersburg, but I come there as if I were in a hotel. St. Petersburg, Moscow, Novosibirsk, a little abroad ... And I also have a son who lives in Ossetia. His name is the same as my father, Roman. He is 13 years old, he is already a big boy and he made his choice. He said his masculine word: "I am Ossetian - and I will live in my homeland, in Ossetia." He did not like St. Petersburg.

- During the war, I read in the press, your son was just in Tskhinval?

- Yes. Two days before the war, I went on tour. Even then, shots were heard from the outskirts of the city, but sister Inga reassured me, saying that everything would soon calm down. I left, but my son stayed there. And two days later, on TV, I saw the destroyed house of my sister. And I was shocked by the words of the presenter: "At night, Georgian troops attacked South Ossetia ...". It was already the third attack of Georgia on South Ossetia! The first happened back in 1920, yes, we were exterminated. And the second is already in my memory, in 1992, when I was at school. And here's the third ... I almost lost my mind at that moment. I started calling my relatives - both at home and mobile. The answer is silence. I cut off my phone for three days. Only on the fourth day I managed to find out that everything was in order with my relatives, I talked with my son. He said: "Mom, we are all alive!" And then he cried: “I saw how my dead classmates were carried out of their houses.” It's very scary. I don't wish this on anyone. My boy showed courage. He a real man even though he is still very young. But we grow up early!

– Would you like more children, Veronica?

– Yes, I would like to. And Alim. Here I will get up a little on the western rails, then I will be able to afford it. Perhaps then I will already learn to nurse and educate. When my first child was born, all this was done for me by his Ossetian grandmother. I was married for the first time at the age of fifteen - in Ossetia we get married early, not only grow up - and at sixteen I had Roman.

- So you said "I'll get up on the western rails." What does it take besides talent? Good impresario?

- Not only. I have a professional agent, everything is going as it should, in the right direction, but there are enough nuances, if we talk about the "western rails" ... In our world, money decides a lot, and the foul play of those who ... not only make their way to the big stage. I seek recognition for my art. There are moves. First "Tais", then ...

Until I speak, I must live. But I suppose that 2010 will be very eventful for me. This July I’m leaving for La Scala… I won’t say that I have everything scheduled for five years, but there is always a year interesting job. It is unpleasant when good offers coincide in time. For example, I was supposed to sing Marguerite in Gounod's Mephistopheles in Erfurt. Did not work out.

But it was different. In general, for me, each of my concerts and each performance is a victory. I'm from a small town in South Ossetia. Who helped me? She tried herself! And lucky with the teachers. I graduated from a school in Vladikavkaz, studied with an excellent teacher Nelly Ilyinichna Hestanova, she gave me a lot. Then she entered the St. Petersburg Conservatory. Was among 447 applicants! Can you imagine the surge? Then there was the most big competition among vocalists throughout the history of the conservatory! Of the almost 500 who want to learn vocals, 350 are sopranos! I liked my voice with its timbre, they took me. I graduated from the great professor, honored. artist of Russia, Professor Tamara Dmitrievna Novichenko, who made such singers as Anna Netrebko and the prima of the Mariinsky Theater Ira Dzhioeva, who also worked here, as you probably know.

- You are not relatives with Irina Dzhioeva?

- Same family. We have another Dzhioeva, in Ossetia she is called the “third Dzhioeva”, Inga, she now lives in Italy, also a singer, soloist of the La Scala choir.

- Do you sometimes ... sing in the mountains, Veronica?

– No, although I know that many singers do it. Screaming as a child! Now I'm afraid I'll lose my voice...

- And what are you outside of the stage and art?

- Not a hostess and not a homebody - that's for sure. We often have an empty refrigerator and nothing to eat for breakfast. But it doesn't matter - we go to restaurants! Otherwise, I am an exemplary wife: I like to clean the house and, like a true Ossetian woman, serve my husband, bring slippers ... I am pleased. Outside the house, my element is shops. Shopping is almost a passion. If I don't buy the thing I like, I don't even have a voice! A special fad is perfume. For example, when I was in Moscow now, the first thing I did was go to a perfume shop and got a handful of cosmetics and perfumes from Christian Dior. When there is order in the cosmetic bag - and the soul sings! But I am not constant: today I need Christian Dior, tomorrow - Chanel. Today Evening Dress, tomorrow another. I have forty pieces of these dresses, they do not fit in the dressing room. And to some, once put on, I immediately lost interest! But what to do! This is how I was born! (Laughs.)

Iraida FEDOROV,
"New Siberia", April 2010