Arts: Russian singers want to return to Shaw

Artists performing arias from Russian operas by Sergei Rachmaninoff and Pyotr Tchaikovsky caused the windows and walls of the Shaw Island Community Building to reverberate from the beautiful voices of lyric-spinto soprano Eleanor Stallcop-Horrox reaching high and the tremendous vocal power of mezzo soprano Olga Kargopoltseva.

Their performance in late May was followed by a performance in Seattle at the Russian Cultural Center in Seattle — and hopes of returning next year to Shaw.

At Shaw, baritone Garry Aganesyant’s stirring rendition of “Ave Maria,” the stirring performances by tenor Bernie Kwiram and the booming voice of bass singer Craig Grayson performing arias in Russian and Italian were just a part of an emotional program presented to a rapt audience in the packed building. Piano accompaniment was by Tina Kuratashvili. The only English-language song, “Be My Love,” was performed by tenor Bernie Kwiram.

Definitely not amateurs, all of the performers are members of the Seattle Opera and have performed in major opera houses in the United States and Europe. Most have been in the United States for about a decade or less, with the exception of two who were born in the U.S. Kargopoltseva is from Moscow; the others are from elsewhere in Russia.

The performance was followed by a lunch and dessert provided by the islanders.

The idea of bringing Russian singers together to perform Russian opera is the brainchild of conductor Alexei Girsh, artistic director of the newly formed Concert Opera of Seattle. Girsh is also the conductor of the Eastside Symphony Orchestra based in Redmond.

Just how did such a group of international talent come to perform on Shaw Island? A couple of things. Firstly, Shaw Island resident and Redmond pediatrician Dr. Jack Lynch plays the clarinet and bass-clarinet in the Eastside Symphony Orchestra conducted by Girsh. Girsh’s wife, Pamela, is a former Shaw Island resident.

If you happened to be one of the unfortunate people that missed this magnificent performance, Girsh is considering returning to Shaw Island next year. If that happens, drop everything and rush to Shaw Island.

I guarantee that you will not be disappointed. At this time, Girsh is talking about performing arias from Italian operas.

— Al Wilding is a resident of Shaw Island and a periodic contributor to The Journal of the San Juan Islands.

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