Opera prima donna Tatyana Pechnikova delights and inspires both with her creative achievements and personal qualities. Tatyana Evgenievna told Moskovskaya Pravda about various vectors of her creative activity, about cultural leisure, shared the formula for a happy family life and the secret of maintaining harmony and spiritual balance.
Tatyana Pechnikova is an Honored Artist of Russia, a laureate of the Casta Diva All-Russian Opera Prize, a laureate of the Golden Mask National Theater Prize in the Opera – Female Role nomination, and a laureate of the Evgeny Kolobov Foundation Prize for Selfless Service to Opera Art. For more than twenty years, Tatyana has been a leading soloist of the Moscow Novaya Opera Theatre, performing the main roles in the most prestigious theaters in Europe. As a true patriot, she works a lot with young people and supports the development of culture in the regions - now, as a guest soloist, Tatyana Evgenievna performs the main parts on the stage of the Chuvash Opera and Ballet Theater, teaches vocals at her native department of solo singing at the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music. Love and tenderness reign in her family, Tatyana is happily married to her husband,
You have been involved in music since childhood. What were the first steps in creativity?
- At the age of five, I started studying piano at a music school. After discovering I had perfect pitch, the headmaster made an exception by taking me at such an early age. At the age of 15, there was a clear realization that music is my vocation and profession. I was a soloist in the choir, then I sang romances solo - I always gravitated towards the classics and academic vocals. My parents supported and helped me in everything. They insisted that I first get the specialty of a pianist, after which I decided to enter the Faculty of Solo Academic Singing. At the age of 20, I became a student at the Gnessin State Musical and Pedagogical Institute, successfully graduated from the class of Professor and wonderful person Elena Borisovna Obolenskaya.
- In your professional baggage there are many bright roles in the Novaya Opera Theater. While working in this theater, you became a laureate of the Golden Mask National Theater Award, a laureate of the Casta Diva Russian Music Award. Tell about it.
– The Moscow Novaya Opera Theater is a big part of my life: I served in this theater for more than twenty years, performed the main roles in more than thirty operas. My first role was Tatyana in P. I. Tchaikovsky's opera "Eugene Onegin", a landmark and significant work, the musical director of which was the great opera conductor, musician Yevgeny Kolobov. Another landmark role in my career is the image of Norma from the brilliant opera by V. Bellini. The management of the Novaya Opera Theater invited a team from Germany, from the Stuttgart State Opera, director and playwright, Sergio Morabito and Yossi Wieler, to stage this performance. For this image, I was awarded the most prestigious awards: I received the Casta Diva opera award, which was awarded to the great opera singers Irina Arkhipova, Elena Obraztsova, Vladimir Atlantov, became the winner of the National Theater Award "Golden Mask" in the category "Main female role in the opera." That year, artists from the Bolshoi Theater and the Mariinsky Theater applied for the Golden Mask. This is a very honorable award for me. And in 2012, the E. V. Kolobov Foundation presented me with a valuable and important Prize “For Selfless Service to Opera Art”.
- You performed the main roles in the leading theaters in Europe, was this an important period in your life?
— Yes, I have performed the main roles in the leading opera theaters in Europe, and this, of course, is very prestigious - only opera stars who have achieved the highest professional level in different countries are invited to category A theaters. I performed the parts of Norma in the opera Norma by V. Bellini and Rachel in the opera The Jewess by F. Halevi at the Stuttgart Staatsoper, embodied the image of Rachel in the play The Jewess on the stages of the Dresden Semperoper (Semperoper) and the Bavarian State Opera (Bayerische Staatsoper) in Munich. Of course, working in Europe is a very interesting, rewarding and productive experience. In many ways, the rehearsal process abroad differs from the Russian one. One of the distinguishing features of working in these theaters is that rehearsals initially take place in the space of the scenery of the future performance, the layout of which is built in a separate pavilion. This allows you to thoroughly immerse yourself in the image from the first rehearsals. Also, the fact that the rehearsals are held in costumes that are as close as possible to the stage ones contributes to the entry into the role. It is noteworthy that in some of the leading theaters in Europe there is no permanent troupe: famous singers from around the world are invited to each performance.
I was offered to stay in Europe and join the theater troupe, but my priority was to work in my native theater, in Moscow my family was waiting for me. Therefore, in Europe it was interesting for me to participate in premiere productions and individual performances as a guest singer on a contract basis. Joint creative work with the best singers, directors of the world has become a tremendous experience that contributed to professional growth not only as an artist and singer, but also, in the future, as a teacher.
– At the moment I am performing the role of Tatyana in P. I. Tchaikovsky ’s opera “Eugene Onegin” and Marfa in N. A. Rimsky-Korsakov’s opera “The Tsar’s Bride”, ahead of me is Violetta in Verdi’s opera “La Traviata”.
- Since last year, you have become a soloist of the opera troupe of the Chuvash Opera and Ballet Theatre. What roles do you play on the stage of this theater?
— Tell us about your teaching activities at the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music.
- Before entering the Academy. Gnesins, I worked as a music director in a kindergarten, a piano teacher in a music studio of an aesthetic education center for children. While working at the Novaya Opera Theater, the moment came when I wanted to share my experience and knowledge with young artists - I came to teach at my native university, at my wonderful vocal department No. 1 of the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music, which is headed by Professor Mikhail Surenovich Agin . Vocal art is very individual - there is no universal approach, each student is unique. Vocalists have everything inside, everyone has their own articulation apparatus, and the task of the teacher is to reveal the potential of the student, to teach vocal technique and the ability to stay on stage. I love my students, as a singer I understand how difficult it is to master vocal art,
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- You conduct master classes, are a member of the jury of vocal competitions in Chuvashia, share this vector of your activity.
- This direction is closely connected with pedagogical work, with the desire and ability to share their knowledge and experience with young artists. The Gnessin Academy and other universities have organized an educational program to train personnel for the regions - the government allocates budget places for students who return to their regions in the future. The Minister of Culture of Chuvashia, Svetlana Kalikova, is very interested in ensuring that the performance skills at the Chuvash State Opera and Ballet Theater are always at a high level. Performers are brought up, starting with music schools, later - the Cheboksary Musical College named after F. P. Pavlov, the Chuvash State Institute of Culture and Arts. The administration of the Republic supports students, young artists and does everything so that talents remain in the region and develop culture in their native land. With the support of the Ministry of Culture of Chuvashia, a large educational program is organized in the region - master classes, to which teachers and singers from different cities of Russia are invited. I am very glad that I have the opportunity to conduct master classes and share my experience with students of the school and institute, as well as with opera and ballet theater singers. I see their great interest, desire for progress, desire to learn, improve their professional level and skills. that I have the opportunity to conduct master classes and share my experience with students of the school and institute, as well as with opera and ballet theater singers. I see their great interest, desire for progress, desire to learn, improve their professional level and skills. that I have the opportunity to conduct master classes and share my experience with students of the school and institute, as well as with opera and ballet theater singers. I see their great interest, desire for progress, desire to learn, improve their professional level and skills.
Recently in Cheboksary for the fourteenth time the International Vocal Competition "White Acacia" was held, where I was present as a jury member, the board of which included Honored and People's Artists and teachers from Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan. Such competitions for young performers are an opportunity to express themselves and prove themselves, an impetus for development and improvement.
Do you often go to performances with colleagues? What do you remember the most from what you saw?
— Yes, we often attend various cultural events. My husband was friends with Margarita Eskina, we are friends with many actors who, of course, invite them to their performances. Also, Vyacheslav is a member of the Moscow English Club, which consists of many legendary personalities, such as Alexander Shirvindt, Konstantin Raikin, Alexei Rybnikov, Maxim Dunayevsky, Vladimir Khotinenko. The club often arranges trips to theaters, organizes closed screenings of festival films, after which interesting discussions take place about the content and meaning of films. After the performances, creative meetings are organized with the actors, which provide an opportunity to discuss the performance, ask questions, and share emotions. I am always interested in discussing the musical component of the production. One of the recent theatrical events was Dmitry Astrakhan's play Profitable Place at the Lenkom Theatre. A wonderful performance gave a sparkling evening filled with positive impressions. After watching, we talked with the actors with pleasure, I would especially like to single out the inimitable Olesya Zheleznyak. Another bright theatrical impression of recent times is the performance “Forest” at the Satire Theater, staged by director Anton Yakovlev, his sister, People’s Artist of Russia Alena Yakovleva, shines in the main role, the main male roles are played by People’s Artist of Russia Yuri Vasiliev and Honored Artist of Russia Maxim Averin. A magnificent performance - a wonderful interpretation of the eternal classics, original direction and set design, amazing acting work. And, of course, I try to attend the theatrical works of my students. Just the other day, a student of my class, who graduated from the College. Gnessin, and now studying at GITIS, made her debut at the student theater of GITIS, I gladly came to support her.
— In your opinion, is the modern interpretation of the classics an attempt to take a fresh look at it or a way of self-expression and self-affirmation?
- I believe that this does not depend on time: the reduction, modification of classical works has always been and will always be. If the director has something new and interesting to say, then variations of modern reading are appropriate and acceptable, and if the director simply expresses himself without thinking at all about culture, meaning, audience and artists, then this, of course, is sad.
I can say with confidence about opera performances: for example, Evgeny Vladimirovich Kolobov's musical interpretation of the opera "Eugene Onegin" by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky shortened some scenes, Evgeny Vladimirovich described the production as "Lyrical scenes in seven scenes." This is an incredibly talented, truly phenomenal opera that is truly inspiring and stunning! In Mikhail Glinka's opera "Ruslan and Lyudmila" Yevgeny Vladimirovich swapped fragments of music, and this was an epoch-making work of art. I believe that such a talented artist-musician as Yevgeny Kolobov had the right to reduce or modify, add something, focus on his point of view. Thus, he framed and complemented the great works, brought into them his own palette of emotions, but did not distort the meaning laid down by the author.
But there are, unfortunately, other examples - when directors allow a new reading of the classics with the aim of outrageous. As a rule, in such cases, their logic and train of thought is very difficult to catch not only for the audience, but even for the artists: in the process of rehearsals, they chaotically set tasks, cannot explain what they want to say with this or that scene, what function and meaning this or that carries. decoration.
The operas "Norma", "Jew" are usually shortened: the duration of "Norma" - 3.5 hours, "Jew" - 5.5 hours, these opera performances in the full version are very difficult to make interesting and dynamic. When I performed the main roles in productions of these works in Germany, the full version was staged there: the director worked together with the playwright. These were holistic performances, which, despite the duration, were watched in one breath: throughout the action, a single dramatic line was clearly traced in them, which kept the audience in suspense and caused a real catharsis in the audience. Fortunately, there are directors who make modern performances and operas that are interesting to watch and listen to.
- Never thought hypothetically: if you were born not in the 20th century, but in another era, in which historical period would it be especially interesting to be?
- When you play a performance, you live the image in the time that the composer imagines: this, of course, is very interesting! Over the years of my career, I felt myself in different historical periods, but I never had thoughts of living in that time! I like to live in our time, in our era - I am convinced that each time has its advantages.
You and your spouse have been happy together for 30 years. Is there a formula for a happy life or is it a synthesis of so many factors?
I always say that everything starts with love! Love, mutual respect, support for each other in everything, protection, confidence in the future. And I'm talking not only about financial stability, but also about creative freedom, self-expression, emotional harmony. Vyacheslav always supports me in everything - both in life and in creativity. We got married quite early, developed together.
A long life together, of course, is not an easy path: on the roads of life you encounter various factors that can affect the relationship of two people. Probably, it is fate that brings together - there are two people who coincide with each other. If a person is given by fate in life, then no matter what difficulties arise, people stay together. We are both believers, married, in our family eternal bonds are unshakable. The son was brought up in the deepest respect for his parents, he followed in the footsteps of her husband, became a lawyer. Now he already has his own family, we really like his wife. Before marriage, the son introduced us to his future wife, our opinion was important to him, he always consults with us. Of course, with the creation of his family, the son became less connected with us, we had more time to devote to each other. When the child was small work and vacation schedules did not match. Now both Vyacheslav and I have more flexible schedules, more opportunities to travel, attend events together. So, we can say that a second wind has opened in our relations!
The formula of a serious relationship is to think about each other, respect and protect each other. My husband is proud of my success, I am proud of him, I admire his mind. My husband treats me sensitively, reverently and attentively. And for me, he is still that young boy with whom I once fell in love - I do not feel that we have been together for so many years. I think that it is very important to keep a child in oneself who loves life, retains the ability to rejoice, be surprised, admire. My husband and I do this.
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They say character is destiny. How would you describe your character?
- Translated from Greek, character is a “sign”, a feature of a particular person. I have achieved quite high results in my profession, in my personal life and, of course, this is a synthesis of my character and many other factors. A lot comes from the family. Antoine de Saint-Exupery wisely remarked: "We all come from childhood." I grew up in a very happy, harmonious military family. Dad spoiled me. I am grateful to my parents, they gave me a good upbringing and instilled important moral qualities. From childhood, I have a feeling of absolute love in which I lived: love for loved ones, for people, for the Motherland. The feeling of this love managed to carry through life. It is a great happiness that our values coincide with my husband. When the offer arose to stay in Germany for a permanent job, I did not even consider it. Love for the Motherland and patriotism in our family are not empty words, but a life credo. The husband went through Afghanistan, the son served in the army. Nobility, honor, conscience, dignity are the principles that guide us in life. “Conscience is the best controller!” - For me, this postulate is very important. Never quit in trouble, provide help when a person asks for support. Life has taught you to help when a person asks you about it. According to the sign of the Zodiac, I am Cancer, and according to the eastern horoscope, I was born in the year of the Dog, and my son is of the same zodiac signs. Cancers are fighters for truth and justice, they love order. I have always had a lot of interesting things, I am not afraid to take responsibility, I know about my capabilities. For example, in teaching I know, feel, how to help students improve their vocal skills from the basics to the highest levels. I am a person of extremes - I can be soft and gentle, or I can be tough and collected: it’s difficult for me with halftones, I try to work on myself, I read psychological literature.
Another property of my character is diplomacy, I am an absolutely non-conflict person. When I came to work at the RAM. Gnesins, the first thing they told me was: “We know that you are a non-conflict person who solves even the most difficult issues peacefully!”. It was during the years of work in the theater - she tried to resolve all disagreements by compromise. In relation to relatives, I am very gentle, affectionate. Sometimes it seems to me that with loved ones I remained that little girl, fragile, quivering, vulnerable. Maybe that's why they give me 15 years less than I am!
- You always look great. How do you keep in perfect shape?
- Our appearance largely depends on our attitude: if a person does what he loves, lives in love and harmony, he glows from the inside! Of course, it is important to monitor your health and diet. The modern opera house debunks many stereotypes and patterns - the heroine can and should be slim and graceful. Water is very important for the vocal cords: I drink a lot of water. I like to walk - I walk ten kilometers a day, which ideally replaces training in the gym. I don’t have strict restrictions on food - I try to stick to proper nutrition, but I don’t limit myself in anything: it’s important to enjoy the foods you eat. I love fruits, vegetables, fish, rye bread, I am a big fan of coffee. As for beauty procedures, modern cosmetology gives scope for choosing
— What are the nearest creative plans?
“At this crucial time, I know that I will always be with my country. Together with our colleagues and students, we have prepared the Great Russia program, where we will perform the repertoire of great Russian composers at various venues. It is also planned to participate in performances and concerts. In June - Violetta in Verdi's opera "La Traviata" of the Chuvash Opera and Ballet Theatre, in early May - a student concert of my class at the Russian Academy of Sciences. Gnesins. I publish all current posters on the official website and in social networks. Some fans of my work specially from Moscow come to other cities for performances and concerts with my participation, and from the regions, respectively, to the capital.
- In the endless stream of news, in the dynamics of the metropolis, many people lose the joy of life, become withdrawn, irritable. Share your "recipe" - how to keep a good mood and positive?
I am an optimist: the more I live, the more positive I become. This is connected with your own mood: harmony is within you. Your worldview depends on how harmoniously you build your inner world. I find joy in every minute of my life, I celebrate positive moments, I do not accumulate aggression and negativity, I appreciate everything that God gives me, and I feel His protection. I thank fate for what I have and what is given to me. It is very important to look at things optimistically and believe in the best!
The interview was conducted by Yulia Buruleva.
Photo from the personal archive of Tatyana Pechnikova