A long day’s journey into morning for me and a night to remember for the rest of my life – 20 November 2017, the world premiere of the wonderful opera by composer Gennadyi Shiroglazov – How I Became an Amazon – based on my book When I Became an Amazon (Iron Press, 1996; Bilingua, Russia, 2002) with brilliant Russian translation by Natalya Dubrovina. Soprano Olga Popova, from the Tchaikovsky Opera and Ballet Company, sang my words in English with such power and beauty it was hard for me to read the poems in between without tears (be strong and focus!) The 30-strong chamber orchestra was conducted by Valery Platonov. My deepest thanks to them all and to our interpreter and translator, Larissa Galanova, for enabling me to understand and communicate and to Serge Lepi and Elena Musihina for their wonderful photographs.
PHOTOS BY SERGE LEPI: Olga and Jenny performing; Gennadyi takes a bow; Audience applause; Valery Platonov; Discussions with translator; Violinist; harpist; cellist (ALL ATTACHED)
REHEARSAL PHOTOS BY ELENA MUSIHINA
