The 21st International Festival Stars on Baikal culminated in IrkutskThe event drew over 10 000 spectators

The 21st International Festival of classical music Stars on Baikaltook place in Irkutsk from September 6 to 17. As part of the festival, 13 concerts were held at the N. Zagursky Irkutsk Regional Musical Theater and the Concert Hall of the Irkutsk Regional Philharmonic.

Participants included renowned conductors, soloists, and performers, among them were Vladimir Spivakov, Ivan Nikiforchin, Dmitry Yurovsky, Oleg Khudyakov, Dejan Savić (Serbia), Hibla Gerzmava, Ekaterina Shipulina, Oleg Gabyshev, Borislav Strulev, Pavel Milyukov, Alexander Ramm, Yulian Makarov, and others, as well as young award winners of music competitions over the years. Four celebrated music ensembles – the Russian National Youth Symphony Orchestra, the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia, the Stradivari Ensemble, and the Governor’s Symphony Orchestra of the Irkutsk Regional Philharmonic – performed at the festival concerts. The event also featured a competitive selection process for gifted musicians from the Irkutsk region to receive scholarships from the New NamesFoundation and the traditional С Notе(Nota Do) charity auction.

Regional Governor Igor Kobzev:

“This year’s program was rich and multifaceted. Outstanding Russian ensembles and performers took the stage. Each of the festival’s 12 days was a sell-out. We all lived and breathed this cultural event. It offered a chance to experience the artists’ professionalism and energy, and to hear amazing music. I am certain it will remain in the audience’s memories for a long time.”

Festival Artistic Director and People’s Artist of the Russian Federation Denis Matsuev:

“Each day of the festival was a kaleidoscope, a fireworks display of amazing revelations. Over the course of 12 days, plenty of artists performed, ranging from ten-year-old Emir Zakaria to stars such as Vladimir Spivakov and Hibla Gerzmava. They performed for you, and I am delighted that the festival took place. I am sad to see it come to an end. We have already nearly finalized the program for the next — the 22nd — ‘Stars on Baikal’ festival, and I am confident we will meet again very soon.”

The events were held with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and Federal State Budgetary Institution of Culture ROSCONCERT.