US Mission to Russia

Press Release

“Spread New Music to the World”

Lyrica Classic Entertainment, in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, is pleased to announce the joint artistic and virtual cultural project Spread New Music to the World to acquaint Russian audiences with the modern American classical music of the American-Belgian composer Emmanuel Dubois and present his oratorio "Requiem for the Fallen." The performance of this oratorio in Russia, composed in memory of the victims of wars, is dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Second World War's victory. 

“This requiem premieres in Russia appropriately at the end of a year of remembrance of those who tragically lost their lives during World War II,” says John J. Sullivan, U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation.  “As we commemorate the 75^th anniversary of the end of World War II during 2020, we recognize and honor the shared sacrifice, enduring commitment, and unflinching bravery of the Allied forces and the civilian sacrifices in defeating the Axis powers.  The people of many countries made great sacrifices and endured enormous suffering and loss of life.”

The oratorio was presented by Lyrica Classic in its U.S. premiere in Carnegie Hall in New York City in 2019.  The Russian premiere will be performed by the United Symphony Orchestra named after N. Golovanov, the spiritual choir Vera, and soprano Yulia Petrachuk, under the direction of conductors Michael Wittenburg from New York, Alexei Sobolev in Moscow, and composer Emmanuel Dubois from Washington using virtual video communication platforms.

The concert will be open to the general public to view. The final production of the oratorio will be broadcast from the Mosfilm recording studio in Moscow on Sunday, December 27, at 6:00 pm Moscow time on YouTube Live: https://bit.ly/RequiemDubois

The “Share New Music to the World” project will also host a series of educational virtual webinars for Russian students with experts of classical music, such as Enrique Mazzola, famous Italian conductor and musical director of the Lyric Opera of Chicago; Gregory Buchalter, conductor of the Metropolitan Opera and chief conductor of the Varna International Festival; Everett McCorvey, director and executive producer for the University of Kentucky Opera Theater and music director of the National Chorale in New York; Giovanni Reggioli, conductor with the Washington National Opera, Metropolitan Opera, and Los Angeles Opera Orchestras; and other distinguished guests.  The main topic of the webinars is how to succeed in the modern classical music industry. A Q&A session will follow each discussion with a Russian translator.

 The mission of the project is to unite nations through music with a deep collaboration of artists from the highest levels from both the United States and Russia. The project will provide a unique opportunity for young specialists from musical educational institutions in Russia to take part in the preparation process of oratorios, discuss with composer and world-renowned artists, and watch music come to life, in all its complexity and variety.

More information about the project can be found on its website: https://lyricaclassic.org/spread-new-music-to-the-world/.