Best singers from 10 countries will participate in the II International Muslim Magomaev Vocalists Contest

A preliminary elimination round of the II International Muslim Magomaev Vocalist Contest named came to an end. Over 200 singers from 18 countries worldwide attended this Contest.  Jury chairman of this unique contest, People's Artist of USSR, Bolshoi Theatre soloist, the head of vocal department of the Russian University of Theatre Arts (GITIS), Professor Tamara Sinyavskaya told during a press conference on May 24 to the ITAR-TASS.

"On Friday, May 25 - will be three and a half years when Muslim Magomaev passed away. The contest originated two years ago in the memory of Muslim. The number of applicants to participate in it has increased. “This is Muslim’ merit” - said the words Ilinichna Tamara and began the press conference with journalists. - Despite the fact that the competition is still very new, we have received many responses this year. We have received the total of 207 applications from singers from 18 countries. The applicants chosen to participate in the contest are from Russia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Germany, USA, North Korea, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Ukraine and Belarus. We have selected the best applicants. It is noteworthy that interest in the work of Magomaev increases, and we received a number of proposals to conduct concerts with the winners of competitions from different countries, in particular - Italy, Germany, Canada and the United States. Muslim is loved and remembered throughout the world. " The press conference was also attended by the founder of The Muslim Magomaev Musical and Cultural Heritage Fund, President of JSC "Crocus" Aras Agalarov, the member of the jury this year, People's Artist of Russia, the artistic director of "Helikon-Opera", Professor Dmitry Bertman and the first Deputy of the General Director of ITAR-TASS Mikhail Gusman. "We work together with Tamara Ilinichna Sinyavskaya in the Russian University of Theatre Arts (GITIS), and educate young artists there. Magomaev’s piano is located in the classroom; it is the great honor to touch his keys, - said Dmitry Bertman. - I am happy that I was invited to be the member of the jury of the contest. Since childhood, the voice of Muslim Magomaev was heard on the radio, television in my house. I also listened to his records. He was the favorite singer of my parents.”

Founder of The Muslim Magomaev Musical and Cultural Heritage Fund Aras Agalarov once again reminded the audience why this competition is different from all others: "The contestants have to sing opera arias and perform pop music as well as they must possess acting skills, artistry and sense of style. Muslim had all of these... But he also had something very important that, unfortunately, a limited number of artists in the world have - it's the inexplicable ability to completely “own” the audience and to penetrate into the depths of the human soul. " According to Tamara Ilinichna, The Muslim Magomaev Vocalists Contest which will be held in Moscow on 20 and 21 October 2012 for the second time and will be dedicated to 70th anniversary of the birth of the great singer, will be attended by the established singers "It is some kind of seal of quality for an artist. We want to see the contestants perform something different from the stage, in their own matter and not imitate Muslim. This is a very difficult task. I would personally refuse to participate in this contest if I were offered to. It is too much of responsibility. Our contestants though are really talented and courageous. I think it will be hard for our jury to judge, "- she said with a smile.

The jury this year are presented by the leading opera singers, famous artists and musicians from Russia, Azerbaijan, Italy that is People's Artist of USSR, Elena Obraztsova, People's Artist of Russia, Georgia and Ingushetia Tamara Gverdtseteli, People's Artist of the USSR and Azerbaijan Badalbeyli Farhad Shamsi ogli, National Artist of Russia, the artistic director of "Helikon-Opera", Professor Dmitry Bertman, artistic director of the Academy of opera (Italy), Vincenzo de Vivo (VINCENZODEVIVO), and People's Artist of the RSFSR Lev Leshchenko.

At the end of the press conference, Mikhail Gusman said that in the memory of the great singer on his 70th anniversary his friends and family have decided to publish rare recordings of Muslim Magomaev, including a song from the movie "17 Moments of Spring" not aired before.