One of Russia's most distinguished opera and ballet companies has an innovative solution to prohibitions on public gatherings over the coronavirus: playing to an audience of one.
The Perm Opera and Ballet Theater, a Urals city company famed for its cutting-edge projects, said it would be launching the "One on One" performances from the end of March.
"A full-fledged performance cannot happen without the participation of an audience," the company said in a statement.
Each audience member will be chosen by lottery and will have to undergo a medical check before attending a performance, which will also be broadcast online.
Principal stage director Marat Gatsalov called the project "without precedent in the history of theater" and said the company felt it was important to continue to play to an audience, even if consists of only one person.
"In the grand scheme of things, one spectator is the same as a full house," he said in the statement.
The Perm Opera and Ballet Theater is one of the most audacious cultural projects in post-Soviet Russia.
Teodor Currentzis, one of the world's mostly highly regarded conductors, worked in Perm between 2011 and 2019.
The theater traces its history to the 1870s when it was built with donations from wealthy businessmen who included the grandfather of ballet impresario Sergei Diaghilev.
Governments around the world have ordered the closing of concert halls and theaters to try to contain the coronavirus pandemic and many venues have turned to streaming.
Russia has recorded 253 cases of the coronavirus, including three in the Perm region, according to the most recent official figures published Friday.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
