Music critics called Solomia Krushelnytska (1872-1952), still in her lifetime, “the world’s most prominent singer with a lyric-dramatic soprano that spans from the lowest to the highest tones. Her strong, ringing, juicy, velvety, and flexible voice captivated audiences with perfect vocal diction, a virtuosic technique, a noble timbre, lyricism, and a dramatic effect.” Among the singer’s numerous distinctions were the titles “the 20th century’s Wagnerian prima donna” and “the most beautiful and charming Butterfly.” Such legendary singers as Enrico Caruso, Titta Ruffo, Feodor Chaliapin, and other stars considered it an honor to perform with Krushelnytska on the same stage.
“This year we are holding the 15th International Solomia Krushelnytska Festival of Operatic Art,” says Nadia TRUSH, literary department chief at the Lviv National Krushelnytska Opera and Ballet Theater. “The forum’s program includes the well-known oeuvres in which our compatriot not only immortalized her own name, but also brought fame to Ukrainian art worldwide. Although there will be no foreign guests due to a financial crunch, opera buffs will not be disappointed and will be delighted with the mastery of Ukrainian vocalists.
“The festival will begin with the well-known opera Madama Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini. Incidentally, Krushelnytska saved this work from failure at Milan’s La Scala on February 1904, by agreeing to sing the leading part of Cio-Cio-san. On May 29, 1904, Teatro Grande in Brescia staged the premiere of an updated Madama Butterfly, which scored a triumph. The actors and the composer had seven curtain calls! After the show, the moved Puccini sent Krushelnytska his portrait with a dedication: “To the most beautiful and charming Butterfly!” Incidentally, this is a key point in the ballet The Return of Butterfly (to be shown as part of the festival) written by the well-known Ukrainian composer Myroslav Skoryk, who has included some Puccini’s popular arias into the score, the choreography is by Serhii Naienko, and scenography by Tadei Ryndzak.
“On November 15, the main parts in Madama Butterfly will be sung by Lviv Opera’s leading soloists Liubov Kachala (Cio-Cio-san), Roman Trokhymchuk (Pinkerton), and Marfa Shumkova (Suzuki), while the Dnipropetrovsk-based maestro Volodymyr Harkusha will be conducting the orchestra. Next on the line will be Giuseppe Verdi’s Aida, where Maria Berezovska, a soloist at the National Opera of Ukraine, will sing the part of Amneris. We have also included into the forum Verdi’s La Traviata, the opera Krushelnytska liked very much but, unfortunately, never sang in it. It is Alla Rodina (National Opera soloist) who will play the role of Violetta. The festival will come to a close on November 22, showing the passionate Carmen by Georges Bizet, in which National Opera soloist Iryna Petrova will sing the main part.
The theater has now prepared, in conjunction with Lviv’s Solomia Krushelnytska Musical and Memorial Museum and Lviv Opera, an anniversary exhibit about the history of the Krushelnytska Festival and its founder, the outstanding Ukrainian conductor Ihor Latsanych.
