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The State Hermitage Museum not just studies and preserves the humankind's
cultural heritage but also promotes various arts.
In January 1991, was opened after reconstruction the Hermitage Theater
built in the late 18th century by the architect Giacomo Quarenghi for
the Empress Catherine II. Many musical compositions written for the Hermitage
Theater were laid in the foundation of the building which we now call
the Russian Classical Music. In those days the Imperial Palace and the
Hermitage with its theater truly became for the Russian musicians Academy
of Music.
In February 1994 it was announced that the St. Petersburg Camerata Orchestra
became the official orchestra of the State Hermitage Museum and was awarded
the unique status of an orchestra of one of the largest museums of the
world. This event generated the project of the Hermitage Music Academy.
The Hermitage Music Academy is not a new institution of learning but a
form of spiritual contacts between people. The word "Academy"
is used here in its original Greek sense of Akademos' Gardens as a place
of spiritual communication.
The Hermitage Music Academy is a non-for-profit program which combines
all existing forms of musical art, from chamber concerts and master classes
to grandiose gala performances. The program is intended to revive many
musical masterpieces, provide the venue for the best masters of our time
and introduce new names. The Hermitage Theater and the Museum's halls
and yards became the concert venues that opened the Hermitage to the world
of music. The program was officially inaugurated on 13 April, 1997, in
the St. George Hall of the Winter Palace. It was opened by Josef Haydn's
oratorio Creation of the World performed by the State Hermitage
Orchestra and the Smolny Cathedral Choir conducted by Sergey Stadler.
1997 also saw the creation of the Hermitage Music Academy Charity Foundation
whose Board of Trustees include Mikhail Piotrovsky, Director of the Hermitage
(Chairman of the Board), conductor Saulus Sondetskis, artistic director
of the State Hermitage Orchestra, and such artists of world renown as
Maya Plisetskaya and Rodion Shchedrin. The Hermitage Music Academy Foundation
has taken part in the organization of more than 200 concerts with the
participation of the State Hermitage Orchestra in the best concert halls
in Russia and abroad. The Foundation takes part in the organization of
concerts of the Hermitage Music Academy Program: Debuts and Premieres
at the Hermitage Theater, ...only Mozart!, All Beethoven Symphonies at
the Hermitage, Remembering Venice (Music of Antonio Vivaldi in the Hermitage
Halls), World of Chamber Opera and the annual Tuba Mirum International
Cultural Project. The Foundation organizes special free concerts for the
Hermitage personnel, disabled people and orphans.
Since 2000, the Foundation jointly with the Russian Television introduces
the Hermitage Music Academy cycle of concerts in Kultura and RTR Channels
(presented by Zoya Belyayeva).
Best orchestras and performers from many European countries take part
in concerts organized by the Foundation with the support of the Hermitage,
consulates general of various countries and commercial companies and banks.
Foundation Director, composer Sergey N. Evtushenko is Artistic Director
of the Hermitage Music Academy Program. Eisuke Fujino (Japan) is Executive
Program Director.This unique program launched by the Hermitage has become
an integral part of the life of both the Museum and the City of St. Petersburg.
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