Beglov inaugurates Chaliapin hall with Aurora's salute
The ceremonial opening of the concert hall at the Feodor Chaliapin Music Theater took place on January 20 in the building at 56 English Embankment. The festive event began with a light show on the facade facing the Neva River.
Among the virtual guests was the legendary cruiser Aurora. Through projection, its historical greeting—a symbolic salvo—was recreated. The animated shot sounded from almost the same point in the Neva waters as in 1917.
The opening was attended by St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov, who was invited to the stage by the theater«s artistic director, Fabio Mastrangelo. The city head noted the complex and long path of the building»s restoration.
«I would like to congratulate, first of all, the builders, restorers, designers, because, you know, here every corner, every wall, every stained glass window and absolutely everything is done with great love and with great difficulties, it»s not all so simple,« stated Alexander Beglov.
The governor emphasized that the main achievement was the return to the city of a historical building with a unique English organ, which has no analogues in St. Petersburg. He also repeatedly highlighted the role of theater director Yulia Strizhak, who, according to him, managed to organically integrate all necessary modern premises into the ancient walls: cloakrooms, dressing rooms, and a buffet.
Beglov reminded that reconstruction continues in the main theater building in Alexander Park, where a «magnificent theater» is also planned to be created.
The building on the English Embankment, a former church, after restoration has become a concert venue. During the works, historical stained glass windows were recreated, an altar painting—a copy of a Rubens work from the Hermitage Museum—and the only English organ in the city was restored.
