About the production

In July, 2010, Perm State Tchaikovsky Opera and Ballet Theatre will present a unique production of Beethoven's only opera "Fidelio" on the territory of the former GULAG camp for political prisoners "Perm 36", which is now a museum of the history of political repressions.

The production is conceived by the creators as a site-specific piece and not as traditional onstage performance. The epic number of cast members, inspired by the universal idea of love and freedom of Beethoven's great opera, will bring the whole experience of the camp alive to the audience.

The complex staging will be carried out by an international team. The artistic director of the "Opera/GULAG Project" is George Isaakyan, the chief conductor of the theatre, Valery Platonov, undertakes the musical direction. The production is directed by Michael Hunt and designed by Charlotte Skene Catling, both from Great Britain. Costume designer is Fagilya Selskaya from Moscow. Each performance will require over 600 performers, among them there are soloists, chorus singers, extras and the theatre symphony orchestra.