Recently, Dmitry Ulyanov gave an interview to Musical Life, in which he spoke about the premiere of Mussorgsky's opera Khovanshchina at the Grand Theatre of Geneva, working with the cult director Calixto Bieito, and also about working at La Scala on Eugene Onegin directed by Mario Martone.
"MAMT soloist Dmitry Ulyanov (Remote control) played the role of Ivan Khovansky in the premiere of Mussorgsky's opera "Khovanshchina" staged by the cult director Calixto Bieito on the stage of the Geneva Opera House and spoke about this work to Vladimir Dudin (VD).
VD In order to work with director Calixto Bieito, who has a reputation for being a troublemaker, you probably need to have a strong psyche, a lot of experience and training. Is this your case?
Remote control I am already participating in his third production at the Geneva Opera, all three are Russian operas. We met at Prokofiev's War and Peace, then there was Shostakovich's Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District and now Khovanshchina with the same production team and conductor, the Argentine Alejo Perez, a wonderful musician, very emotional and competent, trusting and loving singers. We worked together with the director without any problems, being on the same wavelength. When we had just started rehearsing, he announced that he needed me for all three productions.
VD How would you characterize Bieito's directing style?
Remote control It's always sharp angles and complete permissiveness on stage. For him, the main thing is emotions and explosive energy. He is not a supporter of precise mise-en-scène, and when assistant directors try to fix some points, he says: "In no case. Dmitry feels this scene, knows what to do here. It is his absolute right and desire to move as his emotions and music dictate." He gives over the filling of the scene to you, trusting your acting gut. Of course, he fixes some important technical moments, some are revealed during rehearsals and remain as important event points, but inside you can "swim" freely, like a whale in the ocean.
VD Is this kind of freedom a dream for an artist?
Remote control If you are not ready for this, it can certainly be stressful, and if you are used to working on a set track, it will be difficult. Calixto's favorite word is energy. "Look, listen, energy" - "look, listen and give energy."