Algerian Radio
The "Russian Festival Orchestra" and the Mexican trio "Mexico Lindo" performed a gala concert on the night of Friday to Saturday, marking the second day of the 15th International Cultural Festival of Symphonic Music. The event, which opened on Thursday, is being held at the Algiers Opera House "Boualem Bessaih".
The first part of the evening featured the "Russian Festival Orchestra," conducted by Maestro Mikhail Antonenko. The orchestra performed world-class classical masterpieces by renowned composers such as Verdi, Rachmaninoff, Bizet, Popper, Rossini, Tchaikovsky, and Glinka.
The Russian performance was highlighted by the exceptional performance of mezzo-soprano Polina Sharafavora. Her powerful voice captivated the audience, taking them on a journey through the famous opera "The Italian Girl in Algiers" (L'italienne à Alger), composed by Gioachino Rossini and first performed in 1813.
The show also featured remarkable performances by young talents, including pianist Nathalie Gapon, violinist Eva Plakun, and cellist Paulina Tay, among others. Their performance received an enthusiastic response from the audience that packed the Opera House hall.
In a statement to the Algeria Press Service (APS), mezzo-soprano Polina Sharafavora expressed her "great joy" in performing for the Algerian public, describing their response as "more than wonderful." She added that music "unites people from different countries and continents," thanking the festival for providing an opportunity to meet other artists and discover "the wonderful country of Algeria."
Founded in 2022, the "Russian Festival Orchestra" is one of Russia's newest and most dynamic musical ensembles. Since 2024, it has attracted top young Russian musicians from regions including Saint Petersburg, Moscow, and Vladivostok. Since its inception, the group has performed numerous symphonies by masters like Shostakovich, Beethoven, Stravinsky, and Tchaikovsky, as well as works by Strauss, Mozart, Bizet, and choral masterpieces by Taneyev.
The second part of the concert featured the Mexican trio "Mexico Lindo," composed of soprano Rebeca Olvera, baritone Carlos Reynoso, and pianist Ronaldo Garza. The trio performed a selection of musical pieces by creators from Mexico and beyond, such as Julio Cesar Oliva, Maria Grever, Léo Delibes, and Giuseppe Verdi.
Carlos Reynoso, visiting Algeria for the second time, stated that the trio "presented a rich program combining emotional Mexican music, reflected by great names like Agustín Lara, alongside Spanish, French, and Italian music." Regarding the trio's activities, he noted that while each member performs individually in Mexico and Europe, this concert in Algeria marked their first-ever joint performance.
At the end of the evening, the Russian orchestra and the Mexican trio were honored by the festival management, in the presence of the Festival Commissioner, Abdelkader Bouazzara, along with several official guests.
The 15th edition of the International Cultural Festival of Symphonic Music will continue until May 7.
