The concert programme “Berlioz 150” was arranged at Magtymguly Musical and Drama Theatre on October 19. Magali Léger, a contemporary French light soprano performed the concert backed up by the State Orchestra, directed by Rasul Klychev. The cultural event was organized by the Embassy of the French Republic in Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Culture of our country.
... On October 17, upon arrival in Ashgabat, Magali Léger gave interview to journalists. The beautiful opera diva surprised by the openness in communication. The main purpose of her tour to the capital of Turkmenistan was the popularization of the works by Hector Berlioz and other French composers of the 19th century, the part of her concert programme.
“Berlioz’s music is typical of France.It is enough to listen to his works to plunge into the atmosphere of that time, to get into the spirit and rhythms of that distant era.
Another purpose of my visit is to get acquainted with the music of Turkmen composers.The programme of our concert included a song about Ashgabat.The lyrics and expression of this melody are exciting.
It is felt that the Ashgabat people love their city as much as the Parisians love their city.So far this is the only thing I know about Turkmen music, but I want to get to know it better”, says Magali Léger in her interview.
Originally from Guadeloupe, Léger was a student of Christiane Eda-Pierre. In 1999, she won a First prize at the Conservatoire de Paris.
Magali's bright voice sounded at the leading opera houses in the USA, Italy, Austria, Spain, and Russia, and her every concert was a great success.
“My repertoire is wide”, Magali Leger continues the conversation. “Of course, opera and baroque music are in the first place, but I also like to play jazz and chanson.
Journalists often ask me about my hobbies.My only hobby and passion is singing, without which I cannot imagine my life.But when I have free time, I like to travel with my husband and our two children.
My husband is not from the musical environment, he is the director of a museum.Therefore, during leisure time I am not an opera diva and completely immerse myself into my family and life, and I really like it.
“This is my first visit to Ashgabat and have not yet met Rasul Klychev and the members of his orchestra. I hope that our co-creation will be mutually beneficial, and the Ashgabat audience will be happy to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of European classical music”.