Nikoleta and Aza Sydykov Promo Video
Two innovative New York City Musicians collaborate in their city for the first time at the National Opera Center, Friday, June 3rd, 2016 at 7:30pm
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It is often said that music is the most universal language. It brings together disparate people and cultures with unparalleled facility. Soprano Nikoleta Rallis and concert pianist Aza Sydykov, though from different sides of the world, share similar musical goals.
Nikoleta Rallis grew up in Wrightsville Beach, NC and after attending Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio, moved to New York City in 2010 to study and expand her career, recently making her debut at Stern Perelman Auditorium at Carnegie Hall as a soloist in John Rutter’s Requiem. For the past few years she has impressed audiences all over the world from Italy and Greece to premiere venues in the United States with her “beautiful voice” and “dazzling presence” - Koini Gnomi (Greece). An incredibly versatile artist, she is equally at home with major operatic roles, the art song repertoire as well as musical theater.
For much of his life, since leaving his homeland of Kyrgyzstan at the age of 14, Aza Sydykov has been committed to using his art as a catalyst for positive change in the international community, striving to build global connections through music. He accompanied the first Kyrgyz President during state visits, performing in front of many heads of state, working to conserve and develop the rich musical traditions of his country. After studying for 7 years at the famed Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow, he moved to the U.S. where he went on to make history in May of 2014 with his solo debut recital at Weil Hall at Carnegie Hall, the first appearance of a Kyrgyz musician at this great hall. Following the success of this concert he has become a regular performer at Carnegie Hall in addition to extensive tours throughout the U.S.
Their performance at the National Opera Center will mark a special point in their collaboration. “We’ve performed together many times in other places throughout the U.S. but this will be our first time collaborating on a concert in New York City,” commented Sydykov. “I feel like, in a way, this is the culmination of all our work together so far. We are challenging ourselves with this tremendous program.” In addition to sensational art songs by Schubert, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Ravel and Obradors, the concert will also feature some of the most artistically and technically demanding music for piano such as Fantasy in D minor K397 by Mozart, Schubert’s Wanderer Fantasy and Liszt’s Rhapsodie Espagnole. “We wanted to create a program which not only reflects our common musical interests, but has a unifying theme,” says Rallis. “I think there is a ‘searching’ quality to much of the music, particularly in the case of both of the Schubert selections, where both are actually titled, ‘wanderer.’ There’s also an incredible amount of variety. We wanted to explore the musical styles of many different cultures.”
The concert will take place at the National Opera Center’s Scorca Hall. “It’s one of the most inviting and intimate halls in Manhattan and the audience will enjoy a warmth and connection with the music and performers there which they may not experience in larger spaces,” Rallis explains. “It was very important for us to share our concert with the audience in this way, which is why we chose to present it there,” says Sydykov. “We wanted to be close to our listeners while sharing this personal musical statement and we’re very excited to see everyone there.” Attendees will be invited to a reception at the National Opera Center immediately following the concert where they will be able to visit with the artists.
Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington is a port city in- and is the county seat of- New Hanover County in coastal southeastern North Carolina, United States. The population is 106,476; according to the 2010 Census it is the eighth most populous city in the state. Wilmington is the principal city of the Wilmington Metropolitan Statistical Area, a metropolitan area that includes New Hanover and Pender counties in southeastern North Carolina, which has a population of 263,429 as of the 2012 Census Estimate.
Wilmington was settled by European Americans along the Cape Fear River. Its historic downtown has a one-mile-long Riverwalk, developed as a tourist attraction. It is minutes away from nearby beaches. The National Trust for Historic Preservation named Wilmington, North Carolina, as one of its 2008 Dozen Distinctive Destinations. City residents live between the river and the ocean, with four nearby beach communities: Fort Fisher, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, and Kure Beach, all within half-hour drives from downtown Wilmington.
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Clifton Truman Daniel's Interview
Clifton Truman Daniel is the grandson of President Harry Truman. In this interview, Daniel discusses what it is like to be the grandson of the president. He recalls his relationship with his grandparents and his mother, Margaret Truman Daniel, and how he learned that “Grandpa” had been president. In addition to discussing the work that he does on behalf of the Truman Presidential Library, Daniel also speaks about the more recent trips he has made to Japan and meeting with survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He describes his friendships with survivor Setsuko Thurlow and with the family of Sadako Sasaki.
For the full transcript: