Puppet Opera Rumi ‘s well-received by Russians

Rumi is a Persian-language opera by Iranian composer Behzad Abdi to a libretto by puppet theatre director Behrouz Gharibpour. The opera combines Persian traditional dastgāh modal system and sama dance with Western music. The libretto is based on the story of Shams and Rumi. The musical score of the play is largely based on the traditional Persian system of melodic figures, and the movements of the puppets are interwoven with elements of the ancient ritual dance sama (the dance of Sufi dervishes, 10th-11th centuries).

 

This puppet opera was widely received by Russian audiences with five successful performances at the "Etstra" hall in Moscow, as part of the Chekhov International Theater Festival.

The Chekhov International Theatre Festival, first held in 1992, is the first and biggest international theatre event of this scale in Russia, and among the best-known theatre forums in the world. Its motto is the words of the great director Giorgio Strehler – “Theatre for All”.

 

The Chekhov Festival is headed by its  Director General, Karina Tsaturova.

The Aran National Opera Company, with the presence of 27 puppeteers and technicians, staged ‘ Rumi’ in the 700-seat "Atstra" hall in the form of two daily performances, and was met with positive reactions from the audience and the Russian media.

During this trip, Behrouz Gharibpour also visited the exhibition of the 33rd anniversary achievements of the Chekhov Festival on the famous Arbat Street. During this visit, Karina Tsaturova, the festival's director, explained  the goals and process of forming this international artistic event.