La Scala herself caressed his ears. famous opera singer Ildar Abrazakov has performed at La Scala, the Metropolitan Opera, the Paris National Opera and many other world venues. But I felt the most sincere love of the audience on the stage of the show «Mask»in the image Dragon. And his famous “Yeah!” became the hallmark of this character.
Last Sunday, Ildar Abdrazakov was named the winner of the show “Mask“. And now his name will be remembered even by those who were far from opera art.
In an interview with Teleprogramma.pro, the charming Dragon told how he hid the truth from his daughters, regulated his tour schedule and waited for the judges to expose him.
“When I took off the mask, the children squealed with delight”
Why Dragon?
I was offered several costumes to choose from. Among them was a Snail costume, and also a cool Frog in a hat and with eyes similar to the eyes of a fly agaric. But I chose the Dragon because I was born in his year. And I think that he brings me happiness in life: he has wings, fire, scope, flight and soul!
How did you feel inside such a big suit?
“When I first put it on, I realized that I couldn’t do anything. But there was no way back! I also thought that in a confined space panic would cover, but in reality there was nothing like that. But it was very hot. Then they modified my costume a little: they put fans inside my head, it became easier.
I did not see anything in the mask, the view was carried out only through the nostrils. Well, my neck hurt, because the Dragon’s head is heavy, and the whole suit weighs 50 kg. It is very difficult to move in it. Just imagine that you squeezed the ball between your legs, and in this you need to go – something like this feeling. When Monster and I fell on the stage, I thought: “Well, that’s it, I won’t get up.” As a result, he got up, but the suit tore.
– How did you hide your participation in the “Mask” from your relatives?
– Daughters recognized my voice, asked: “Dad, is that you?” And I didn’t want to deceive the children either, but I also couldn’t admit it. As a result, I told them: “Let’s listen again in the next program.” So we got to the final.
And today, when I took off The Mask, they squealed with delight. The kids were shocked! I haven’t seen my brother and mom since the final. But my mother does not watch The Mask – now I will show her all the issues. I have been singing with Anya Netrebko for almost 25 years, she recognized me right away. But I was stoically silent.
“Yeah!” sounds cooler and has to itself!
— What was the most difficult for you during your participation in the project?
– It was not easy to hide your participation from loved ones and at first to answer the questions of the jury. After all, it was necessary to say so, so as to answer, and not to betray oneself. It was not immediately possible to find this line, but then it went.
– How did your famous exclamation “Yeah!”
– By chance. I just once did not know what to answer the jury, and decided to shout: “Yeah!”. And then the sound engineer says to me: “Listen, this is cool.” And so it stuck. And the audience loved it. It was possible, of course, to shout “Nooo”, but, in my opinion, “Yeah” sounds cooler and makes you feel more comfortable.
– “Mask” somehow influenced your schedule?
I had to cancel several performances. He was constantly on the move, moving back and forth. He sang a performance in Zurich, then flew to Moscow, filmed, changed clothes and rushed back. In general, the logistics are still the same!
— Which of your songs do you remember the most?
– For me, as a performer, it was a discovery to sing “Roxanne”. As soon as I heard it, I immediately decided for myself that I would sing it in two voices.
– From whom did you expect exposure in the first place?
– From Valeria. I realized in the second season that she thoroughly does her homework. He listens attentively to various performers, studies their biographies. She also figured out Yusif Eyvazov in the Lama mask. She wrote to me about it, and I replied: “Yes, listen, tenors don’t sing like that.” But it turned out that it was him, I really did not recognize him.
– And which of the participants in the third season did you recognize?
– I assumed that Lesha Vorobyov was in the Monster. In general, he was my personal favorite – he joked brilliantly, danced, sang! There was a version that Evgeny Dyatlov was in Amanita. Natasha Podolskaya also recognized in the Octopus. But he didn’t recognize Roman Kostomarov, he didn’t know that he was singing.
Another of the participants noted Capricorn for himself – he showed himself very powerfully, and I am glad that Nikita Presnyakov took part in the project. Anubis – Masha Zaitseva – simply turned her soul inside out with her singing. And, of course, Alsou under the mask of a Bee was a huge discovery and surprise – it was phenomenal!
I want to say a big thank you to all the participants of the show and the project team, especially Timur Weinstein and Yulia Sumacheva. It was an unforgettable adventure, and I am very glad that I became a part of it!
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