Two Ukrainian basses, Szkafarowsky and Kulish, perform in Montreal (05/20/01)

Two Ukrainian basses, Szkafarowsky and Kulish, perform in Montreal

by Olga Rudyk

MONTREAL - Two Ukrainian bass opera singers have major roles in Guiseppe Verdi's famed opera "Aida" at Salle Wilfred-Pelletier Place des Arts in Montreal. Stefan Szkafarowsky, a native of New York, is performing the major part of Ramfis, High Priest and Taras Kulish, native of Montreal, will sing the part of the King of Egypt. Filled with pageantry, ballet and dramatic situations, "Aida" was Verdi's most ambitious work. The action takes place in Memphis and Thebes during the reign of the Pharaohs.

Mr. Szkafarowsky is no stranger to Canadian opera audiences. Past performances have included such prominent roles as the Grand Inquisitor in "Don Carlos," Ferrando in "Il Trovatore," and Prince Gremin in "Eugene Onegin" with L'Opera de Montreal, Daland in "The Flying Dutchman" at the Vancouver Opera, Beethoven 9th with the Vancouver Symphony and at the Festival Lanaudiere in Montreal as Pimen in "Boris Godunov." As an international artist, Mr. Szkafarowsky has traveled extensively throughout the United States, Carribean, South America and the Far East.

Upon return from Montreal, Mr. Szkafarowsky is contracted to sing the role of Crespel in "Tales of Hoffmann" with the Washington Opera during the fall season of 2001 and in February and March of 2002 at The Metropolitan Opera House, New York City in the production of "War and Peace" by Sergey Prokofiev.

Mr. Kulish is quickly making a name for himself having already sung in all the major opera houses of Canada. He completed his musical studies at McGill University and the University of Toronto. In the United States, Mr. Kulish has sung at many American summer festivals such as Ravinia's Steans Institute, the Aspen Music Festival and the Tanglewood Music Center. He has performed such roles as Leporello in "Don Giovanni," Nick Bottom in "A Midsummer Night's Dream," Figaro in "Le Nozze di Figaro" and Ferrando in "Il Trovatore."

In addition, Mr. Kulish has been busy performing with symphonies in Edmonton, Calgary, Montreal, Vancouver, Victoria and Minneapolis. Upcoming engagements include the title role in "Le Nozze di Figaro" with Vancouver Opera, Colline in "La Bohème" with Opera Saskatchewan and the Lyra Ottawa.

Messrs. Szkafarowsky and Kulish are sharing the stage in the opera "Aida" for the third time. Previously, they performed together at the Calgary Opera and also in Edmonton, where a large portion of the chorus is made up of Ukrainian singers. Scheduled performances of Aida in Montreal are May 26, 28 and 31 and June 2, 6 and 9. All performances begin at 8 p.m.

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