The Bolshoi Opera company got really warm welcome at Hong Kong Arts Festival giving 3 performances of "The Tsar's Bride" opera.
Local reviewers mentioned evidently successful staging, artists' skills and great orchestra conducted by maestro Gennady Rozhdestvensky:
"Venera Gimadieva put in a superb performance as Marfa, the hapless victim of the ménage Г trois. She has a light and airy voice that nevertheless packs a great deal of punch when needed. Her soft and controlled delivery of the farewell aria made it a real tear-jerker." Alan Yu, "Bachtrack"
"The cast give a superb ensemble performance, with magnificent singing matched by convincing acting… Rozhdestvensky and the splendid Bolshoi Orchestra bring out the score's distinctly Russian flavour and the characteristic rich colours of the orchestration." South China Morning Post
The unique scenery hasn't been disregarded as well: "The solid set and layers of thick costumes give this feeling of gravity a special flavour. The outsize hall in which Gryaznoy entertains his guests looks rock solid with thick and sturdy logs, the trees reach high into the sky outside Sobakin's house, and the pillars at the palace are ornate with detailed filigree." Bachtrack