Moscow's “Opera Art Center”, run by internationally renowned singer Galina Vishnevskaya, is now touring in Azerbaijan’s  capital Baku. The diva herself couldn't accompany her students, but they had no problem successfully presenting one o

Baku means “The City of Winds” in Persian. But students of the Galina Vishnevskaya’s Opera Art Center are not afraid to catch  cold here, they’re willing to take the risk. Meanwhile the management of the National Opera and Ballet Theatre have brought together the city's best musicians.

Tchaikovsky's “Iolanta” is considered to be one of the most sophisticated operas to perform. Besides, it has never been staged here before, so it took local musicians many hours to rehearse.

Another problem is the lighting. The theater is a century old and it doesn't meet modern standards. But the singers say the acoustics are perfect, which is most important.

“I am very impressed by the voices,” confesses David Sametov, student of Baku's Music Academy. “It's evident they're professional singers”.

David Sametov and two other students of the city's Music Academy will soon come to Moscow on Galina Vishnevskaya’s invitation. So, after master classes at the Opera Art Center he has a chance to become another opera star admired by younger students.