On 13 November 2007 at the Lipetsk Regional Picture Gallery an exhibition was opened which continues the tradition of acquainting Russian citizens with masterpieces from the State Hermitage Museum.

"It is a pleasure for the State Hermitage Museum to organize another exhibition in Lipetsk," wrote Mikhail Piotrovsky, Director of the State Hermitage Museum in the foreword to the catalogue, "The exhibition in 2004-2005, as we were convinced, was not simply a success but to a large extent enabled the development of museum activity in this wonderful city. The restored halls of the museum have given us the opportunity to receive a large number of new exhibitions. Making use of the State Hermitage Museum's experience with computerization and work with children in addition to our lecturing experience, we have been able to raise the popularity and effectiveness of our colleagues in Lipetsk. In particular, we would like to note that the events held in memory of Pyotr Semenov-Tyan-Shansky, whose name is dear to both the State Hermitage Museum and the Lipetsk Museum. We similarly value the attention which the regional government pays to culture in general and to museums in particular. It is an excellent example for many other regions in Russia.

"And now the State Hermitage Museum is again in Lipetsk with an exhibition Images of Italy. Such a name was given in honour of the leading Russian art historian Pavel Muratov, the author of a well known book of the same name. The exhibition's theme was not chosen by accident. Lipetsk today is one of the links between Italy and Russia. Stable economic ties are improved by cultural and personal links, and therefore we considered it appropriate and timely to display such an exhibition on Italian painting, unified with reminiscences about Italy. The reminiscences about Italy, her role as the preserver of European culture has played an important part in the renewal of culture throughout Europe, including Russia. At the exhibition paintings of famous European masters depicting Italy will be displayed including Claude Lorrain, Luca Carlevaris, Claude Joseph Vernet, Hubert Robert, Giovanni Paolo Panini and Jacob Philipp Hackert. An important part of the exhibition consists of paintings by Italian artists of the 19th century, many of which are being displayed for the first time. The paintings provide a good backdrop for several beautiful sculptures.

"Together it makes for a magically, unique journey through Italy, an image which is preserved and continually made by the State Hermitage Museum."

For the exhibition Images of Italy two concerts will be performed by the Orchestrino Armonia ensemble, which will include the music of Tchaikovsky (Jester's Dance from the music to The Snow Maiden, a play by Ostrovsky, Russian Dance from the ballet Swan Lake), Mussorgsky (Dawn on the Moscow River from the opera Khovanshchina), Dmitriev (the overture to the Lefty operetta), Theodorakis (the overture to the opera The Angels' Quarter), Gershwin (Promenade) and other composers. Soloists Anna Markarova (mezzo-soprano), Larisa Yudina (soprano) and Dmitry Voropaev (tenor) from the Mariinsky Theatre's Academy of Young Singers are participating in the concerts.

The concerts were held with the surrport of JT International (JTI) - a long term partner of the State Hermitage Museum for undertaking cultural projects in Russia.

More

The exhibition catalogue