White Nights: The Passion of Piotr - Tchaikovsky and His Musical Universe

8 May 2026 | 17:30

Luxury Villa Sainte-Maxime, France

17:30 - Drinks reception

18:30 - Concert

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Song & Opera Gala

Join us for an immersive journey into the life, passions, and artistic world of Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and stay afterwards for a joyful gourmet reception.

Please note, you will be able to buy tickets for this concert on the door with 20% surcharge.

From the folkloric colours of Rimsky-Korsakov to the grandiose operatic world of Gounod, this programme traces Tchaikovsky’s life not only across Russia but into the wider European musical landscape. Along the way, we encounter his contemporaries, rivals, and kindred spirits: Brahms, Faure, Gounod, Rubinstein, with even the young Debussy and Rachmaninoff making cameo appearances. Tender and passionate Slavic Romances, profound Western European Art Songs and memorable Opera Arias, along with exquisite solo piano gems guide us through a pivotal epoch: the twilight of one era and the birth of another. As a special treat, the evening will conclude with a selection of classical gypsy romances* (циганские напевы), bringing the concert to a fiery and intoxicating close.

BOOK TICKETS

Book tickets in advance and save 20%

Tickets will be available on the door, but at a 20% higher price.

Réservez à l’avance et économisez 20%

Des billets seront disponibles sur place avec un supplément de 20%.

Please note: There is no parking at the villa. Parking is available at the bottom of the hill on Boulevard Beau Site

Event Programme

17:30

Drinks reception

18:30

Concert

20:15

After Concert Dinner (extra charge)

Meet the Artists

Pavel Timofeyevsky

Piano

Virtuoso pianist, composer for film and the concert stage, arranger and lecturer, Pavel Timofeyevsky has received numerous prizes and accolades, including the BBC/Guardian Young Composer of the Year award. Pavel has appeared at nearly all the major concert venues across the UK. Concert tours, along with television and radio appearances in other parts of the world include the USA, China, Canada, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Russia, Latvia, Greece, Cyprus and India.

Efim Zaválny

Baritone

Efim Zavalny is a Russian baritone, originally from Syktyvkar, now based in London. He gained international recognition as a soloist at the Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg and has since appeared with major opera companies and concert venues across Europe, the United States and Russia. Known for his rich timbre and commanding stage presence, his repertoire spans major operatic roles from Tchaikovsky to Verdi.

Martins Smaukstelis

Tenor

Martins Smaukstelis is a Latvian-born tenor who completed his Master of Arts degree at the Royal Academy of Music. He was the first prize winner in the latest Emmy Destinn Awards. Martins recently made significant debuts as Tamino in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte (Nevill Holt Festival), Rodolfo in Puccini’s La boheme (The Opera Makers) and Duke of Mantua in Verdi’s Rigoletto (New Opera Singapore). He has also sung with Glyndebourne, Garsington, Wexford and The Grange Festival operas among others.

Galina Averina

Soprano

Galina Averina studied at the Royal College of Music. She is a former member of the soloists’ ensemble at the Perm State Opera Theatre and has received numerous awards at international competitions, including the Audience Prize at the Francisco Viñas Competition. Recent engagements include her Opera North debut as Magda (La Rondine), Adina (L’elisir d’amore) for Wild Arts, Stratonica (La forza dell’Amor Paterno) at the Barber Institute and Pasiphaë in the world premiere of Raising Icarus with Birmingham Contemporary Music Group. Other recent roles include Mimì (La bohème), Phébé (Castor and Pollux) and Contessa Almaviva (Le nozze di Figaro).

Meriel Cunningham

mezzo-soprano

Meriel Cunningham is a British mezzo-soprano and singing actor based in London. Praised for her captivating stage presence, she is rapidly gaining recognition for both her vocal and dramatic ability, with critics commending her exceptional comedic timing and rich mezzo-soprano tone. Recent career highlights include a “standout” performance as Rosina in Charles Court Opera’s acclaimed production of The Barber of Seville and a nomination for Best Opera Performance at OffWestEnd’s 2024 Offie Awards. A graduate of The Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Meriel continues to study with John Evans.

Pauls Putnins

Bass-Baritone

Pauls has an international concert career and has sung with orchestras including the Philharmonia, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Israel, Moscow and Bucharest Philharmonics and Russian National Orchestra ranging in a wide repertoire including all Bach Passions, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, and Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.