The first theater award, Crystal Turandot, was established in the difficult nineties. Since then it has been awarded annually. This is one of the most prestigious theater awards in Russia.
About Prize
The first presentation of Crystal Turandot took place in 1991. Only capital projects and artists are awarded this prize.
The prize is awarded in seven categories. The directors, actors, debutants, productions, stage designers, who are recognized as the best at the end of the season, get it. There is also a special prize - “For Honor and Dignity”. It is received by people who have devoted many years to the service of theatrical art.
Presentation of Crystal Turandot is not just an award ceremony, it is a celebration for all who receive this award.
The award is named after the main character of the play, which is included in the repertoire of almost all drama theaters in Russia. The jury usually consists of artists, musicians, writers and other creative people who are not actors and directors.
Prize History
In 1991, Yulia Borisova , People's Artist of the USSR, became the first laureate of Crystal Turandot. Since 1992, the award ceremony began to take place in a theatrical form. From 1995 to 2007, the prize was held at the Kuskovo estate. For many years, the jury was Anatoly Prystavkin (writer), Andrei Makarevich (leader of the rock band Time Machine), Ekaterina Maksimova (ballet dancer), Pyotr Todorovsky (film director).
The authors of the first prize figurine are T. Sazhin (glass artist) and A. Tsigal (sculptor). In 2000, Crystal Turandot was updated. The modern figurine was invented by N. Volikov and T. Novikov.
In 2001, a new list was added to the list of nominations - “For Contribution to the Theater Art of Moscow”. Each year, awards are presented to the laureates by different actresses in the image of Princess Turandot. In this role were visited: Nonna Grishaeva, Maria Aronova, Olga Prokofieva, Lisa Boyarskaya and many others.
In 2003, the presentation of awards was postponed, as the organizers of Turandot had financial problems.
Since 2007, award ceremonies began to take place at the Tretyakov Gallery. In 2009, the prize was awarded at the Galina Vishnevskaya Opera Center. Then the theatrical performance was conducted by Viktor Dobronravov and Maria Aronova. The ceremony was dedicated to the memory of the famous ballerina Ekaterina Maximova. In 2010, the award ceremony took place at the New Opera Theater. And again, the unique M. Aronova appeared in the role of Princess Turandot, and Mikhail Policeitsimako became her co-host. Maria was the presenter of the award for five consecutive years.
The year 2011 was marked by the fact that the ceremony was held at the Vakhtangov Theater, and the awards were presented only in one single nomination - "Theater property". It was an anniversary ceremony. In the image of the Princess Olga Prokofieva appeared on the stage, and Daniil Spivakovsky became her partner . In the same year, the tradition of holding "Crystal Balls" in honor of the laureates was introduced.
In 2013, a new nomination was established - "Best Musical". Then a charity project was created aimed at supporting provincial theaters. For the fourth time, director Rimas Tuminas received an award.
Founder
Boris Petrovich Belenky is the founder of the Crystal Turandot Prize. He created his project in order to support actors in the difficult for them nineties and out of love for art. Boris Petrovich - director, producer and screenwriter, president of the Association “Muses of Freedom”.
For 25 years, B. Belenky has been a screenwriter and director of all Turandot awarding ceremonies annually. The prize is awarded only to the most worthy ministers of Melpomene. The winners are selected by a competent jury.
Since 2011, after the award ceremony in honor of the laureates, the Crystal Ball has been given. This is a cross between a creative evening and a performance. They pass at the Vakhtangov Theater.
Boris Petrovich is also actively involved in charity work. Thanks to him, actions are held for stage and circus veterans.
Laureates of past seasons
The owners of "Crystal Turandot" in different years became:
- Alla Demidova.
- The play "Marina".
- Julia Peresild.
- The production of "When I was Dying."
- Valentine Gaft.
- The play "The Story of the Seven Hanged Men."
- Peter Fomenko.
- The production "Utopia Coast".
- Oleg Tabakov.
- The play "Forest".
- Chulpan Khamatova.
- The production of "Jester Balakirev."
- Mark Rozovsky.
- The play "Royal Games".
- Nikolay Simonov.
- The production of "The Swedish match."
- Mikhail Derzhavin.
- The performance "Silence beyond the Rogozh outpost."
- Olga Prokofieva.
- The production of Walpurgis Night.
- Igor Kvasha.
- The play "The Little Humpbacked Horse".
- Vladimir Zeldin.
And many others.
In the nomination "Best Musical" the prize was awarded only once - in 2013. She went to the project of the Moscow operetta theater "Count Orlov".
2016 Laureates
In the current theatrical season of Crystal Turandot, the following directors, scenographers, actors and productions were awarded:
- Vasily Lanovoi.
- The play "Bald Cupid".
- Sergey Barkhin.
- Vladimir Simonov.
- Eugene Kregzhde.
- Mark Vershawer.
- Maxim Kerin.
- Evgeny Pisarev.