The soloist of the Pomorskaya  Philarmony, an Honored artist of Russia, the Laureate of  Russian Vocalist Competition, the Laureate of the International Competition of Isabella Yurieva,
the Laureate of the premium “For the achievement in the Musical Art area” of the Archangelsk region Administration, Igor Perfiliev is celebrating his 25th anniversary of the stage creative activity.
Many years ago the future Archangelsk star was impressed by two things: the Northern Dvina and the welcome of colleges. First, the river was colored with color and the second – the artists of the archangelsk Philarmony suddenly applauded after his performance. That was it. Igor Perfiliev suddenly realized that he is staying…
-Twenty five years is it a lot or not?
- Personally for me it is a passing date. What’s the difference if it is 20 or 30 years?  Once one of my teachers in the Conservatory was celebrating his 60th anniversary of the stage creative activity and he was eighty at that moment. He was also asked about if it was a lot and he responded that he did not notice all those years…

-Where did you work before you came to Archangelsk?
- Once at the evening time I sat down and went through all the recordings about the places I worked in before. And I realized that every new place was kind of a new stage in my repertoire, some kind of new music interpretation. For example, when I served in the Dance and Song ensemble of the Pacific Navy, I was really enjoying performing patriotic songs – about the army and the navy. While I was studying at the Saratov  Conservatory, I was singing in the Cathedral. Obviously, I really enjoyed repertoire which the main direction and I was even suggested to stay and become a deacon. Then I worked in Saratov Opera and Ballet Theater where I was given the main roles right away and in all those places I was told the all of those things were mine to do.

- How did you get to Philharmonic? Many of the artists are dreaming of performing in theaters getting the main roles.
- I think I got sick of the theater. I imagine theater as a machine where the artist  is just a small screw- a detail. The director would show you to turn left or right. If you are not on stage that evening there is a curtain candidate that can change you and I understood theater was not my dream.

- What is the point of working in Philharmonic?
- I have a possibility to make my own decisions and the concert gives more stage experience and
and finally, personal development.
- Were you invited to work to other Philharmonics?
- Yes. I was.
- And you‘ve stayed ?
- As you can see. I’ve spent here more then a half of my career and I consider this half to be the best. Archangelsk has got a unique Church, our small Concert hall. This is just an acoustic laboratory. After you keep up your voice here you have no problem in working in other concert halls during your tours. You don’t have to adjust and concentrate for a long time. Anyway, the vocalists are needed everywhere now that was the reason I think I was invited.
-Is it comfortable for you to work here?
-I would not say that the artists get all the necessary conditions here.Stage dresses is our own problem  (while in theater you get everything ready when you come in), but the atmosphere in the collective is very benevolent. The same as in Archangelsk. Right now I’m preparing me benefit. I turned for the help of the famous people of our town and the responded. I am happy and grateful for their help. I don’t think it happens very often in other cities. Otherwise, the artists themselves do things costing more then money.
-Are you an easy person to work with?
-I think it’s both. Sometimes people get mad at me, for example when I demand the certain rhythm from my accompanist, the height of pitch. One can not just sit down and play for me here. I am very stubborn in my work. (Most of the time Igor Perfiliev is accompanied by his wife, an artist of Pomorskaya  Philarmonic Olga Goldobina).
- What kind of public do you prefer to see on your concerts?
- Any kind, I don’t feel the difference between working for several or hundreds of people, if it were children or sophisticated public.I have to work professionally eeven for five people, if they want to see and listen to you, and it doesn’t matter what you feel inside. Once I was impressed by the singer Natalia Korrell, who had some serious personal problem but she performed really brightly and was kept on stage by the public for a long time. This is an example of the real artist.
- Can you say why do you go on stage?
- Yes, I have a certain answer here for myself. I don’t go on stage for my nice and talented persona, I am just a middleman between the composer and the viewer. Or between the music and the viewer. This gift is from God, nothing from me.
- Do you sing at home?
- No, I don’t. My mom feels sorry about it for I used to sing more often when I came home. But now when I come to visit her I just keep silent and lie on the floor, getting the strength from the native land.
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The owner of the wonderful baritone and the favorite singer of the Archangelsk public Igor Perfiliev was noticed to draw and write poems well. All of this you will have an opportunity to see on his benefit concert in November. The artist himself says that he has two hobbies outside his profession: he likes to cook and sew ties. When the food is ready he sees the certain color of it and he gives out his best hand made ties to his friends as a present. He also has a  Persian cat named Mysha.

Elena IRHA.