Bands of brothers striving toward glory, fighting a battle in which there can be only one champion. While this might sound like the high drama of the opera stage, it also describes one of sports’ biggest events: the FIFA World Cup! At the Gala Concert, the spectacular worlds of opera and football come together for a musical evening featuring some of the biggest stars of the international stage!

Russia is hosting the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and to open the exciting tournament they have pulled out all the stops. The great Russian pianist Denis Matsuev has brought together an impressive line-up of classical musicians for the event, including opera stars Plácido Domingo and Juan Diego Flórez (both reportedly big football fans!), Anna Netrebko, Yusif Eivazov, Ildar Abdrazakov, Aida Garifullina, and Albina Shagimuratova. At their sides Russian maestro Valery Gergiev leads the Mariinsky Orchestra, one of Russia’s most prestigious musical institutions. The concert continues the tradition of opening sporting events with performances from opera stars, as did Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, and Jose Carreras at the 1990 Italian World Cup (available here).

medici.tv thanks Channel 1 (Russia) for their support and collaboration.

Anna Netrebko appears courtesy of Deutsche Grammophon.

Ildar Abdrazakov appears courtesy of Deutsche Grammophon.

Plácido Domingo appears courtesy of Sony Classical.

Juan Diego Flórez appears courtesy of Sony Classical.

Aida Garifullina appears courtesy of Decca Classics.