«ROAD TO YALTA» 2023 — HOW IT WAS


WHERE AND WHEN


Semi-final

April 29, 2023, 17:00, Moscow,
State Kremlin Palace, small hall

Final

May, 2, 2023, 19:00, Moscow,
State Kremlin Palace, big stage

Artists


Competition winners 2023


Laurentius Raymond Pardamean Indonesia
Laurentius Raymond Pardamean
Laurentius Raymond Pardamean Indonesia

Laurentius Raymond Junior Pardamean represents Indonesia. He was born in Jakarta, received his first musical education in Bali. Professional singer, teacher, and arranger of choral music. After graduating from the Paris Conservatoire, he participated in national and international festivals. From 2004 till 2006 he was a soloist and conductor of the National Choir of the University of Indonesia. He plays the saxophone, guitar, and several traditional Indonesian instruments. His repertoire includes songs in Indonesian, Batak, Javanese, English, Italian, French and Russian. He prefers classical, jazz, blues, and pop genres. He believes that music is the language of the world, which helps everyone to be humane and connects all the peoples of the world.

Tino Eisbrenner Germany
Tino Eisbrenner
Tino Eisbrenner Germany

Tino Eisbrenner was born in Berlin. He spent part of his childhood in Bulgaria, where he got familiar with the Slavic culture. His career as a singer, lyricist and composer began in 1980. He has toured in many countries of the world since. Today, Tino feels equally well in chanson, jazz, ethnic music, rock, and pop. He is also an actor and author of several books. For many years he has been translating and performing songs of Russian bards and rock musicians into German. Tino Eisbrenner developed the concept of the music festival «Make music not war». He publicly advocates for peace and for Russia. Nowadays it is a very difficult mission for a German artist, but Eisbrenner says: «My heart tells me this way, and there are more and more viewers in Germany who respect me and are grateful for it».

Zayat Battsengel Mongolia
Zayat Battsengel
Zayat Battsengel Mongolia

Zayat Battsengel is in his fourth year as an opera student at the faculty of Classic Art in the National University of Culture and Art. His father is a teacher, and his mother is an opera singer. The grandfather studied medicine in Leningrad in 1950s. His grandmother was also a teacher. Zayat thinks that the Russians are kind, warm and generous people like his grandfather and grandmother. He liked to sing since his childhood years. He had a dream to become an internationallyfamous opera singer. In 2022 Zayat performed Aleco’s part in «Aleco» opera by Sergey Rakhmaninov. He also participated in «Orpheus» singer competition named after the famous Soviet crooner Muslim Magomaev.

Yvonne P. Sauramba Zimbabwe
Yvonne P. Sauramba
Yvonne P. Sauramba Zimbabwe

Yvonne P. Sauramba grew up in a «musical home» and has been passionate about music from a young age. Her brother and sister used to be in a band, her sister as a bassist and drummer whilst her brother was an acoustic guitarist and lead singer, so she would sing with them. Yvonne’s first performance in front of a large group of people was at a children’s service at church. Since then she’s been singing mostly at school and church events. Yvonne has written an own song and done a couple of collaborations with another local artist. She is also passionate about performing arts. Yvonne took up acting in local productions, wrote and directed a couple of short dramas. She loves camping, doing community service with other young people and team-building activities. One of her dreams is to express herself through voice and put her country on the world’s arts-industry map.

People's Choice Award
Cassandra De Rosa Italy
Cassandra De Rosa
Cassandra De Rosa Italy

Cassandra De Rosa is a bright performer representing Italy. She was born in Florence. Cassandra De Rosa has been practicing vocals since youth. She took part in many musical television projects in Italy. After she reached the finals in one of them, she began her solo career. Cassandra De Rosa loves jazz and pop music. She sings in English and Italian. Furthermore, she collaborates with famous Italian artists and often tours in Italy as well as abroad.

People's Choice Award
Simone Romano Italy
Simone Romano
Simone Romano Italy

A young 22-year-old Sicilian singer-songwriter. From an early age with a passion for singing, he studied at Paolo Li Rosi’s MeOSchool for 8 years. Recently he has undertaken the study of guitar and piano, giving life to his songs which are a mix between contemporary pop music and songwriting. He was the winner of the 2019 edition of the «Cantagiro» with his song «I miei quadri». Simone Romano participated in the national tour of the musical opera «Actor Dei», the official musical of Padre Pio. In 2022 he opened the concerts of Michele Zarrillo and Riccardo Fogli with the choir Oltre voci.

Special Prize
Hargun Kaur India
Hargun Kaur
Hargun Kaur India

Hargun was born in Amritsar City of Punjab, India. She is a versatile and a multilingual singer, songwriter, and vocal coach.
She is a finalist of many music TV shows like «India’s got talent», «The Voice» and others. Equally adept at different genres like Bollywood, rock, pop, and many other Indian styles. Of late, she has sung for an Indian movie directed by an acclaimed Bollywood director. She is continuously performing in concerts and events in different parts of India and abroad.
She has completed her Masters and M.Phil in Music from University of Mumbai. She has meritoriously qualified Grade 8 of Rock and Pop Vocals from Trinity College, London.

Special prize from the general sponsor
Zeliha Kendirci Turkey
Zeliha Kendirci
Zeliha Kendirci Turkey

Zeliha Kendirci is 18 years old. She graduated from Mimar Sinan Fine Arts High School Music Department. Zeliha studied music and acting throughout her childhood and education life. Her first professional music experience started at 16 when she advanced to the «O Ses Turkey» quarter-finals and then released a single. While continuing her acting trainings, Zeliha is preparing to share acoustic music videos with the orchestrated version of her compositions and songs.

Special Prize
Ioannis Kofopoulos Greece
Ioannis Kofopoulos
Ioannis Kofopoulos Greece

Ioannis Kofopoulos was born at Thessaloniki, Greece. He is an ethnic singer, musician, composer and performer. He had several music studies in Byzantine music, traditional Greek singing methods, percussion of the eastern Mediterranean, and opera and classical singing. He has performed as a singer and percussionist at many musical stages in Greece, Ukraine, Turkey, and Russia and collaborated with many renowned artists around the world.
Ioannis participated in numerous international music festivals. He is the Grand Prix winner of the International Ethnic Voice Contest «The golden Voice of Baikal». He can sing many different styles and perform in various languages such as Greek, Russian, Turkish, Portuguese, Italian, English, Mongolian, Armenian.

Special Prize
Lital Kricheli Israel
Lital Kricheli
Lital Kricheli Israel

Lital Kricheli is an Israeli singer specializing in R&B and jazz music. With over 15 years of experience, she performed on many stages in front of large audiences. She has released her original songs in which she took part in writing and composing. Lital has performed in different countries: Belgium, Austria, Kazakhstan, and more. She represented Israel in Russia’s «Morskoy Uzel» – 2019 contest, winning 2nd place and being «the best Jazz singer of the last four years».
Lital is a professional vocal trainer and choir conductor, working with students of all ages. Nowadays, Lital is on the last steps of recording her debut album.

Special Prize
Yao Ding China
Yao Ding
Yao Ding China

Yao Ding represents China. She comes from Henan Province. It is famous for its mountainous landscapes, delicious noodles and kung-fu. One more landmark is the Henan national opera. That is why bel canto and traditional singing are most popular among young vocalists from the province. She has had a passion for literature and music since childhood. Yao Ding took part in various competitions and concerts. She performs classics, pop, and traditional Chinese repertoire. However, Yao Ding has a special passion for opera. She is fascinated by the fact that classical European and traditional Chinese operas significantly differ from each other. She is also doing scientific research on the opera art of her native Henan province.

Participants of the contest 2023


Artur Garfankel USA
Artur Garfankel
Artur Garfankel USA

Artur Garfunkel is the son of Art Garfunkel, the man who wrote music history as solo artist and singer of the world-famous duo «Simon & Garfunkel». Born in New York, he spent most of his childhood and adolescence in the USA. His grandparents came from Russian-speaking territories, so he learned Russian at an early age and established a strong connection to Belarus and Russia. When a child and teenager, he frequently sang with his mother and accompanied his father on tours in more than 50 countries. Wisdoms like «Music expresses what cannot be said and what it is impossible to remain silent» influenced Artur Garfunkel’s way of interpreting music as a link between people, nations, or cultures. His life motto is: «Pay attention to your thoughts – they are the beginning of your deeds».

Daniel Emocion France
Daniel Emocion
Daniel Emocion France

Daniel Emocion was born and raised in France. His passion for theoretical physics led him to a scientific and tutoring university career. At the same time, driven by his humanist convictions, Daniel joined the state fire service with the desire to make himself useful. A professional vocal training gave him the opportunity to become an artist passionate about the great French cultural heritage, defending the moral and humanitarian principles, based on the respect and peace indispensable to all civilizations. Daniel is also a keen professional dancer, choreographer, and director. The love of Russia instilled by his mother in early childhood motivated him to discover this fascinating country linked to France by a sincere, deep, and eternal friendship.

Milica Dosković Serbia
Milica Dosković
Milica Dosković Serbia

Milica Dosković is prominent Serbian artist, known by her extraordinary energy on stage and expressed emotion in her voice. She is a member of the opera choir of the Serbian National Theater in Novi Sad, vocal soloist, and composer of spiritual and patriotic songs. Her most frequent performances are at large state manifestations, academies, festivals throughout her native Serbia and abroad, at the so called «diaspora» places where people from Serbia live. She is the winner of numerous recognitions and awards. Milica Dosković is also the organizer of many cultural manifestations and academies and leads three choirs at the temple of «Saint Michael the Archangel» in her native town of Zrenjanin.

Dragan Kosović Serbia
Dragan Kosović
Dragan Kosović Serbia

Dragan represents Serbia. He s been in music and singing since his childhood years. Because performance was his passion, he always wanted to become a star. Dragan is a participant and winner of many contests and music festivals. At present he studies vocals. He takes an active part in the projects to promote Russian culture in Serbia through songs and acting.
Besides music, he is passionate about movies and TV series. Dragan enjoys watching romantic films and comedies. He says that there’s never too much love and laughter in this life.

Imad Eddin Madadi Algeria
Imad Eddin Madadi
Imad Eddin Madadi Algeria

Imad Eddin Madadi felt passion for music from a young age. Trained as a doctor, he discovered his talent for classical singing as he joined the Regional Institute of musical training in Algiers where he forged his skills thanks to his Russian teachers who inspired his love for Russian music and culture. He started a professional musical career in 2016 in different choirs such as the National Radio Choir and the Choir of the Opera of Algiers. He then pursued a solo career and performed at various local events and concerts. 

Imad is also a skilled photographer and video maker, his works have been widely praised for creativity and originality. Equally committed to both medicine and music, he hopes to continue sharing his love for music with the world while also making a positive impact in the medical field.

Johnny Moonlight Hungary
Johnny Moonlight
Johnny Moonlight Hungary

Johnny Moonlight calls himself the Ambassador of romance. He is a singer and a songwriter. He was born in Hungary where he lives and performs nowadays, however he travelled around the world for many years. 

Music became his life when he was a teenager. Recently, he began to discover and enjoy the greatest romantic dance hits of the 50s, 60s and 70s. He works on shows based on songs of the greatest Hungarian and international performers. 

Johnny also works on his own albums. Mainly he performs as a solo artist but he is also the frontman in other bands as well. Johnny says he likes new challenges, especially if it is a well-organized event such as The Road to Yalta Festival. This gives him a chance to improve, explore and make new friends. His motto is: present the best for the best.

Songs of the festival 2023


The Cranes

Music: Y.Frenkel. Lyrics: R.Gamzatov (russian translation by N.Grebnev)
Performed by Mark Bernes.
Watch on youtube.com

Oh, the Roadways

Music: V.Novikov, lyrics_ L.Oshanin
Performed by the A.V. Alexandrov Ensemble, Alexey Martynov sings.
Watch on youtube.com

Belarus is Light of My Youthful Days

Music: A.Pakhmutova. Lyrics: N.Dobronravov
Performed by VIA Pesnyary.
Watch on youtube.com

A song of the Frontline Driver

Music: B.Mokrousov. Lyrics: N.Labkovskiy and B.Laskin
Performed by Mark Bernes.
Watch on youtube.com

A song of hte War Reporters

Music: M.Blanter. Lyrics: K.Simonov
Performed by Leonid Utyosov.
Watch on youtube.com

Tanks Ratteled on the Field of Battle

Music: G.Portnov. Lyrics: V.Suslov
Performed by the Kuban Cossack Choir.
Watch on youtube.com

Who is it Strolling Down the Hillside

Music: B.Terentyev. Lyrics: folk
Performed by Valentina Tolkunova.
Watch on youtube.com

Three Tank Crewmen

Music: Dm. & Dan. Pokrass. Lyrics: B.Laskin
As originally performed in the movie «Tractor Drivers» by Nikolai Kryuchkov.
Watch on youtube.com

The Moscovites

Music: A.Eshpai. Lyrics: E.Vinokurov
Performed by Mark Bernes, accompanied by Andrey Eshpay.
Watch on youtube.com

Soldiers, March!

Music: V.Solovyev-Sedoy. Lyrics: M.Dudin
As originally performed in the movie «Maxim Perepelitsa».
Watch on youtube.com

He Never Came Back from the Battle

Music and lyrics: V.Vysotskiy
Performed by author.
Watch on youtube.com

Let's Bow to the Great Years

Music: A.Pakhmutova. Lyrics: M.Lvov
Performed by Josef Kobzon.
Watch on youtube.com

Cossacks in Berlin

Music: Dm. & Dan. Pokrass. Lyrics: C.Solodar
Performed by the Cossack Choir of Pyotr Matrenichev.
Watch on youtube.com

Our Sky

Music: V.Matetskiy. Lyrics: A.Lukyanov
As originally performed in the movie «Fighters» by Alexander Marshal.
Watch on youtube.com

Let's Have a Smoke!

Music: M.Tabachnikov. Lyrics: I.Frenkel
As originally performed in the movie «Liberation» by Maxim Leonidov.
Watch on youtube.com

Competition jury 2023


Lev Leshchenko
Lev Leshchenko

Singer, People’s Artist of the RSFSR
Chairman of the jury

Michael Shvidkoy
Michael Shvidkoy

Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for International Cultural Cooperation

Michael Kovalchuk
Michael Kovalchuk

President of the National Research Center «Kurchatov Institute»

Denis Maidanov
Denis Maidanov

First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Culture,
Honored Artist of the RF

Vadim Volchenko
Vadim Volchenko

Minister of Resorts and Tourism
of the Republic of Crimea

Zara
Zara

Singer,
Honored Artist of the RF

Kai Metov
Kai Metov

Singer, composer,
Honored Artist of the RF

Luka Minnelli
Luka Minnelli

italian singer

Thomas Grazioso
Thomas Grazioso

italian singer,
winner of the festival "Road to Yalta" 2020

FESTIVAL DIARY


INFORMATION PARTNERS


Reviews of the festival 2023


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