By: Azad Karimi

I can only try to share my feelings through the music. I perform on stage, remind people that in addition to the routine in this world there is something else beautiful, and created by higher powers by the pen of great composers.

 

Interview

Alim Monteviani Apshev, Circassian-Russian Opera singer

By Azad Karimi

 

Alim come from Circissia area.The name Circassia is a Latinisation of Cherkess (modern Turkish: Çerkes), the Turkic name for the Adyghe people and according to R. G. Latham originated in the 15th century with medieval Genoese merchants and travellers to Circassia.[2][3] Another opinion is that "Circassia" and "Cherkess" are distorted variants of Kerketh or Toreatae, one of the names of the tribes of the Adyghe people. The name Cherkess is traditionally applied to the Adyghe by neighbouring Turkic peoples (principally Crimean Tatars[4] and Turkish people).Wikipedia

Yes, Alim is a Circass musician and I wish him the best. He is young and should more try to progress and employ his artistic activities.

 

Azad Karimi

Vestland-Norway


1- Please present yourself (Name, education, Civil status and...)
My name is Alim Apsha (artistic name Monteviani). I was born and raised in Nalchik in 1987. Nalchik is the capital of Kabardino-Balkarian republic (one of the Caucasian republics of Russia). I am Circassian by nationality. I’m single.

 

2-What is your artistic specialize?
I’m an opera singer.

 

3- When and how did you become interested in this field of art?
It happened unexpectedly. In 2008 I was on a plane to New York. During the flight I had a choice to watch the film “I am Legend” starring Will Smith or to listen to Luciano Pavarotti. At that time I knew not much about Pavarotti and about opera in general. I chose Pavarotti. I think this is what changed my life.

 

4- Who was your motivator?
I can’t name one person who was my motivator. The more I became interested in this art, the more motivation I had. The music motivated me. The greatest creations of the great composers motivated me not only to become a part of this Art but to live. I have got a new sense of meaning and new colors in my life.

 

5- What was your parent’s reaction?
At that time I didn't believe in myself. I thought it was too late to start singing. I was 21 years old and I have already almost graduated the university by that time. For three years I was hiding my desire to become a singer. In 2011 an event occurred after which my desire to sing become irresistible. It was the magic of numbers. 11.11.11 (November 11, 2011) The famous mezzo-soprano Elena Obraztsova gave a concert in Nalchik that day. She was no longer young. She was 72. And it seemed that the peak of her success had long passed. But it didn't matter to me. The next day I started looking for a vocal teacher. My parents were shocked. That was a quite difficult decision because it was a very big risk especially for a 24 years old man in our region with our mentality. Our society doesn’t think that Caucasian man should sing. Do not forget also about the influence of the Muslim religion. The religion does not welcome music. But I tried and I think I made the right decision.

 

6- When started you such as a professional artist-musician?
After several months of private lessons with a teacher, I successfully passed the entrance exams at the Institute of Arts in Nalchik. After three years of study in Nalchik, I transferred to the Nizhny Novgorod State Conservatory which finished with honors in 2018. In the same year I got a job at a musical theater in my hometown of Nalchik. In 2019 I had several concerts in Europe (Italy, Monaco, and France). In July 2019, I took part in a project New Opera World in Moscow in which I played the role Ibn Hakia from P. Tchaikovsky’s opera “Iolanta” at the chamber stage of the Bolshoi Theater.

 

  1. Are you thankful and happy because of your activities as a musician?
    I’m very happy to be a part of such great art form like opera. I am at the beginning of my career and I hope that it will develop despite the problems with the pandemic. I thank the God for giving me the opportunity to sing.

 

  1. How you see the view: Music, Orchestration, art and culture?

Music heals souls, gives us spiritual development, and teaches us compassion. We seem to be getting more humane through music.

 

  1. Can you become one part of the cultural movement for motivation in youth or new generation in your country and so than?

 I hope so. I see it as my mission in the future, and maybe in the present. I see how young singers, students of the Institute of Arts need my experience and my knowledge and I try to help them.

 

  1. How can you help our world become a better place to live?
    I can only try to share my feelings through the music I perform on stage, remind people that in addition to the routine in this world there is something else beautiful, and created by higher powers by the pen of great composers.

 

11- Have you more word to say or suggest for our readers?

I can suggest for the readers not to forget about kindness, compassion, humanity. Music will help with this. Visit theatres as often as possible. And some words to young musicians: believe in yourself and never give up.