We have invited for an interview G.Ariunbaatar, First Prize winner at the International Tchaikovsky Competition, dubbed as the Olympics of the Classic Arts, State Honored Artist of Mongolia and Russian Federation.
Most of the professionals in opera can easily identify the singer of having discipled through which schooling system. When it comes to G.Ariunbaatar one would get confused a lot as the singer is not conveying definite Russian or Italian schooling, but having some very specific schooling. This might be the signal of Mongolian schooling coming up at the global level.
-First of all congratulations on your First Prize at the International Tchaikovsky Competition. It has been some time ever since.
-I am satisfied with the this prize, as singers haven't been awarded with First Prize since 1975. Therefore, everyone would have anticipated that first prize would go to a musician or a composition.
But then the world leading maestro and conductor Valery Gergiev announced: "Musicians this year were exceptional. Mongolia." I was very surprised and thought why he would say Mongolia. Then everyone around me started to congratulate me and say "Bravo". At first I couldn't believe, I wanted to pinch myself. The competition held in Mariinka-2 theater with 2500 seats.
-Have you prepared long before the competition?
-I have had a plan to compete. In 2012 I won the first prize at Glinka Competition. SInce that time I have been thinking of participating in 2015 Tchaikovsky competition, which is held only once in four years and attracts many talents from all over the world. 670 competitors from 39 countries participated.
-I guess singers and musicians put as much effort as the athletes preparing for the Olympics?
-People tend to mistakenly think that athletes put a lot of effort and sweat into their success and singers would just need the talent. On the contrary singers and musicians train for an extended periods of time and put no less effort as well. I could say that I have been preparing for this competition since 2011.
The competition lasts for the whole month, which drains a lot of nerves, effort, sweat and psychological training. My mentors were very supportive during the traning and competition. I have taken part in the competition with my mentor Darima Linkhovoin, People's Honored Artist of Russian Federation. She is an exceptional pianist and we have been preparing together for the past year.
-You have contract with the theater in Byuriatia. How long are you planning on working there?
-I have been doing my preparations in Ulan-Ude. I am planning on training there as well. It offers good environment for the young people like me.
Byuriatia Theater has offered me a lot of possibilities for the preparation for the Tchaikovsky competition. I have been working there since last October. First of all I would like to develop myself, second I wanted to experience all the hardships and good sides of being an opera singer. My current theater offers great deal of everything.
Since the transit got visa-free I have more possibilities to come and go during my work. It has become very convenient.
On September 24th I will have my solo concert at Kremlin in Moscow. This is one of the rare opportunities for a Mongolian singer.
-About the offers coming from the world famous stages?
-There are few I got. I will decide according to my plans. Next projects are already in discussions. On September 24th I will have my solo concert at Kremlin in Moscow. This is one of the rare opportunities for a Mongolian singer.
Prominent opera singers Urtnasan and Purevdorj were the only Mongolians to have an honour to perform at Kremlin, but I have never heard of anyone from Mongolia to conduct a solo concert there. This offer was received after the success at the last competition. There are few more offers as well, but it might be appropriate to talk on them after everything will be clear.
-Russian media was full of comments on President V.Putin being present at the finals and being impressed by your performance?
-Russia is one of those countries that puts arts and sports in the first place. They have the policy to support those sectors and have their results. Sochi Olympics opening was done by Anna Netrebko, famous opera singer.
First of all salary of musicians and singers performing in classic arts are very competitive and therefore it becomes grounds for better performance and they are very proud to be part of this classic art. Therefore, President of Russian Federation was present at the competition. State officials are constant at those competitions.
The competition is 100 percent funded by the state and the only the prize is USD 100,000/ Many were praising the organization of the competition to be outstanding as this year was the 75th Anniversary of Tchaikovski.
-How do you know or feel that you are ready for the competition? How have you been assessing yourself before the competition?
-Personally I think that it takes a lot of effort for anyone, whether one is artist, athlete or journalist. It takes what it takes to succeed and no success is reached with ease.
I have gone through enormous training. Aside from singing I have been doing physical training, running and breath lessons. If one just sings, then one will be tired easily. Opera singer on average spends 2-5 hours on stage during the performance singing. It requires a lot of physical strength as well, besides having talent or excellent voice.
-Have you done solo concerts for Mongolian audience?
-In 2012 together with my mentor Jantsannorov we performed Classics of Mongolia concert. Then I have released my CD with Mongolian songs. I am not forgetting Mongolian audience. I try to balance.
In 2011 I have participated in Glinka Competition, in 2014 in Muslim Magomaev Competition in May of 2015 I competed in Baikal Competition and then in International Tchaikovsky Competition. It was very busy period, but I am happy to represent Mongolia on a global stage.
For now I am planning on having good vacation in Mongolia. It was hard to compete in international competitions before as there was no support. But now thanks to those who like the classic art and their donations it is much easier.
-President of Mongolia tweeted that it would have been great if G.Ariunbaatar and E.Amartuvshin would perform at the Naadam Opening ceremony. You two did sing at the opening?
-Indeed. It was an honour to sing at such an event. Naadam is our national pride and our traditional festival.
-Why the opera has become your choice?
-I have graduated the University of Arts and Culture majoring in Opera singer. Also my parents and relatives all have talent in singing.
I have been ashamed to call myself an opera singer until recently. Because I have never worked in Opera Theater. I started to call myself as opera singer starting from April.
-Was this choice an accident or you wanted to become an opera singer?
-This was an accident. I applied to University of Arts and Culture to become singer, not the opera singer. At first, I had no proper idea of what is opera. In 1990-2000 classic art was in decline and we had no idea what classics are. But ever since my student life I have become drawn for this art.
-Is it possible to fall in love with classic art?
-You do indeed. Opera is very addictive. Once you sing for an opera, you want to sing for another. It is such a great feeling to feel that music and the energy of the composition.
-You have started your career from the Suld ensemble of the Police Authority. It is strange that you haven't been working in an opera theater?
-I joined Suld ensemble when I was student. Even now I go under Suld ensembel. I am a police captain. Police is one part of my life. I was approached by poet Gavaasuren to join the Suld Ensemble. I have very fond bond with police.
It has already been 6-7 years. Our authorities were saying to me to come back. I have y friends there who are Amartuvshin, Ankhbayar and Enkhtaivan, excellent singers as well. Also the salary is not that good as the police is funded from the state budget.
I trully think that peole with heart for the art are working there. It is very tough to be an opera singer. It requires a lot of energy and effort. It takes 3-4 months training and preparations to feature in an opera. I have been ashamed to call myself an opera singer until recently.
-Why is that?
-Because I have never worked in Opera Theater. I started to call myself as opera singer starting from April.
-After the First Prize at the International Tchaikovski Competition Government of Mongolia awarded you with monetary prize of MNT 80 milliion?
-Yes. I have received the prize from Prime Minister Ch.Saikhanbileg. It was one of the resolutions made by then Prime MInister Ts.Elbegdorj and it includes three categories of competitions. Personally, I think that the list of competitions should be extended.
There are many prestigous competitions in Europe. Probably the initiation should be started by the singers and artists first. MNT 80 million is not small at all. It will be directed for preparations for future competitions.
-You are under 30 and have already reached huge success. How about the success in private life?
-I am working hard and trying to do my best for my family as well. I hope the results won't let me wait for long.
-Do your parents live in country side?
-They live in Zuunmod. They travel a lot between Zuunmod and Ulaanbaatar. I am a son of a herder and I grew up on a horse back.
-Before the Naadam Festival Minister of Education, Culture and Science L.Gantumur sent an official letter of petition to award both you and E.Amartuvshin with Labour Order, to which many have had differing stances. Some were supportive and some were criticising as there is a lot of room for young people to grow and achieve. What are your thoughts on that matter?
-I have nothing to say, as this is not my will. I think the final decision is after the President.
-How do you spend your free time?
-Honestly saying there is not much of free time. I usually meet with my friends. I have spent two years busy working.
-Do you have plans of next competition?
-I have something in my mind.
-Thank you for your time and wishing you success.
We have invited for an interview G.Ariunbaatar, First Prize winner at the International Tchaikovsky Competition, dubbed as the Olympics of the Classic Arts, State Honored Artist of Mongolia and Russian Federation.
Most of the professionals in opera can easily identify the singer of having discipled through which schooling system. When it comes to G.Ariunbaatar one would get confused a lot as the singer is not conveying definite Russian or Italian schooling, but having some very specific schooling. This might be the signal of Mongolian schooling coming up at the global level.
-First of all congratulations on your First Prize at the International Tchaikovsky Competition. It has been some time ever since.
-I am satisfied with the this prize, as singers haven't been awarded with First Prize since 1975. Therefore, everyone would have anticipated that first prize would go to a musician or a composition.
But then the world leading maestro and conductor Valery Gergiev announced: "Musicians this year were exceptional. Mongolia." I was very surprised and thought why he would say Mongolia. Then everyone around me started to congratulate me and say "Bravo". At first I couldn't believe, I wanted to pinch myself. The competition held in Mariinka-2 theater with 2500 seats.
-Have you prepared long before the competition?
-I have had a plan to compete. In 2012 I won the first prize at Glinka Competition. SInce that time I have been thinking of participating in 2015 Tchaikovsky competition, which is held only once in four years and attracts many talents from all over the world. 670 competitors from 39 countries participated.
-I guess singers and musicians put as much effort as the athletes preparing for the Olympics?
-People tend to mistakenly think that athletes put a lot of effort and sweat into their success and singers would just need the talent. On the contrary singers and musicians train for an extended periods of time and put no less effort as well. I could say that I have been preparing for this competition since 2011.
The competition lasts for the whole month, which drains a lot of nerves, effort, sweat and psychological training. My mentors were very supportive during the traning and competition. I have taken part in the competition with my mentor Darima Linkhovoin, People's Honored Artist of Russian Federation. She is an exceptional pianist and we have been preparing together for the past year.
-You have contract with the theater in Byuriatia. How long are you planning on working there?
-I have been doing my preparations in Ulan-Ude. I am planning on training there as well. It offers good environment for the young people like me.
Byuriatia Theater has offered me a lot of possibilities for the preparation for the Tchaikovsky competition. I have been working there since last October. First of all I would like to develop myself, second I wanted to experience all the hardships and good sides of being an opera singer. My current theater offers great deal of everything.
Since the transit got visa-free I have more possibilities to come and go during my work. It has become very convenient.
On September 24th I will have my solo concert at Kremlin in Moscow. This is one of the rare opportunities for a Mongolian singer.
-About the offers coming from the world famous stages?
-There are few I got. I will decide according to my plans. Next projects are already in discussions. On September 24th I will have my solo concert at Kremlin in Moscow. This is one of the rare opportunities for a Mongolian singer.
Prominent opera singers Urtnasan and Purevdorj were the only Mongolians to have an honour to perform at Kremlin, but I have never heard of anyone from Mongolia to conduct a solo concert there. This offer was received after the success at the last competition. There are few more offers as well, but it might be appropriate to talk on them after everything will be clear.
-Russian media was full of comments on President V.Putin being present at the finals and being impressed by your performance?
-Russia is one of those countries that puts arts and sports in the first place. They have the policy to support those sectors and have their results. Sochi Olympics opening was done by Anna Netrebko, famous opera singer.
First of all salary of musicians and singers performing in classic arts are very competitive and therefore it becomes grounds for better performance and they are very proud to be part of this classic art. Therefore, President of Russian Federation was present at the competition. State officials are constant at those competitions.
The competition is 100 percent funded by the state and the only the prize is USD 100,000/ Many were praising the organization of the competition to be outstanding as this year was the 75th Anniversary of Tchaikovski.
-How do you know or feel that you are ready for the competition? How have you been assessing yourself before the competition?
-Personally I think that it takes a lot of effort for anyone, whether one is artist, athlete or journalist. It takes what it takes to succeed and no success is reached with ease.
I have gone through enormous training. Aside from singing I have been doing physical training, running and breath lessons. If one just sings, then one will be tired easily. Opera singer on average spends 2-5 hours on stage during the performance singing. It requires a lot of physical strength as well, besides having talent or excellent voice.
-Have you done solo concerts for Mongolian audience?
-In 2012 together with my mentor Jantsannorov we performed Classics of Mongolia concert. Then I have released my CD with Mongolian songs. I am not forgetting Mongolian audience. I try to balance.
In 2011 I have participated in Glinka Competition, in 2014 in Muslim Magomaev Competition in May of 2015 I competed in Baikal Competition and then in International Tchaikovsky Competition. It was very busy period, but I am happy to represent Mongolia on a global stage.
For now I am planning on having good vacation in Mongolia. It was hard to compete in international competitions before as there was no support. But now thanks to those who like the classic art and their donations it is much easier.
-President of Mongolia tweeted that it would have been great if G.Ariunbaatar and E.Amartuvshin would perform at the Naadam Opening ceremony. You two did sing at the opening?
-Indeed. It was an honour to sing at such an event. Naadam is our national pride and our traditional festival.
-Why the opera has become your choice?
-I have graduated the University of Arts and Culture majoring in Opera singer. Also my parents and relatives all have talent in singing.
I have been ashamed to call myself an opera singer until recently. Because I have never worked in Opera Theater. I started to call myself as opera singer starting from April.
-Was this choice an accident or you wanted to become an opera singer?
-This was an accident. I applied to University of Arts and Culture to become singer, not the opera singer. At first, I had no proper idea of what is opera. In 1990-2000 classic art was in decline and we had no idea what classics are. But ever since my student life I have become drawn for this art.
-Is it possible to fall in love with classic art?
-You do indeed. Opera is very addictive. Once you sing for an opera, you want to sing for another. It is such a great feeling to feel that music and the energy of the composition.
-You have started your career from the Suld ensemble of the Police Authority. It is strange that you haven't been working in an opera theater?
-I joined Suld ensemble when I was student. Even now I go under Suld ensembel. I am a police captain. Police is one part of my life. I was approached by poet Gavaasuren to join the Suld Ensemble. I have very fond bond with police.
It has already been 6-7 years. Our authorities were saying to me to come back. I have y friends there who are Amartuvshin, Ankhbayar and Enkhtaivan, excellent singers as well. Also the salary is not that good as the police is funded from the state budget.
I trully think that peole with heart for the art are working there. It is very tough to be an opera singer. It requires a lot of energy and effort. It takes 3-4 months training and preparations to feature in an opera. I have been ashamed to call myself an opera singer until recently.
-Why is that?
-Because I have never worked in Opera Theater. I started to call myself as opera singer starting from April.
-After the First Prize at the International Tchaikovski Competition Government of Mongolia awarded you with monetary prize of MNT 80 milliion?
-Yes. I have received the prize from Prime Minister Ch.Saikhanbileg. It was one of the resolutions made by then Prime MInister Ts.Elbegdorj and it includes three categories of competitions. Personally, I think that the list of competitions should be extended.
There are many prestigous competitions in Europe. Probably the initiation should be started by the singers and artists first. MNT 80 million is not small at all. It will be directed for preparations for future competitions.
-You are under 30 and have already reached huge success. How about the success in private life?
-I am working hard and trying to do my best for my family as well. I hope the results won't let me wait for long.
-Do your parents live in country side?
-They live in Zuunmod. They travel a lot between Zuunmod and Ulaanbaatar. I am a son of a herder and I grew up on a horse back.
-Before the Naadam Festival Minister of Education, Culture and Science L.Gantumur sent an official letter of petition to award both you and E.Amartuvshin with Labour Order, to which many have had differing stances. Some were supportive and some were criticising as there is a lot of room for young people to grow and achieve. What are your thoughts on that matter?
-I have nothing to say, as this is not my will. I think the final decision is after the President.
-How do you spend your free time?
-Honestly saying there is not much of free time. I usually meet with my friends. I have spent two years busy working.
-Do you have plans of next competition?
-I have something in my mind.
-Thank you for your time and wishing you success.