Moscow's Vakhtangov theatre prepares for 90th anniversary.

MOSCOW, September 12 (Itar-Tass) - The Moscow Academic Theatre named
after Yevgeny Vakhtangov opened its 90th season with a first night
performance on September 7. Stage Director Yuri Butusov and a young
generation of actors put on one of the most mysterious and complicated
plays by Shakespeare "Measure for Measure".
The Vakhtangov theatre will mark its 90th anniversary in 2011 by a new
play in which both the stars and recent graduates of theatrical schools
will take part.
Rimas Tuminas, the Vakhtangov Theatre's artistic director, told
Itar-Tass that the previous season was successful for the theatre and its
troupe. The most outstanding work is Anton Chekhov's "Uncle Vanya", which
always has sold-outs and continues winning numerous theatrical prizes.
Another play "The Masquerade" staged to a drama by 19th century Russian
poet Mikhail Lermontov of the same name is also popular with theatre fans
and the press. All tabloids note the theatre's rising popularity. In
recent years, the Vakhtangov troupe has been invited to give guest
performances in France, Greece, Italy, China, etc.
Rimas Tuminas is convinced that the theatre should be at its best
in the new season. Its 2011 repertoire will include Russian and foreign
classics, including "Le Vent des Peupliers" ("The Wind in the Poplars") by
French playwright Gerard Sibleyras. Maxim Sukhanov and Sergei Makovetsky
will play the leading parts.

.Int'l music festival 'Stars on Baikal' opens in Irkutsk.

IRKUTSK, September 12 (Itar-Tass) - The fifth international music
festival 'Stars on Baikal' in under way in Irkutsk, Western Siberia. Its
vast program of classical music will last until September 14, a source at
the festival's organizing committee told Itar-Tass.
The performers include world famous musicians such as conductor
Vladimir Spivakov, organist Garry Grodberg, violinists Vadim Repin and
Sergei Krylov, cellists Alexander Knyazev and Borislav Strulev, the piano
duet of Alexandra and Maxim Mogilevskiye as well as the Novosibirsk
Academic Symphony Orchestra, the Irkutsk gubernatorial symphony orchestra
and the orchestra of young musicians " The Baikal Constellation".
A charitable auction will be held on the festival's sidelines to
raise money to buy musical instruments and enable young talented musicians
to travel to prestigious music festivals and contests in Russia and abroad.
Pianist Denis Matsuyev, the honored artist of Russia and the
winner of international music contests, is one of the festival's
participants and organizers. Matsuyev was born in Irkutsk and made his
first steps in music in his hometown. At first, he went to a children's
art school and the local musical college from where he was sent to study
at the Central Music School of the Moscow Conservatoire. Last year, the
35-year-old musician was awarded the title of honorary citizen of Irkutsk.

. Zvonareva, Clijsters to meet in US Open tennis final.

NEW YORK, September 12 (Itar-Tass) - Vera Zvonareva, 36, of Russia
will fight for its first US Open Women's Single tennis title. Her rival
will be 27-year-old Belgian Kim Clijsters, the U.S. Open winner in 2005
and 2009. The U.S. Open Women's final will begin at 03:00 Moscow time on
Sunday.
For the 26-year-old Muscovite this is going to be the second Grand
Slam final in her career. Zvonareva made it into the semis at this year's
Wimbledon tournament back in July but lost to American Serena Williams.
World's number one Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark who lost to Zvonareva
in the semis believes that the Russian has good chances to win the entire
tournament.
According to Zvonareva, a combination of 'patience and aggressiveness'
helped her win the previous matches.
"I am confident in myself. I always believe in myself. I simply walk
out on the court and try to play my best till the very end," Zvonareva
went on to say. She believes that her good performance this year,
including in the Grand Slam series, is evidence of her professional growth.
"I continue improving my game:and I'll try to work harder," Zvonareva
emphasized.

. Russia wins silver and bronze at World Freestyle Wresting Champs.

MOSCOW, September 12 (Itar-Tass) - Khadzhimurad Gatsalov of Russia has
won the silver medal at the World Freestyle Wrestling Championships in
Moscow in the under 96 kilograms weight category. His rival in the final
meeting was Khetagu Gazymov of Azerbaijan 1- 0, 0-1, 0-1.
Gatsalov said that the Russian national team was already training for
the 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
'Preparations for the Olympics in the Russian national team have
always been top-level. Of course, the team's composition is not final.
There can be changes. But despite that everybody is training. I think that
our national team is the strongest and will occupy the top place in
London," Gatsalov went on to say.
Another Russian, Soslan Ktsoyev, a debutant of the World Freestyle
Wrestling Championships in Moscow, on Saturday won bronze in the under 84
kilograms weight category. In his duel for the third place, Ktsoyev beat
Pyotr Yanulov of Molodva 1-0, 8-3.
Competitions in the 66 kg, 74 kg and 120 kg categories will be held on
the championship's final day on Sunday. Alan Gogayev (66 kg), Denis
Tsargush (74 kg) and Bilyal Makhov (120 kg) will represent Russia.

-0-fil/