In this insightful interview, conductor Azim Karimov reflects on the power and responsibility of art in the midst of political upheaval. Speaking ahead of his performances of Glinka’s Ruslan and Lyudmila at the Staatsoper Hamburg, he discusses his artistic journey in exile, the universal values within Glinka’s opera, and his belief in art’s ability to transcend conflict.
“Perhaps I am naive,” he says, “but I still believe in humanity — and I believe that art exists to build bridges between people, not walls.”
Karimov also shares his admiration for Glinka’s creative freedom —
“If we apply Schiller’s theory of naive and sentimental art to music, Glinka’s score is the perfect example of naive art — where one trusts the simplicity of the notes, the sincerity of the melodies, and the truth of the emotions they awaken.”
Read the full interview here → https://www.die-hamburgische-staatsoper.de/de/artikel/ruslan-und-ljudmila/interview-naive-kunst-in-schwierigen-zeiten
Azim Karimov
Conductor
