TO PARAPHRASE Canadian poet and author Shane Koyczan, “Opera is the original marriage of words and music with a decided dramatic element”. Narrating a story through emotions evoked by music is what opera does best, and the Helikon Opera, which is scheduled for a September staging during Bangkok’s 18th International Festival of Dance and Music, excels in this area.

With a reputation of being innovative and known for putting magnificent soloists, artists and conductors on stage, the opera house certainly raises your expectations. In store for Bangkok is the two-act “Un Ballo In Maschera” on September 18, followed by the two-act “Carmen” on September 20. Both are electrifying productions, bringing together passion, music and drama.

The brainchild of Dimitry Bertman, Helikon Opera – founded in 1990 when he was only 23 – has challenged the traditional opera establishment with his take on the art form. He soon made a breakthrough and a host of prestigious awards followed, including nine Golden Masks and several Gvozd Sezona Awards (Russian Union of Theatre Workers).

Adding to this tale of excellence, its world-class 95-member symphonic orchestra and chorus is recognised as one of the best in the world. It was a finalist at the prestigious International Opera Awards in 2013. The orchestra is directed by the theatre’s chief conductor, maestro Vladimir Ponkin, a Golden Mask laureate and People’s Artist of Russia.

With the Helikon Opera’s destiny firmly in his hands, Dmitry Bertman, the general-director and artistic director, was honoured as a People’s Artist of Russia. He has won the Golden Mask three times, and also won the Russian Union of Theatre Workers Award GvozdSezona on three occasions. He has staged over 100 performances, including a number of Russian and world premieres.

As well, the opera theatre has several Honoured Artists of Russia and winners of international competitions and awards among its ensemble of soloists. The brilliant sets and costumes are by Igor Nezhny and Tatiana Tulubyeva, both Honoured Artists of Russia. The light designer is Damir Ismagilov is an Honoured Art Worker of Russia. And the choreographer, Edwald Smirnov, has won several international competitions.

As for the operas themselves, first up is Giuseppe Verdi’s two-act “Un Ballo In Maschera” (“The Masked Ball”), with a libretto by Antonio Somma. It premiered at the Teatro Apollo in Rome in 1859.

A love triangle, where love becomes a bargaining chip in a political power play, it is inspired by the assassination in 1792 of King Gustav III of Sweden at a masked ball. The similarities end there.

The fictionalised story of the opera is about the romance between a governor and the wife of his best friend and how conspirators plot to turn a faithful supporter into the enemy. Conspiracy, betrayal and forgiveness are all grist for this emotional opera.

On September 20, be prepared for the passion of Georges Bizet’s “Carmen”. Also a two-act opera, “Carmen” has been one of the most popular performances of Helikon Opera and has travelled the world, playing in all the leading opera houses of the world – Paris, Rome, Berlin and New York – and festivals in France and Spain.

In 1996 it was awarded the prestigious Golden Mask, in two categories: “Best director in musical theatre” and “Best Actress”. Vibrant and edgy it is set in present-day Seville where the cigarette girls have been transformed into prostitutes, the gypsies into street gangs dealing drugs and the soldiers are regular law enforcement officers. A fast-paced narrative, the drama doesn’t stop until the last note has been sung.

For those worried about following the story line, subtitles in Thai and English will keep you abreast of the nuanced plots of both operas.

The Festival is sponsored by Crown Property Bureau, Bangkok Bank, Bangkok Dusit Medical Services, BMW Thailand, B. Grimm Group, Dusit Thani Bangkok, Indorama Ventures, Ministry of Culture, Nation Multimedia Group, PTT, Singha Corp, Thai Airways International and the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

– The Helikon Opera from Moscow will stage |”Un Ballo In Maschera” on September 18 and “Carmen” |on September 20 at the Thailand Cultural Centre.

– Seat are available http://www.ThaiTicketMajor.com |and (02) 262 3191.

– Find out more at http://www.BangkokFestivals.com.

Capitalsiam and consumerism have long been blamed for destroying the human spirit, pushing people into a cycle of extravagance and debt and generally causing a host of socio-economic problems. Concerned at this state of affairs, Krongsak Chulamorkodt, an independent architect, artist and secretary of the Saansaeng Arun Foundation, spent more than five years exploring ways to take us away from our focus on money and possessions and turn our minds to more spiritual matters.

He eventually decided on an art centre called The Mother’s Spiritual Museum, the first phase of which is scheduled to open in Nakhon Pathom in 2018 on land donated by Dr Athit Urairat, president of Rangsit University

“The spirit in art is the same as spirit in motherhood, that is the power of spirit and creativity to develop new life. It is exquisite, delicate and profound,” Krongsak says.

His project has gained overwhelming support. Thailand’s leading orchid expert, Prof Rapee Sagarik, is serving as chairman of t The Mother’s Spiritual Museum Foundation, and the directors include such well-known figures as former Finance Minister Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala, National Artist (Visual Arts) Theeraphon Niyom, Buddhist activist Phra Paisal Visalo, abbot of Wat Pah Sukato, Vichai Phoktavi, Jesuit priest and founder of the Santiwana retreat centre in Bangkok, SEA Write Award-winning poet and national artist Naowarat Pongpaiboon, alternative educator Ratchanee Thongchai, social and literary critic Prof Cholthira Satyawadhna, Sangkom Thongmee, the director of Sirindhorn Art Centre, Sumitra Channgao and Kraikiti Tipkanok, songwriter and producer at Voyage of Emotions

Kraikiti, who is the foundation’s managing director, tells XP that the foundation is moving the project forward by giving Thais a foretaste of what the museum will offer. To this end, it is holding an exhibition at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre from tomorrow through August 14 that features the first ever large-scale sculpture garden in Thailand.

The event, he adds, aims to encourage the public to participate in the museum project through fund-raising activities. The foundation estimates more than Bt500 million will be needed to construct the whole project.

The activities get underway tomorrow at 1pm with musical performances led by artists from the Silapatorn Group, artists and singer Mongkol Utok of songs-for-life band Caravan, Pakin “Puech” Isarakul, of “The Voice Thailand”, Sopit Phuttarak and Nawin Intarasorn.

That’s followed by a panel discussion titled “The Importance of Sculpture Gardens for the Public” led by National Artists Nontiwat Chantanapalin (Fine Art), Vichai Sithiratn (Sculpture), and Vichok Mookdamanee (Mixed media art).

Professor Rapee will introduce the project before handing over to Dr Athit for the grand opening of the exhibition at 6.30pm.

The exhibition is spread over various spaces at the BACC, with the giant sculpture garden on the first floor home to more than 20 sculptures on the theme of mother by leading Thai artists.

“Dialogue with Mother Nature 2”, the latest collection of pencil drawings by Krongsak himself can be seen on the third and fourth floors.

Sangkom Thongmee, director of the Sirindhorn Art Centre, Sarawooth “Meaw” Duangchampa and a group of artists from Art for Cancer will host DIY workshops.

“The museum will be designed as a spacious place with an ambience inspired by nature,” Krongsak says.

“We want it to serve as a door of inspiration for all.”

This one’s for mum

– The “Mother’s Spiritual Museum” exhibition is being held on floor 1, 3 and 4 of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre from tomorrow through August 14.

– Admission is free.

– For more information, call (02) 237 0080 extensions 114, 115, email: motherspiritualmuseum@gmail.com or click on Facebook.com/motherspiritualmuseum.