OLEG POGUDIN 'Vertinsky'

The words "Vertinsky, Pogudin, Vainshtein" have long become a kind of password for audiences — an entrance ticket to the world of 20th-century classics, vivid artistry, virtuoso pianism and great psychological theatre. In June 2026, the singer, actor and director Oleg Pogudin will present in Israel the program "Vertinsky." This program has long become cult. And not only because Alexander Vertinsky's work has remained relevant and sought-after for over a hundred years (his songs are still sung, his memoir prose comes out in large print runs), but also thanks to the personality of the performer. Oleg Pogudin's creative fate has been linked with Vertinsky's name for more than 30 years: the solo program "Vertinsky," the plays "The Tragic Tenor of the Era," "The Silver Age" and "Art Deco" in which Alexander Nikolayevich is one of the main heroes, and the play "Vertinsky. Return" — staged by Pogudin as director and already called legendary by critics. All of Pogudin's vision of Vertinsky's work persuasively proves that to understand and accept his poetic world, one must be a poet oneself, and Vertinsky's poetry and poetics are connected with such deep concepts as memory, compassion, love, forgiveness, repentance, patience, humility and atonement. Together with Oleg Pogudin, the distinguished Petersburg pianist, laureate of many international competitions and prizes, Oleg Vainshtein will take the stage. Alexander Vertinsky passed away in 1957, 69 years ago, but the memory of his duet with Mikhail Brokhes lives on to this day. The program that Israeli audiences will see is more than a concert. The duet of Oleg Pogudin and Oleg Vainshtein makes Vertinsky's songs resonate with our time, while the essentials remain in their performance by 21st-century masters: the living heart of a wanderer and artist that knows, dreams and waits. And also… it is so rare to hear something sung beautifully in our earthly wilderness.