Galina Vishnevskaya’s name is synonymous with twentieth-century Russian opera.

She was adored on both sides of the Iron Curtain during the Cold War. Now, the Russian operatic diva’s Opera Centre is bringing their show to Guadalajara on September 27 in one of their very first performances on Latin American soil.

Beloved soprano Galina Vishnevskaya (pictured here with husband Mstislav Rostropovich, considered one of the greatest cellists of the 20th century) has dedicated her life to the Russian operatic tradition. Now, Tapatios can hear performances by students at her thriving school.

Guadalajara audiences will get a chance to see Bizet’s four-act “Carmen” and Verdi’s “Rigoletto.” One of the world’s most famous baritones, Boris Statsenko, will be performing alongside the students.

This is the next stage in Vishnevskaya’s self-professed mission of “renewing and glorifying the Russian operatic tradition” and giving it a global presence. She has been praised by her country’s government for her “missionary attitude” towards culture.

Relations between Vishnevskaya and Russian governments have not always been as smooth. She opposed the Soviet Union and faced pressure from the KGB. After leaving Russia in 1974, her citizenship was stripped from her. It was only reinstated in 1990 after perestroika. Since then, promoting Russian opera and teaching young talent has been her focus. Aged 82, Vishnevskaya still finds the energy and commitment to spend time with her students.

The Galina Vishnevskaya Opera Centre will perform “Carmen” on Saturday, September 27 at 8 p.m and “Rigoletto” on Sunday, September 28 at 6:30 p.m. Both shows are at the Teatro Diana and cost 350-950 pesos.