Russian orchestra conductor Alexander Lazarev's pre-performance ritual: A light lunch and some music

For Russian orchestra conductor Alexander Lazarev, music doesn’t just soothe, it also teaches a lot of life lessons.

Lazarev, who from 1987 to 1995, was both chief conductor and artistic director of the Bolshoi Theatre, the first person in over thirty years to hold both positions simultaneously, tells ETPanache, “Conducting has taught me many important values in life. Perseverance and commitment being the most important. While conducting an orchestra I lead from the heart. This is something that I follow in life. It has taught to be passionate about everything that I do.”

Lazarev, who is looking to try out Indian restaurants during his first trip to India, also shares his pre-performance ritual with us. “ I like to have a light lunch, rest a little in the afternoon and come to the hall fresh and ready to go. As a Russian national I feel deeply rooted in the culture of my homeland. Before a show I always listen to music from my homeland. On the day of a performance I prefer to concentrate only on the music I will perform that evening.”.