On May 12, 2025, one of the most anticipated cultural events of the spring took place at the Russian House in Brussels — the musical-poetic performance by Oleg Pogudin’s Theatre of Romance (TROP) titled “Vertinsky+. Literary Cabaret.”

This evening became a true celebration of art, uniting music, poetry, and theater in a single breath of the Russian spiritual tradition.

The stage brought to life the imagery and intonations of the early 20th century — the Silver Age, with its refined lyricism, musical sophistication, and inner drama. The artists of TROP performed songs by Alexander Vertinsky, the Russian chansonnier and poet whose work became a cultural symbol of a bygone era. The program was enriched with pieces by Sergei Rachmaninoff, traditional Russian romances, and poetry by Anna Akhmatova, Georgy Ivanov, Marina Tsvetaeva, and other prominent poets of the time.

The central figure of the evening was People’s Artist of Russia Oleg Pogudin — singer, actor, director, and the constant creative force behind the Theatre of Romance. His stage mastery once again proved its uniqueness: each performance turned into a dramatic miniature, rich in emotion, tone, and profound meaning. Pogudin effortlessly transformed — from a social dandy to a dreamer, to a wandering poet — creating nuanced and vividly alive characters.

Critics often call Oleg Pogudin the custodian of the traditions of the great Russian psychological theater, and his performances “musical confessions,” where every nuance is deliberate and filled with meaning. His art is not just a concert, but a complete theatrical event, where music and word merge into a single poetic fabric.

A special impression was made by the brilliant and virtuosic performance of pianist Oleg Wainstein, one of the project’s regular participants. Thanks to his playing, the musical pieces came alive, conveying the atmosphere of a lost era.

The audience gathered at the Russian House responded with great enthusiasm. It was not just an encounter with art, but a deep emotional experience that brought the audience back to the roots of Russian culture, reminding us of the timeless value of poetry, music, and the human soul.

“Vertinsky+. Literary Cabaret” became yet another testimony that true art does not lose its power over the years — on the contrary, it gains new resonance and relevance in our challenging times.