A panel of international critics named the Russian National Orchestra one of the world’s top orchestras. Known for innovation and excellence, it has pioneered a new structure for the performing arts in Russia and is known for outstanding artistic programs. It has been described as “a living symbol of the best in Russian art,” by the Miami Herald and “as close to perfect as one could hope for,” by Classics Today. Summers, music director of the Houston Grand Opera, is best known for his formidable grasp of extensive and diverse repertoire. Summers was Stolichnaya’s Artist of the Year and has twice received the Otto Guth Award. Trifonov is emerging as one of the brightest in the next generation of pianists. Recently, he was awarded medals at three of the most prestigious competitions in the music world, the Chopin Competition in Warsaw, the Rubinstein Competition in Tel Aviv and the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow.