Winter twilight will serve as the backdrop for a program where romance coexists with opera arias, and Russian tradition meets European classics. The hall of the White Drawing Room at the library on Liteiny will transform into an intimate musical space this evening, where the voice and piano engage in a trusting conversation with each listener. Instead of loud stage brilliance, closeness and nuances of sound are more important here. The program features romances, arias, and instrumental pieces by Russian and foreign composers. Lyrical intonations alternate with dramatic outbursts, smooth cantilenas with virtuosic episodes, and familiar melodies gain a new sound in the library hall with its unique acoustics. The repertoire is thoughtfully curated to showcase how diverse academic music can be when performed live and within arm's reach. Soprano Anna Fakova is distinguished by her attentive approach to the word and intonation. She treats the romantic text almost like a miniature play: conveying the character of the hero, the mood of the scene, the inner monologue. In the arias, the singer emphasizes contrasts and sharp emotional turns, while in lyrical numbers, she focuses on the soft timbre and delicate nuances, allowing familiar pages of vocal classics to be perceived in a fresh and new way. Andrey Bondarenko's part sounds like a full-fledged musical interlocutor, not just a background. The concertmaster picks up phrases, sets the rhythmic impulse, supports climaxes, and gently leads the piece to its conclusion. His experience performing at the largest venues in St. Petersburg allows him to combine inner freedom with stylistic precision, maintaining the intimate scale of sound. For lovers of vocal music, this concert will be an opportunity to hear romance and opera in a more intimate format than in a large theater hall.