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cockfighting knife NoneATLANTA (AP) — Jimmy Carter, the peanut farmer who tried to restore virtue to the White House after the Watergate scandal and Vietnam War, then rebounded from a landslide defeat to become a global advocate of human rights and democracy, has died. He was 100 years old . The Carter Center said the 39th president died Sunday afternoon, more than a year after entering hospice care , at his home in Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died in November 2023, lived most of their lives. The center said he died peacefully, surrounded by his family. As reaction poured in from around the world, President Joe Biden mourned Carter’s death, saying the world lost an “extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian” and he lost a dear friend. Biden cited Carter’s compassion and moral clarity, his work to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless and advocacy for the disadvantaged as an example for others. “To all of the young people in this nation and for anyone in search of what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning – the good life – study Jimmy Carter, a man of principle, faith, and humility,” Biden said in a statement. “He showed that we are a great nation because we are a good people – decent and honorable, courageous and compassionate, humble and strong.” Biden said he is ordering a state funeral for Carter in Washington. A moderate Democrat, Carter ran for president in 1976 as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad grin, effusive Baptist faith and technocratic plans for efficient government. His promise to never deceive the American people resonated after Richard Nixon’s disgrace and U.S. defeat in southeast Asia. “If I ever lie to you, if I ever make a misleading statement, don’t vote for me. I would not deserve to be your president,” Carter said. Carter’s victory over Republican Gerald Ford, whose fortunes fell after pardoning Nixon, came amid Cold War pressures, turbulent oil markets and social upheaval over race, women’s rights and America’s role in the world. His achievements included brokering Mideast peace by keeping Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at Camp David for 13 days in 1978. But his coalition splintered under double-digit inflation and the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran. His negotiations ultimately brought all the hostages home alive, but in a final insult, Iran didn’t release them until the inauguration of Ronald Reagan, who had trounced him in the 1980 election. Humbled and back home in Georgia, Carter said his faith demanded that he keep doing whatever he could, for as long as he could, to try to make a difference. He and Rosalynn co-founded The Carter Center in 1982 and spent the next 40 years traveling the world as peacemakers, human rights advocates and champions of democracy and public health. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, Carter helped ease nuclear tensions in North and South Korea, avert a U.S. invasion of Haiti and negotiate cease-fires in Bosnia and Sudan. By 2022, the center had monitored at least 113 elections around the world. Carter was determined to eradicate guinea worm infections as one of many health initiatives. Swinging hammers into their 90s, the Carters built homes with Habitat for Humanity. The common observation that he was better as an ex-president rankled Carter. His allies were pleased that he lived long enough to see biographers and historians revisit his presidency and declare it more impactful than many understood at the time. Propelled in 1976 by voters in Iowa and then across the South, Carter ran a no-frills campaign. Americans were captivated by the earnest engineer, and while an election-year Playboy interview drew snickers when he said he “had looked on many women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times,” voters tired of political cynicism found it endearing. The first family set an informal tone in the White House, carrying their own luggage, trying to silence the Marine Band’s traditional “Hail to the Chief" and enrolling daughter, Amy, in public schools. Carter was lampooned for wearing a cardigan and urging Americans to turn down their thermostats. But Carter set the stage for an economic revival and sharply reduced America's dependence on foreign oil by deregulating the energy industry along with airlines, trains and trucking. He established the departments of Energy and Education, appointed record numbers of women and nonwhites to federal posts, preserved millions of acres of Alaskan wilderness and pardoned most Vietnam draft evaders. Emphasizing human rights , he ended most support for military dictators and took on bribery by multinational corporations by signing the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. He persuaded the Senate to ratify the Panama Canal treaties and normalized relations with China, an outgrowth of Nixon’s outreach to Beijing. But crippling turns in foreign affairs took their toll. When OPEC hiked crude prices, making drivers line up for gasoline as inflation spiked to 11%, Carter tried to encourage Americans to overcome “a crisis of confidence.” Many voters lost confidence in Carter instead after the infamous address that media dubbed his “malaise" speech, even though he never used that word. After Carter reluctantly agreed to admit the exiled Shah of Iran to the U.S. for medical treatment, the American Embassy in Tehran was overrun in 1979. Negotiations to quickly free the hostages broke down, and then eight Americans died when a top-secret military rescue attempt failed. Carter also had to reverse course on the SALT II nuclear arms treaty after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan in 1979. Though historians would later credit Carter's diplomatic efforts for hastening the end of the Cold war, Republicans labeled his soft power weak. Reagan’s “make America great again” appeals resonated, and he beat Carter in all but six states. Born Oct. 1, 1924, James Earl Carter Jr. married fellow Plains native Rosalynn Smith in 1946, the year he graduated from the Naval Academy. He brought his young family back to Plains after his father died, abandoning his Navy career, and they soon turned their ambitions to politics . Carter reached the state Senate in 1962. After rural white and Black voters elected him governor in 1970, he drew national attention by declaring that “the time for racial discrimination is over.” Carter published more than 30 books and remained influential as his center turned its democracy advocacy onto U.S. politics, monitoring an audit of Georgia’s 2020 presidential election results. After a 2015 cancer diagnosis, Carter said he felt “perfectly at ease with whatever comes.” “I’ve had a wonderful life,” he said. “I’ve had thousands of friends, I’ve had an exciting, adventurous and gratifying existence.” Sanz is a former Associated Press reporter.Column: This red Midwestern state is a global paragon of clean power

NoneManmohan Singh: technocrat who became India's accidental PMArizona WR Tetairoa McMillan to enter 2025 NFL Draft

ECP to take up PTI financial matters on 26th During several appearances, PTI adopted delaying tactics due to which proceedings could not be completed ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has taken notice of the financial matters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and fixed a case for hearing on November 26. Notices have been issued to PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and then Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan to appear in person before the Election Commission here at 10:00am concerning the ‘consolidated statement of accounts of PTI for the financial year 2023-24. In this connection, the Election Commission has posted the cause list of the case, which was forwarded to its law Wing from the Political Finance Wing for necessary action. “We have certain things to ‘sort out’ regarding PTI finances and want the party leadership to appear before the Election Commission,” a senior ECP official said while talking to this correspondent. It may be recalled that the ECP had announced its decision on August 2, 2022 in the foreign funding case filed by PTI’s founding member and ex-information secretary Akbar S Babar on November 14, 2014. According to the decision, two American companies (PTI NA LLC 5975 & 6160) illegally collected $549,000 & $1,976,500 respectively in the name of PTI. In addition, £792,265 was illegally received by one company from the UK alone. The formal proceedings to seize these funds and other illegal funding, worth more than $7 million, against the government began on August 5, 2022, when the Election Commission of Pakistan issued a show cause notice to the PTI. During several appearances, PTI adopted delaying tactics due to which the proceedings could not be completed till date. Babar has repeatedly demanded that according to the August 2, 2022 decision, the PTI leadership was found to be involved in serious financial irregularities against which delay in legal action is tantamount to putting national security at stake. Commenting on the date fixed for ECP hearing in the PTI accounts, Babar claimed in the last fiscal year, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf entered into more than one lobbying contracts through companies in the name of PTI America. Separately, the Election Commission has issued notification of the certificate containing the information with regard to conduct of intra-party elections of the National Party held on 29.10.2024. The notification about the certificate has been issued in pursuance of Sections 208 & 209 (3) of the Elections Act, 2017 read with sub-rule (2) of Rule 158 of the Election Rules, 2017. Former senator Dr Abdul Malik has been notified as the president and Mir Kabir Ahmad as secretary general of the party.LeBron James at 40: A milestone birthday arrives Monday for the NBA's all-time scoring leader When LeBron James broke another NBA record earlier this month, the one for most regular-season minutes played in a career, his Los Angeles Lakers teammates handled the moment in typical locker room fashion. They made fun of him. Dubbed The Kid from Akron, with a limitless future, James is now the 40-year-old from Los Angeles with wisps of gray in his beard, his milestone birthday coming Monday, one that will make him the first player in NBA history to play in his teens, 20s, 30s and 40s. He has stood and excelled in the spotlight his entire career. 'Sonic 3' and 'Mufasa' battle for No. 1 at the holiday box office Two family films are dominating the holiday box office, with “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” winning the three-day weekend over “Mufasa” by a blue hair. According to studio estimates Sunday, the Sonic movie earned $38 million, while “Mufasa” brought in $37.1 million from theaters in the U.S. and Canada. The R-rated horror “Nosferatu” placed third with an unexpectedly strong $21.2 million. Thanksgiving release holdovers “Wicked” and “Moana 2” rounded out the top five. Christmas Day had several big film openings, including the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown,” the Nicole Kidman erotic drama “Babygirl” and the boxing drama “The Fire Inside.” Belgium will ban sales of disposable e-cigarettes in a first for the EU BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgium will ban the sale of disposable electronic cigarettes as of Jan. 1 on health and environmental grounds in a groundbreaking move for European Union nations. Health minister Frank Vandenbroucke tells The Associated Press that the inexpensive e-cigarettes have turned into a health threat since they are an easy way for teenagers to be drawn into smoking and get hooked on nicotine. Australia outlawed the sale of “vapes” outside pharmacies earlier this year in some of the world’s toughest restrictions on electronic cigarettes. Now Belgium is leading the EU drive. Belgium's minister wants tougher tobacco measures in the 27-nation bloc. Charles Dolan, HBO and Cablevision founder, dies at 98 Charles F. Dolan, who founded some of the most prominent U.S. media companies including Home Box Office Inc. and Cablevision Systems Corp., has died at age 98. Newsday reports that a statement issued Saturday by his family says Dolan died of natural causes. Dolan’s legacy in cable broadcasting includes founding HBO in 1972, Cablevision in 1973 and the American Movie Classics television station in 1984. He also launched News 12 in New York City, the first U.S. 24-hour cable channel for local news. Dolan also held controlling stakes in companies that owned Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the New York Knicks and the New York Rangers. Snoop's game: Snoop Dogg thrills the crowd in the bowl that bears his name TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Miami of Ohio beat Colorado State in the Arizona Bowl, but Snoop Dogg was the main attraction. The Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl presented by Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop was much a spectacle as a football game. Snoop Dogg seemed to be everywhere all at once, from a pregame tailgate to the postgame trophy presentation. Snoop Dog donned a headset on Colorado State's sideline, spent some time in the broadcast and even led both marching bands as conductor during their halftime performance. Snoop Dogg saved the best for last, rolling out in a light green, lowrider Chevy Impala with gold rims and accents, the shiny Arizona Bowl trophy in his hand as fans screamed his name. Mavs star Luka Doncic is latest pro athlete whose home was burglarized, business manager says DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks is the latest professional athlete whose home has been burglarized. The star guard’s business manager tells multiple media outlets there was a break-in at Doncic’s home Friday night. Lara Beth Seager says nobody was home, and Doncic filed a police report. The Dallas Morning News reports that jewelry valued at about $30,000 was stolen. Doncic is the sixth known pro athlete in the U.S. whose home was burglarized since October. Star NFL quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes of Kansas City and Joe Burrow of Cincinnati are among them. The NFL and NBA have issued security alerts to players over the break-ins. Victor Wembanyama plays 1-on-1 chess with fans in New York Victor Wembanyama went to a park in New York City and played 1-on-1 with fans on Saturday. He even lost a couple of games. Not in basketball, though. Wemby was playing chess. Before the San Antonio Spurs left New York for a flight to Minnesota, Wembanyama put out the call on social media: “Who wants to meet me at the SW corner of Washington Square park to play chess? Im there,” Wembanyama wrote. It was 9:36 a.m. And people began showing up almost immediately. Norwegian chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen quits a tournament in a dispute over jeans NEW YORK (AP) — The International Chess Federation says top ranked player Magnus Carlsen has left the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships after refusing to change out of the jeans he wore to the competition. The federation said Friday that its regulations include a dress code that bars participants from wearing jeans at the event. The Norwegian chess grandmaster says he accepted a $200 fine but refused to change his pants out of principle before leaving the competition in New York. The federation said the dress code is designed to ensure professionalism and fairness for all participants. Trailblazing model Dayle Haddon dies from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning NEW HOPE, Pa. (AP) — A trailblazing former “Sports Illustrated” model who pushed back against age discrimination has died in a Pennsylvania home from what authorities believe was carbon monoxide poisoning. Authorities in Bucks County found 76-year-old Dayle Haddon, dead in a second-floor bedroom Friday morning after emergency dispatchers were notified about a person unconscious at the Solebury Township home. A 76-year-old man who was also in the home was hospitalized in critical condition. As a model, Haddon appeared on dozens of magazine coverage in the 1970s and 1980s. She then reentered the industry in the 1990s after landing contracts with cosmetic companies to promote their anti-aging products. 2 Oregon men die from exposure in a forest after they went out to look for Sasquatch STEVENSON, Wash. (AP) — Officials say two Oregon men have died in a Washington state forest after they failed to return from a trip to look for Sasquatch. The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office says the 59-year-old and 37-year-old appear to have died from exposure. The sheriff's office says it based that conclusion on the weather and their lack of preparedness. Both men were from Portland. They were found in a heavily wooded area of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest northeast of that city. Family reported them missing after they failed to return from a Christmas Eve outing. Sasquatch is a folkloric beast thought by some to roam the forests, particularly in the Pacific Northwest.

Our top picks for the best gifts to give women this holiday seasonHyderabad, Dec 30 (IANS): Kerala outclassed Manipur 5-1 to advance to the final of the Santosh Trophy for the 16th time on Sunday, at the Gachibowli Stadium. A late Muhammad Roshal PP hat trick put the gloss on a brilliant team performance from Kerala who will now take on old rivals West Bengal for the trophy. He was rightly handed over the Player of the Match award. In the day’s first semi-final, West Bengal defeated holders Services 4-2 to move into the final for the 47th time. In a high-octane first half, it was Kerala that struck first, their brilliant midfield play paying out the dividends in the 22nd minute of the game. After some passing that shifted the play constantly, and dragged Manipur's midfield out of shape, Muhammed Riyas played a through ball into the gap towards Muhammed Ajsal. The forward let the ball go through, having anticipated his supporting forward Naseeb Rahman making a run up front. Rahman picked up the ball 25 yards from goal, entered the box, rounded the goalkeeper and finished with aplomb to give Kerala a deserved lead. Manipur had faced a deficit earlier in the tournament and were no strangers to comebacks. And so it proved. In the 30th minute, from a long throw-in, Nijo Gilbert handled the ball in the box to give Manipur a lifeline back in the game. Shunjantan Ragui made no mistake from the resulting penalty, slamming it into the roof of the net. The game's topsy turvy momentum continued in the end stages of the half. S Hajmal's spill in the danger zone from a wayward Manipur shot resulted in a frenzy hastily cleared away. And in first half injury time came the piece de resistance, a breakaway Kerala move giving them the lead once again. Played through on the left wing, Riyas drifted in towards the byline before cutting a perfect low cross to the centre of the goal. An onrushing Ajsal displayed calm and brilliant technique to finish the move with a backheel flick. Kerala went into the break in the lead. Manipur pressed harder in the second half in search of the equaliser, as Kerala dropped deeper. A moment of magic in the 73rd minute though completely killed the game. The newly introduced substitute, Muhammed Roshal stole the ball from Manipur forty yards from goal, ran towards the centre and let fly from outside the box. The ball slotted perfectly into the bottom corner. Kerala were two goals to the good, and Manipur looking at the abyss of a semi-final defeat. The third goal killed Manipur off completely and their defence capitulated completely at the end. Roshal added two more goals right at the end, one from the penalty spot in injury time to complete a brilliant victory. Kerala, however, suffered a setback when defender Manoj M received the marching orders for his second yellow card offence.

NoneWALTHAM, Mass. , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- For the fourth consecutive year, Granahan Investment Management, Inc. (GIM), a majority employee-owned boutique investment manager and small-cap equity specialist, has been named as one of the Best Places to Work in Money Management by Pensions & Investments , the global news source of money management and institutional investing. The 13 th annual employee survey and recognition program is dedicated to identifying and recognizing the best employers in the money management industry. Based in Waltham, Mass. , GIM was founded by investment professionals with a passion for small-cap growth equities and a focus on bottom-up stock selection. GIM is also known for its commitment to diversity in the investment management industry as a founding member of the Wall Street Diversity Accelerator (WSDA), formed in 2019. "We have built a collaborative culture over the past four decades where everyone can come together and do their best work in an environment that fosters diverse views and accountability," said Jane White , CEO of Granahan Investment Management. "It is gratifying to see how our employees' commitment to success leads to better outcomes for our clients. It is an honor to be recognized again by Pensions & Investments for our efforts and results." "As their employees attest, the companies named to this year's Best Places to Work list demonstrate a commitment to building and maintaining a strong workplace culture,'' said Julie Tatge , editor-in-chief of Pensions & Investments . "In doing so, they're helping their employees, clients and their businesses succeed.'' This year, Pensions & Investments partnered with Workforce Research Group, a research firm specializing in identifying great places to work, to conduct a two-part survey process of employers and their employees. The first part, worth about 20% of the evaluation, consisted of evaluating each nominated company's workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. The second part, worth about 80% of the evaluation, consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. The combined scores determined the top companies. For a complete list of the 2024 Pensions & Investments ' Best Places to Work in Money Management winners and profiles of the top firms across size categories, go to http://www.pionline.com/BPTW2024 . About Granahan Investment Management Granahan Investment Management, Inc. (GIM), founded in 1985, is a small cap equity specialist with broad employee ownership and approximately $2.9 billion in assets under management and advisement as of Sept. 30, 2024 . The firm offers U.S. micro cap, small cap, and SMID strategies as well as global small-cap strategies for institutions and high net worth individuals worldwide. For more information, visit www.granahan.com . Media contacts: Margaret Kirch Cohen / Rich Chimberg Newton Park PR, LLC +1 847-507-2229/+1 617-312-4281 [email protected] / [email protected] SOURCE Granahan Investment Management

'It Was Pretty Close': Canada's Carter George Misses Goalie Goal, Records Shutout And Assist Instead At World JuniorsPresident-elect Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he will nominate former Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., to lead the Small Business Administration in his second term. "I am very pleased to nominate business leader and former U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler, from the Great State of Georgia, to serve as Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA)," Trump wrote on Truth Social . Trump called Loeffler "a tremendous fighter in the U.S. Senate during the first Trump Administration" and said she would "bring her experience in business and Washington to reduce red tape, and unleash opportunity for our Small Businesses to grow, innovate, and thrive." Trump announced l ast month that Loeffler would co-chair the organization planning his inauguration. Loeffler, 53, represented Georgia in the Senate for just over a year in 2020 and 2021, filling the seat left by the late Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., when he resigned because of health reasons. She ran in the 2020 special election for the seat but lost in a runoff election to Democrat Raphael Warnock . After the 2020 election, as Trump pushed his claims of widespread voter fraud, Loeffler repeatedly refused to acknowledge that he had lost the presidential election. NBC News reported last year that a special grand jury in Georgia that initially investigated Trump's efforts to overturn the election results recommended indict ing more than three dozen people , including 21 who weren't charged in the Fulton County case. Loeffler was among those the panel recommended, but she was ultimately not charged. Trump has named other choices for his future Cabinet who also expressed doubt about his loss in the 2020 election, including Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., his pick for ambassador to the U.N. ; Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. , chosen for secretary of state ; and former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi , selec t ed for attorney general . Loeffler is the founder of the company RallyRight, which is described as “a suite of technology products designed to empower conservatives with the necessary tools to win at every level.” She is also on the board for the application PublicSquare, which is described as the “largest marketplace & payments ecosystem that protects life, family, and freedom.” She previously owned a 49% stake in the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream, which was sold in 2021 . The small business administrator is subject to Senate confirmation.

Russian baritone Mikhail Timoshenko began his musical and theatrical training in Mednogorsk, then at the Franz Liszt University in Weimar and the Hans Eisler in Berlin. From 2015 to 2017, he was a member of the Académie de l’Opéra national de Paris. He sang in the world premiere of Joanna Lee’s “Vol Retour” and performed the role of Pluton (Monteverdi’s “L’Orfeo”). He has sung Spencer Coyle (“Owen Wingrave”), Hymas and Tirtée (“Les Fêtes d’Hébé”) in Paris and in London, Erster Handwerksbursch (“Wozzeck”), Silvano (“Un Ballo in Maschera”), Mitioukha (“Boris Godunov”) on the main stage of Bastille Opera. His 2024-25 roles will include Papageno at Paris-Bastille Bastille, Marcello (“La Bohème”) at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, “Kindertotenlieder” by Mahler in Toulon, Belcore (“L’elisir d’amore”) at the Opéra national de Lorraine, Taddeo (“L’Italienne à Alger”) at the Théâtre des Champs Elysées-Paris, and the title role of Don Giovanni and Tadeush (“La Passagère”) in Toulouse. Philanthropy is a topic close to Mikhail’s heart. Since 2009, he gives charity concerts for children with mental disorders in Russia and takes part in several fundraising events organized by the “Yehudi Menuhin Live Musik” in Germany. In a cooperation with the autonomous non-profit organization ”Touch” in Orenburg he supports several boarding-schools for mentally handicapped children. OperaWire visits with Mikhail Timoshenko to learn more. OperaWire: Hello, Mikhail and thank you for speaking to OperaWire. You recently performed in Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” in Paris. How did the production go, and what do you make of Papageno? Mikhail Timoshenko: Hello! It is my pleasure to speak to you. Absolutely marvelous! It was my first time performing Papageno with the German text (previously, I performed this role in Montpellier but without the dialogues), and everyone around could feel my excitement. Surrounded by colleagues of the highest quality, I was able to create an interesting and entertaining character who brought a lot of light, laughter, and compassion to the grand stage of the Opéra Bastille. OW: You are about to perform at the Royal Opera House as Marcello in “La Bohème.” The last time you performed this role there, you received critical acclaim. What is it like to be back in London, and how are rehearsals going? MT: I’m filled with pure and simple happiness. It might sound a bit exaggerated, but these are the words that best describe my return to the Royal Opera House. Being part of this big family, seeing friendly faces in the rehearsal rooms and offices, sharing ideas at the magnificent terrace where you can see the “thousand chimneys of London,” and creating together with the best of the best—it’s a life-changing experience every time. OW: You have sung this role several times now. Are you fully comfortable with your characterization of Marcello, or is it still a work in progress? Who did you take inspiration from in the role? MT: There is a saying: it’s not possible to step into the same river twice. Opera is a dynamic art form where everything and every moment is unique. Marcello began, for me, as an exploration, and now, together with the stage team and my colleagues, I draw inspiration from the persona of Modigliani. The beauty of opera is that everything remains flexible, and even between performances, there can be significant differences. All I can say with certainty is that I’m finally comfortable enough to feel free. OW: Tell me about growing up in Russia, and who your musical influences were. Do you come from a musical family? MT: I was born in a tiny village called Kameikino in an ordinary household. During my childhood, our family moved a lot, but my mother took great care of me and my younger brother, so I made a lot of friends who still remember me from those times. Everything changed when my brother was diagnosed with a severe form of autism. At the time, it seemed like a curse or a burden, but now I understand it was, and always will be, our blessing—my blessing. Perhaps because of this, my mother was so preoccupied with finding a “magic cure” for him that she didn’t encourage me to pursue music initially. Later, however, she supported me in attending the conservatory in Germany. I must also mention the heroism of my family: without knowing anything about classical music, they decided to believe in my dream. There’s a funny story about how I started singing, but that’s for another time. OW: You established yourself as a singer of Mozart earlier in your career. How do you approach Mozart roles compared to, say, those by Puccini or Verdi? MT: My goal is to grow alongside my vocal, physical, and emotional development. How do you decide if you’re ready for a certain role? Only through careful observation and constant work can you be granted what I might call a revelation. I’m not someone who holds rigid opinions about styles. While I possess knowledge about the differences in vocal and musical languages of each epoch, I don’t prioritize theory over reality. Mozart, Puccini, Donizetti, Bach, or Schönberg—there is only one way to approach every piece of music: careful observation and constant work. Observation helps you understand the composer’s ideas and emotions, while work brings them to life. For example, only after years of mastering the art song did I realize that I was ready to perform Schubert’s “Winterreise.” I am now preparing to present it at Wigmore Hall this summer. OW: You have upcoming roles in Wagner’s “Les Grandes Pages: L’opéra Allemand,” Donizetti’s “L’elisir d’amore,” and Rossini’s “L’italiana in Algeri,” all, I believe, are role debuts. Is this a deliberate intention to explore and establish yourself in new roles? MT: All of this. Agreeing to a role is the result of a complex mechanism inherent in being an opera singer today, especially in the freelance world. I can assure you that every role was chosen carefully, with the goal of delivering the highest level of performance for the audience. Behind each decision is an entire team, including my agent, my singing teacher, and my duo partner and wife, Elitsa Desseva. These choices come after many discussions, considering all aspects of selecting one path over another. OW: You are clearly a committed philanthropist. I understand you have been giving charity concerts and campaigning for children with mental health issues. Can you tell me more about this and the charities and organizations you are involved with? MT: I owe much of this to my little brother. He has given me the chance to be a better person. And I’m not just talking about helping him directly. This issue goes much deeper and touches on the very core of human existence. Until 2021, I held annual charity concerts in Russia, though it has become more complicated since then. My mother is the true hero in this story: for the past three years, she has run the first dom soprovozhdayushchego prozhivaniya (assisted living home) in the Orenburg region. She helps young people with mental disorders learn to live independently. I’m also part of a French organization called CALMS. Together with my colleagues in France, we raise awareness of social issues through charity concerts. Finding time for philanthropy in my schedule is challenging, but I give it my best and will never stop. Categories