The concert Three Icons in Budapest gave audiences not only the chance to enjoy solo performances from the evening’s headliners, but also revealed new dimensions of the artists’ talents through long-awaited collaborations and unexpected duets.

The editorial team at DimashNews spoke with the evening’s guest performers, opera singers Elena Dudochkina and Viktoriia Buleieva, about the joint performances featured in the concert.

“I’m so happy that here, for the first time in the world, we were truly able to unite all genres together. I adore Dimash – he is an incredibly talented musician and a very kind, sincere person. In such a unique combination, you can create any kind of music at the highest possible level, because that is when something genuinely new is born.

I grew up with classical music, but I always loved and sang jazz, crossover, and other styles too, though it used to be a secret. And now I can openly say that I love and perform all of it. So I’m delighted that together we were able to present such a beautiful concert.

Dimash’s duet with Maestro Domingo, when they performed the iconic O Sole Mio, is exactly what the union of opera and modern sound looks like, because music is one. We absolutely need more concerts like this. There is a mutual exchange of energy that amplifies the emotional impact and spreads love for music across all generations.

I was also thrilled to perform Bésame Mucho together with Dimash and Plácido Domingo. I had previously sung opera repertoire with the Maestro several times.

It is such a tender, light, heartfelt song – one that invites you to relax and simply bring joy to the audience. By the concert finale, we were all able to enjoy this wonderful music together. Its expressive power speaks equally to everyone,” Elena Dudochkina shared after the performance.

While Dimash fans had previously heard his renditions of O Sole Mio and Bésame Mucho at gala concerts or in a cappella moments during solo shows, the duet from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary Broadway musical The Phantom of the Opera was performed by the Kazakh artist for the very first time.

The surprise finale duet with Ukrainian opera singer Viktoriia Buleieva drew an outpouring of enthusiastic reactions from the audience.

Viktoriia Buleieva spoke about receiving the invitation to perform, the Virtuosos project, her participation in The Voice Kazakhstan, and her impressions of working with Dimash.

“For me, this invitation was both completely unexpected and incredibly exciting, because it is truly a large-scale international project of the highest level. At the same time, it felt like a very natural continuation of my artistic journey.

After participating in international projects and television shows, the concert producers took notice of me. As far as I know, they were looking for an artist with strong classical vocal training, but also a modern, contemporary presentation. After reviewing all the materials, they approved me and invited me to Budapest.

I immediately connected with the team – there are extraordinary professionals and remarkable artists working here. For me, it is a great joy to be part of a project where you can be fully yourself – in music, in emotion, in communication, and in scale.

The Phantom of the Opera had already been in my repertoire and became a truly fateful piece for me. I performed it on The Voice in Kazakhstan, and it is very special to me. It is not simply a vocally demanding work, it is real dramaturgy in music.

And to be honest, ever since my time on The Voice, a thought had stayed with me: how incredible it would be one day to perform this piece specifically with Dimash. When we first met in Budapest, I even told him that I had been waiting for this moment for five years. And as it turns out, the universe really does hear everything.

As for Budapest, this was not a repeat performance for me, but a completely new interpretation of the piece.

I know the Virtuosos project and follow it with great interest. It is a rare format that genuinely popularizes classical music for a broad audience. It gives many young performers the chance to be heard and warmly supports emerging talent. Some of the participants are deeply impressive – especially in their maturity and depth despite their young age.

There are several performers with whom it would be fascinating to create something together, especially in crossover format, where classical foundations can merge with a modern sound. I have always been drawn to working at the boundaries of genres. One performance that especially touched me was by a little girl from Ukraine – Amelia Anisovych. I am sincerely grateful to the Virtuosos team for their attention to young talent.

My participation in The Voice Kazakhstan in 2021 remains a very warm and important chapter of my artistic path. Working with Maira Mukhamedkyzy became one of the key stages of my professional development. Thanks to the project, a wide audience discovered me, and I am still deeply grateful to the viewers of Kazakhstan for the incredible support I continue to feel today.

Madame Maira offered not only vocal guidance, but taught me how to understand material more deeply – to live it, not merely perform it. She is a sensitive, warm, yet demanding mentor. What I remember most is her attention to detail and absolute honesty in her work. It is the kind of school that stays with you forever.

When it comes to genres, crossover is closest to me. Operatic vocal training is my foundation, without it, there is no way forward, but as an artist, I strive for a more flexible and contemporary form.

Operetta also holds a special place in my heart, because it allows you to fully reveal your artistic nature: to combine voice, emotion, movement, and acting. It gives you the freedom to express charisma and theatricality, which feels very natural to me.

I also love musicals. Among my favorites are The Phantom of the Opera and Notre-Dame de Paris, and among operettas, Die Fledermaus. This is music that carries scale, story, and a powerful emotional connection with the audience.

Dimash’s uniqueness lies in the fact that he creates his own musical language and does not exist within the limits of a single genre. I am especially drawn to his grand, dramatic compositions – those with development, story, and a strong emotional arc. They are never just vocal performances, but complete artistic statements.

I especially admire works such as Olympico, Fire, Ave Maria, Stranger, as well as his performance of Diva Dance from The Fifth Element. That is a level that truly impresses and inspires.

And of course, The Phantom of the Opera in his interpretation is something entirely special. To perform this piece with him on a major international stage is true happiness.

I know many people had been waiting for this duet, and I’m glad we were able to give them such a powerful and emotional performance. I am certain this is only the beginning.”