Viktor Drobysh discusses artistic partnerships ahead of anniversary concert

Viktor Drobysh will bring established performers and younger singers together at Moscow’s Live Arena on October 18 for a concert marking his 60th birthday. In an interview with RIA Novosti, he discussed the relationships behind his work.

The producer said the show would feature Grigory Leps, Stas Mikhailov, Lolita, Valeriya, Mot, Mary Gu, Amirchik and Stas Piekha. He described them as creative friends, while noting that professional closeness does not always imply the same relationship in private life.

Drobysh called his separation from Slava a painful experience, but said she would still perform at the anniversary concert. He acknowledged that she would have her own account of their disagreements. His comments about Slava and Elena Vaenga represent his assessment of those partnerships.

He contrasted these separations with more than 20 years of work with Piekha. Drobysh said their trust had become more important than keeping track of successive contracts. He also described amicably allowing Yevgeny Trofimov to pursue his own project.

Recalling his career, he said sketches initially offered to Alla Pugacheva later became songs for Kristina Orbakaite. He described his subsequent collaboration with Valeriya as a turning point in establishing himself in Russian show business.

On younger performers, Drobysh praised MARFA and Vanya Dmitrienko. He argued that a lasting career requires musical work beyond social-media success, pointing to Valya Karnaval as an example of a blogger developing as a singer and presenter.

He defended candid judging on music competitions, while distinguishing criticism of a particular performance from a judgement of an artist’s ability. He said more participants now prepare live instrumental arrangements. In his view, a major singer should sing live at a solo concert.

Drobysh said he uses artificial intelligence to test possible musical styles quickly before developing an arrangement himself. He supported technological progress but opposed allowing the tools to replace the songwriter’s creative work.

He also praised Russian classical music education and copyright management, while arguing that personal commitment matters in popular music. He recalled learning through recordings of Queen, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin in his youth.

Discussing Intervision, he named Philipp Kirkorov, Vanya Dmitrienko, Polina Gagarina, Valeriya and MARFA as possible Russian performers. These were his suggestions rather than a selection announcement. He said writing a competition song or an anthem requires a particular creative impulse.

Drobysh also supported his children’s freedom to choose their careers. He said his youngest son, aged 15, plays football with PAOK in Greece, while his daughter Lida is interested in theatre, singing and directing. He described his heavy workload as limiting the time he spends on everyday family responsibilities.