Event info

Russian Souvenir

Performers:
Lubov Molina - contralto
Valeria Petrova - piano
Alexandra Chernyshova - soprano
Jónina Erna Arnardóttir - piano

Russian classical music captivated the music world for more than two centuries. Many years later two creative singers met each other during the international music event in Asia and decided to build an artistic bridge between - Reykjavik and Moscow with a newly announced concert "Russian Souvenir”. On another hand, classical music exchange will continue in Moscow with extraordinary and enchanted vocal compositions by Icelandic composers.

The program “Russian Souvenir” includes songs, romances, arias and scenes from operas by famous Russian composers. Olga's Aria from Tchaikovsky's opera “Eugene Onegin", “Vocalise” by Sergei Rachmaninoff and "The Nightingale" by composer Alexandr Alyabyev are among the brilliant and well known melodies for classical music lovers of the whole world.

But how well do you really know Russian classical music? The authors of the program would be more than happy to guide you through both well-known and the not-so-popular pearls of Russian music culture. This concert is a one of a kind opportunity to enjoy music writings rarely performed outside of Russia, from founder of Russian classical music Glinka to composer innovator Prokofiev.

Lubov Molina ( contralto )
Moscow-born Lubov Molina is a young but already recognised contralto with a wonderful big voice that has taken her to many countries including Italy, Germany, Spain, France, United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, Poland and China. Her professional opera repertoire includes parts from low contralto to dramatic mezzo. Her signature opera roles include Lubasha in Rimsky-Korsakov's "Tsar's Bride" and Olga in Tchaikovsky's "Eugene Onegin". This May Lubov extended her repertoire by taking part in unique project "Opera Underground" where she performed Lucia's part in concert version of the opera “Cavalleria Rusticana” by Mascagni at night in Moscow Metro. "Coming to Iceland for the first time with a concert is a great honour. I'll be happy to share Russian musical legacy with the Icelandic audience," says Lubov.

Valeria Petrova ( piano )
Accompanist Valeria Petrova graduated in 1998 from the Gnessin Academy. She worked at the vocal department of the Academy opera studio, as part of the “New Names” international scholarship programme, performing in high- profile events as the invited accompanist with “MosConcert” soloists. She is also an experienced accompanist at competitions and masterclasses, and in supporting operatic soloists to prepare for their roles. Valeria is currently an accompanist with the Galina Vishnevskaya Opera Centre and associate professor at the concert department of the Gnessins Academy.

Alexandra Chernyshova ( soprano )
Alexandra is well known lyric coloratura soprano in Iceland. She made her way to the hearts of Icelanders through the beautiful crystal voice, sincere musicality and vivid stage presence. After Alexandra´s appearance as Violetta Valery in “La Traviata” by G.Verdi with the Icelandic Opera Skagafjardar company, music critics sad that “Miracles still happen”. She sang with the Kiev National Radio and Television Orchestra, Kiev Academical Musical Theatre of Opera and Ballet for Youth, International Music Sacra Festival in Marktoberdorf in Germany, Rhodes International Opera Festival in Greece, International Opera Studio by Katja Ricciarelli in Italy, Opera Skagafjardar in Iceland, Icelandic symphony orchestra of the North, New York Contemporary Opera Festival, USA and others. Alexandra was awarded Artistic salary from the Ministry of Culture and Education of Iceland, in 2008 and Top of 10 Outstanding Young people of Iceland for her cultural achievement, JCI, in 2014. Alexandra published 3 solo Cds, among them Russian album with 11 romances by Sergei Rachmaninoff “A Dream” accompanied by Icelandic legend - pianist Jonas Ingimundarsson.

Jónína Erna Arnardóttir ( piano )
Jónína Erna studied the piano in Iceland and graduated as pianist and piano teacher from the Reykjavík College of Music in 1990. She furthered her studies with professor Jiri Hlinka at the Bergen Music Conservatory in Norway where she majored in accompaniment and chamber music, and took classical singing as her minor subject. Jonina Erna is very much sought after as an accompanist, appearing in concerts with choirs, singers and other musicians. She is the artistic director of music festival IsNord in Borgarnes and last year her trio, Trio Danois, gave fourteen concerts with Scandinavian music in seven countries. Jonina also conducts choirs and is the organist of the Church of Stafholt in Borgarfjordur. She teaches the piano and is the head of the piano department at the Borgarfjörður Music School.