Opera Stars of Russia
Ilona Ananyina

Ilona Ananyina

Soprano

Born in Moscow, Russia, in English speaking family, commenced her musical studies at the age of five. Graduated from Russian Academy of Music (named after the Gnessins) as a choir Conductor and then as a classical singer.

In 2008 Ms. Ananyina graduated from the postgraduate course of Moscow Tchaikovsky State Conservatory with Professor Galina Pissarenko.

During 2006-2007, along with her postgraduate studies she was having professional opera training at Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris (with Professor Caroline Dumas).

Also for 2007-2009 she was being trained by Professor Dmitry Vdovin.

She regularly participates in Moscow International Vocal School working with R. Pierney, D. Zola, R. Cowart, G.Borrelli, G.Bisi, G. Darden (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008.)

In 2001 Ms. Ananyina started her concert activities. She appeared on the stage accompanied both by pianists and different orchestras, such as State Wind Orchestra of Russia directed by A. Umanets, Orchestra of Folk Instruments conducted by A. Poletajev, “Moscow Balalaika” Quartet led by V. Ionchenkov. From 2001 to 2008 she also performed several recitals. In 2007 as a guest singer she performed her recitals at Russian House in Vienna (Austria) and at Alfred Cortot Concert Hall in Paris (France).

The repertoire of the singer is varied. She sings ancient and spiritual music, classical opera and arias from musicals, chamber musical works and music of modern composers.

Among her awards and honors there is a Winner of “Madam Butterfly” International Vocal Competition (Japan, 2006) and the Diplomas of “Bella Voce” International Vocal Competition (2005) and “Sanct-Petersburg” International Competition of Operatic Singers (2007). In January of 2009 she became a finalist of Franzisco Vinas Competition in Barselona.

She took part and got awards in many musical festivals, including International Festival of Ancient and Chamber Music (Belarus, 2005) where Ms. Ananyina presented her solo performance in the Saint Sophia Cathedral at the closing ceremony of the Festival. She was also a participant and prize-winner of festival “White Lilac” devoted to S. Rachmaninov (Russia, 2003).

She was the first to have been awarded with the Prize and Honorary Title “Nation’s Wealth” established by “People’s Radio” of Russia for numerous radio concerts and programs (2006).

In autumn of 2006 during the celebrations of the 100th birth anniversary of D. Shostakovich Ms. Ananyina was invited to take part in several concerts in the Big Hall of Moscow Tchaikovsky State Conservatory where she presented a vocal cycle “Seven pieces with the poems by A. Block” accompanied by the piano, violin and cello. Her performance was favorably acclaimed by the press.

In January of 2008 Ms. Ananyina took part in Sviatoslav Richter’s Feastival together with the soloists of the Bolshoi Theatre of Moscow.

At the Opera Theatre of Moscow Tchaikovsky State Conservatory Ms. Ananyina performed the part of Tatiana (“Eugene Onegin” by P.I. Tchaikovsky) and the part of Contessa (“Le Nozze di Figaro” by Mozart). Also Ms. Ananyina sang the role of Tatiana at Concert Theatrical Centre in Hunty-Mansiysk (2005) and then at Nizhniy Novgorod Opera Theatre (2006). She has performed the part of Iolanta (“Iolanta” by Tchaikovsky) at the Musical Theatre in Saratov (2006) and the part of Contessa at Omsk Musical Theatre (2007).

In 2008 Ms. Ananyina performed the role of Corinna in the concert performance of “Il Viaggio a Reims” by G. Rossini on the stage of the Moscow International House of Music and at the Grand Concert Hall of Russian Academy of Music.

Ms. Ananyina has recorded several concert programs at “People’s Radio” of Russia.

REPERTOIRE

G. Bizet, “Carmen” Micaela
G. Bizet, "Les pecheurs de perles" Leila
C. Gounod, “Faust” Margerite
W. Mozart, “Le Nozze di Figaro” Contessa
W. Mozart, “Don Giovanni” Donna Anna
G. Puccini, “Madama Butterfly” Cio-Cio-San
G. Puccini, “Bohema” Mimi
G. Puccini, “Turandot” Liu
G. Rossini, “Il viaggio a Reims” Corinna
I. Strauss, “Die Fledermaus” Rosalinda
P. Tchaikovsky, “Eugene Onegin” Tatiana
P. Tchaikovsky, “Iolanta” Iolanta
G. Verdi, “Traviata” Violetta