Julia Lezhneva

  • Soprano

General management

Julia Lezhneva © Ksenia Zasetskaya

"... sublime cantilenas with ornaments woven in like silver threads, trampoline-springing staccati and evenly swinging trills ... Even more haunting, how she knew how to use the messa di voce, the rising and falling of the tone, as an expression of emotional tremor." (FAZ, May 2021) The Süddeutsche Zeitung sees her as a "...magician: she can almost make her voice disappear, performing the most ludicrous vocal feats and garland fireworks".

Julia Lezhneva's international career began with a bang when she caused a sensation in 2010 at the Classical Brit Awards in London's Royal Albert Hall with Rossini's Fra il padre at the invitation of Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.

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Just a decade later, she is discovering a broad repertoire with various orchestras, conductors, operas and oratorios. She made her highly successful debuts with the Berliner Philharmoniker in October 2019 and at the Musikverein Vienna in December 2019. She returned to the Mozartwoche Salzburg in January 2020, this time under Sir András Schiff in Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro; in January 2023 she sang in Don Giovanni. In June 2023, she appeared for the first time at La Scala in Milan in Porpora's Carlo il Calvo.

In December 2020, she made her celebrated debut with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Herbert Blomstedt. Her debuts with the LA Philharmonic and Atlanta Symphony are on her calendar for the 2024/25 season.

Orchestras such as the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin (RSB), the Orquestra Nacional de España, the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, the Kaohsiung Philharmonic and the Seoul Philharmonic regularly invite Julia Lezhneva and she regularly works with renowned conductors such as Adam Fischer, Giovanni Antonini, Herbert Blomstedt, Emmanuelle Haïm, Paavo Järvi, Vladimir Jurowski and Andrea Marcon.

Julia Lezhneva is a welcome guest at the Salzburg Festival, the Schwetzingen Festival, the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, the Lucerne Festival, the Dubrovnik Festival, the Festival de la Vézère, the Sion Festival, the Nordland Music Festival and at Bayreuth Baroque.

Julia Lezhneva's debut in Handel's Alcina (Morgana) at the Hamburg State Opera in September 2018 was celebrated to great acclaim and she was immediately invited back for Rossini's Il barbiere di Siviglia and further performances of Alcina. In 2021, she sang the role of Poppea in a new production of Handel's Agrippina (stage director: by Barrie Kosky), in 2022 Zerlina in Don Giovanni and in May 2024 she will sing Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro. Before that, she will make her debut at the Liceo in Barcelona in March 2024 in a staged performance of Handel's Messiah.

In winter 2019, she made her debut in Bach's Christmas Oratorio (conducted by Vladimir Jurowski); in the same season, she sang in Handel's Messiah and La Resurrezione, Vivaldi's Juditha triumphans; as well as Haydn's Creation and Mahler's Symphony No. 4. In October 2024, she will appear for the first time with Ton Koopman and the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra and Choir in Handel's Esther.

Born in 1989 in a family of geophysicists on Sakhalin Island off the Pacific Coast of Russia, Ms. Lezhneva began playing piano and singing at the age of five. She graduated from the Gretchaninov Music School and continued her vocal and piano studies at the Moscow Conservatory Academic Music College. At 17 she came to international attention as the winner of the Elena Obraztsova Opera Singers Competition, and was invited to share the stage with Juan Diego Flórez at the opening of the Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro in the following year. In 2009, she won first prize at the Mirjam Helin International Singing Competition in Helsinki and the following year took first prize at the Paris International Opera Competition, as the youngest contestant in each competition’s history. Opernwelt magazine named her “Young Singer of the Year” in 2011 for her debut at La Monnaie in Brussels. The following year she performed at the Victoires de la Musique Classique in Paris.

Julia Lezhneva’s teachers and mentors include Dennis O’Neill, Yvonne Kenny, Elena Obraztsova, Alberto Zedda, Richard Bonynge and Thomas Quasthoff.

Please use this authorized biography of Weigold & Böhm only, Season 2024/25.

Contacts

Photos

  • Julia Lezhneva, Pavel Nersessian, Oper Budapest © Nagy Attila
  • Julia Lezhneva, Pavel Nersessian, Oper Budapest © Nagy Attila
  • Julia Lezhneva, Pavel Nersessian, Oper Budapest © Nagy Attila
  • Julia Lezhneva © Ksenia Zasetskaya
  • Julia Lezhneva © Ksenia Zasetskaya
  • Julia Lezhneva © Ksenia Zasetskaya
  • Carlo Il Calvo © Falk von Traubenberg
  • Carlo Il Calvo © Falk von Traubenberg
  • Carlo Il Calvo © Falk von Traubenberg
  • ALCINA 2018 © Staatsoper Hamburg - Hans Joerg Michel
  • Lezhneva1© Emil Matveev
  • Julia Lezhneva © Ksenia Zasetskaya

News

Lezhneva1© Emil Matveev

Julia Lezhneva - to die for!

Bayreuth Baroque 2023 - Julia Lezhneva und Max Cencic © Clemens Manser

Live broadcast of Handel's "Flavio, Re de' Langobardi" with Julia Lezhneva and Concerto Köln in Bayreuth on 17.09.23

Julia Lezhneva © Ksenia Zasetskaya

Synopsis of press reviews - Julia Lezhneva in CARLO IL CALVO and IL POLIFEMO

Julia Lezhneva, Pavel Nersessian, Oper Budapest © Nagy Attila

Julia Lezhneva and Pavel Nersessian inspire with their duo programme in Bonn and Budapest.

Julia Lezhneva © Ksenia Zasetskaya

Julia Lezhneva in Handel's Il Trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno at ARTE TV

Julia Lezhneva © Ksenia Zasetskaya

Great night for Lezhneva! Julia Lezhneva as Fiordiligi at the TCE in Paris

Julia Lezhneva © Ksenia Zasetskaya

Julia Lezhneva with the Berlin Philharmonic

„Weigold & Böhm“ - artists in German Top 20 Classical Charts

Julia Lezhneva © Ksenia Zasetskaya

Julia Lezhneva at the Salzburger Mozartwoche

Lezhneva1© Emil Matveev

Great - Julia Lezhneva with Dmitry Sinkovsky, Luca Pianca and La Voce Strumentale in Berlin

Concerto Köln ©WarsawPhilharmonic

Julia Lezhneva and Concerto Köln provide „one of the most beautiful evenings in the life of a music enthusiast“ at the Schwetzinger SWR Festspiele

Concerts

  • Julia Lezhneva

    Hamburg, 6:00 pm

    Details
    Tickets

    Partner(s):

    Il Conte d'Almaviva - Jacques Imbrailo La Contessa d'Almaviva - Ruzan Mantashyan Susanna - Katharina Konradi Figaro - Krzysztof Bączyk Cherubino - Julia Lezhneva Marcellina - Claire Gascoin Don Basilio - Jürgen Sacher Don Curzio - Peter Galliard Don Bartolo - Hubert Kowalczyk Antonio - Liam James Karai Barbarina - Olivia Boen

    Orchestra:

    Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg

    Conductor:

    Louis Lohraseb

    Program:

    Mozart: Oper Le Nozze di Figaro KV 492

    Location:

    Staatsoper Hamburg

    Organizer:

    https://www.hamburgische-staatsoper.de

  • Julia Lezhneva

    Hamburg, 7:00 pm

    Details
    Tickets

    Partner(s):

    Il Conte d'Almaviva - Jacques Imbrailo La Contessa d'Almaviva - Ruzan Mantashyan Susanna - Katharina Konradi Figaro - Krzysztof Bączyk Cherubino - Julia Lezhneva Marcellina - Claire Gascoin Don Basilio - Jürgen Sacher Don Curzio - Peter Galliard Don Bartolo - Hubert Kowalczyk Antonio - Liam James Karai Barbarina - Olivia Boen

    Orchestra:

    Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg

    Conductor:

    Louis Lohraseb

    Program:

    Mozart: Oper Le Nozze di Figaro KV 492

    Location:

    Staatsoper Hamburg

    Organizer:

    https://www.hamburgische-staatsoper.de

  • Julia Lezhneva

    Hamburg, 5:00 pm

    Details
    Tickets

    Partner(s):

    Il Conte d'Almaviva - Jacques Imbrailo La Contessa d'Almaviva - Ruzan Mantashyan Susanna - Katharina Konradi Figaro - Krzysztof Bączyk Cherubino - Julia Lezhneva Marcellina - Claire Gascoin Don Basilio - Jürgen Sacher Don Curzio - Peter Galliard Don Bartolo - Hubert Kowalczyk Antonio - Liam James Karai Barbarina - Olivia Boen

    Orchestra:

    Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg

    Conductor:

    Louis Lohraseb

    Program:

    Mozart: Oper Le Nozze di Figaro KV 492

    Location:

    Staatsoper Hamburg

    Organizer:

    https://www.hamburgische-staatsoper.de

  • Julia Lezhneva, Concerto Köln

    Tonhalle Zürich, Grosser Saal, 7:30 pm

    Details
    Tickets

    Orchestra:

    Concerto Köln

    Program:

    Graun: Sinfonie für Streicher und B.c. B-Dur Mennicke 83 Henzel A. XII:27 Porpora: In caelo stelle clare fulgescant (Motette) Vivaldi: Concerto - für Streicher und B.c. c-moll RV 120 Händel: Parto, si; ma non so poi Arie der Emilia aus Flavio, Re de Longobardi HWV 16 Händel: Brilla nell'alma Arie der Rossane aus Alessandro HWV 21 Pause: PAUSE Vivaldi: Ouvertüre aus der Oper L'Olimpiade RV 725 Vivaldi: Zeffiretti, che sussurrate Arie der Ippolita aus Ercole sul Termodonte RV 749.21 (aus Foà 28) Händel: Un pensiero nemico di pace aus Il Trionfo el Tempo e del disiganno HWV 46a Vivaldi: Concerto La tempesta di mare- für Flöte, Streicher und B.c. F-Dur RV 433 op. 10/ 1 La tempesta di mare Graun: Senza di te mio bene A-Dur Arie der Volumina aus der Oper Coriolano Vivaldi: Agitata da due venti (aus der Oper La Griselda RV 718)

    Location:

    Tonhalle Gesellschaft Zürich

    Organizer:

    https://www.hochuli-konzert.ch

  • Julia Lezhneva

    Singapore, 5:00 pm

    Details
    Tickets

    Partner(s):

    Pavel Nersessian

    Program:

    Händel: Rejoice greatly, o daughter of Zion Nr. 18 Arie für Sopran aus dem Messiah Händel: Rezitativ ŽŽCarmelitarumŽŽ und Aria ŽŽO nox dulcis, quies serenaŽŽ HWV 240 aus der Motette ŽŽSaeviat tellus inter rigiresŽŽ per Canto solo con Vivaldi: Sposa son disprezzata, Arie aus der Oper Bajazet f-Moll RV 703 Händel: Un pensiero nemico di pace aus Il Trionfo el Tempo e del disiganno HWV 46a Rameau: Les Cyclopes Händel: Credete al mio dolore aus Alcina Vivaldi: ŽŽAgitata da due ventiŽŽ (aus der Oper ŽŽLa GriseldaŽŽ RV 718) Pause: PAUSE Schumann: Liederkreis Op. 39 nach Gedichten von Joseph von Eichendorff Schumann: Arabeske C-Dur op. 18 Rossini: La regata veneziana

    Location:

    Victoria Concert Hall

    Organizer:

    https://www.sso.org.sg/

  • Julia Lezhneva

    Taipeh

    Details

    Partner(s):

    Pavel Nersessian

    Program:

    Händel: Rejoice greatly, o daughter of Zion Nr. 18 Arie für Sopran aus dem Messiah Händel: Rezitativ ŽŽCarmelitarumŽŽ und Aria ŽŽO nox dulcis, quies serenaŽŽ HWV 240 aus der Motette ŽŽSaeviat tellus inter rigiresŽŽ per Canto solo con Vivaldi: Sposa son disprezzata, Arie aus der Oper Bajazet f-Moll RV 703 Händel: Un pensiero nemico di pace aus Il Trionfo el Tempo e del disiganno HWV 46a Rameau: Les Cyclopes Händel: Credete al mio dolore aus Alcina Vivaldi: ŽŽAgitata da due ventiŽŽ (aus der Oper ŽŽLa GriseldaŽŽ RV 718) Pause: PAUSE Schumann: Liederkreis Op. 39 nach Gedichten von Joseph von Eichendorff Schumann: Arabeske C-Dur op. 18 Rossini: La regata veneziana

    Location:

    National Concert Hall Taipei

    Organizer:

    http://www.ntch.edu.tw/nso/

  • Julia Lezhneva

    Hongkong, 8:00 pm

    Details
    Tickets

    Partner(s):

    Pavel Nersessian

    Program:

    Händel: Rejoice greatly, o daughter of Zion Nr. 18 Arie für Sopran aus dem Messiah Händel: Rezitativ ŽŽCarmelitarumŽŽ und Aria ŽŽO nox dulcis, quies serenaŽŽ HWV 240 aus der Motette ŽŽSaeviat tellus inter rigiresŽŽ per Canto solo con Vivaldi: Sposa son disprezzata, Arie aus der Oper Bajazet f-Moll RV 703 Händel: Un pensiero nemico di pace aus Il Trionfo el Tempo e del disiganno HWV 46a Rameau: Les Cyclopes Händel: Credete al mio dolore aus Alcina Vivaldi: ŽŽAgitata da due ventiŽŽ (aus der Oper ŽŽLa GriseldaŽŽ RV 718) Pause: PAUSE Schumann: Liederkreis Op. 39 nach Gedichten von Joseph von Eichendorff Schumann: Arabeske C-Dur op. 18 Rossini: La regata veneziana

    Location:

    The University of Hongkong HKU

  • Julia Lezhneva

    Hamburg, 11:00 am

    Details
    Tickets

    Orchestra:

    Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg

    Conductor:

    Adam Fischer

    Program:

    Haydn: Berenice, che fai? Hob 24:10 - Solokantate Mahler: Sinfonie Nr. 4 G-Dur (mit Sopransolo im 4. Satz)

    Location:

    Elbphilharmonie

    Organizer:

    https://www.philharmoniker-hamburg.de

  • Julia Lezhneva

    Hamburg, 8:00 pm

    Details
    Tickets

    Orchestra:

    Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg

    Conductor:

    Adam Fischer

    Program:

    Haydn: Berenice, che fai? Hob 24:10 - Solokantate Mahler: Sinfonie Nr. 4 G-Dur (mit Sopransolo im 4. Satz)

    Location:

    Elbphilharmonie

    Organizer:

    https://www.philharmoniker-hamburg.de

Projects

  • Kammerorchester Basel – Julia Lezhneva (Sopran)

    Mermaids

    Details

    Program:

    Werke von Händel, Bononcini, Porpora, Sarro und Vinci

    Contact:

  • Concerto Köln (18 Musiker) – Julia Lezhneva (Sopran)

    Stürme und Sterne

    Details

    Program:

    Johann Gottlieb Graun - Sinfonie für Streicher und B.c. B-Dur Mennicke 83 Henzel A.XII:27
    Nicola Antonio Porpora -"In caelo stelle clare fulgescant" (Motette)
    Antonio Vivaldi - Concerto - für Streicher und B.c. G-Dur RV 120
    Carl Heinrich Graun -"Senza di te mio bene" A-Dur Arie der Volumina aus der Oper Coriolano
    Carl Heinrich Graun - "No, no, di Libia fra l´arene", Arie des Postumio aus Silla (Akt II Szene 6) c-moll WV B:I:27
    Antonio Vivaldi - Ouvertüre aus der Oper L´Olimpiade RV 725
    Antonio Vivaldi - ´´Zeffiretti, che sussurrate´´ Arie der Ippolita aus "Ercole sul Termodonte" RV 749.21 (aus Foà 28)
    Georg Friedrich Händel - "Un pensiero nemico di pace" aus "Il Trionfo el Tempo e del disiganno" HWV 46a
    Antonio Vivaldi - Concerto "La tempesta di mare"- für Flöte, Streicher und B.c. F-Dur RV 433 op. 10/ 1 ´´La tempesta di mare´´
    Georg Friedrich Händel - "Brilla nell´alma" Arie der Rossane aus "Alessandro" HWV 21

    Contact:

  • Kammerorchester Basel – Julia Lezhneva (Sopran)

    Mermaids

    Details

    Program:

    Werke von Händel, Bononcini, Porpora, Sarro und Vinci

    Contact:

  • La Cetra Barockorchester Basel – Andrea Marcon (Leitung & Cembalo) - Julia Lezhneva (Sopran) - Valer Sabadus (Countertenor)

    La Cetra & Friends

    Details

    Program:

    G. F. Händel - Ouvertüre zur Oper «Ariodante»
    G. F. Händel - «Un pensiero nemico di pace» aus «Il Trionfo del Tempo e del disinganno»
    A. Vivaldi - «Gelido in ogni vento» aus der Oper «Farnace»
    Oder G. F. Händel - «Crude furie degli orridi abissi» aus der Oper «Serse»
    A. Vivaldi - Concerto per 2 violoncelli g-moll
    G. F. Händel - «Il voler nel fior degli anni», Duett Bellezza & Piacere aus «Il Trionfo del Tempo e del disinganno»
    A. Vivaldi - «Zeffiretti, che susurrate», Arie aus «La fida ninfa»
    A. Vivaldi - Concerto per 2 oboi
    A. Vivaldi - «Vedrò con mio diletto» aus der Oper «Giustino»
    PAUSE
    F. Geminiani - La Follia
    G . F. Händel - «Venti turbini», Arie des Rinaldo aus der Oper «Rinaldo»
    A. Vivaldi - «Agitata da due venti» aus «La Griselda»
    G. F. Händel - «Caro! Bella!», Duett aus der Oper: «Giulio Cesare»

    Contact:

  • La Cetra Barockorchester Basel – Andrea Marcon (Leitung & Cembalo) - Julia Lezhneva (Sopran) - Valer Sabadus (Countertenor)

    La Cetra & Friends

    Details

    Program:

    G. F. Händel - Ouvertüre zur Oper «Ariodante»
    G. F. Händel - «Un pensiero nemico di pace» aus «Il Trionfo del Tempo e del disinganno»
    A. Vivaldi - «Gelido in ogni vento» aus der Oper «Farnace»
    Oder G. F. Händel - «Crude furie degli orridi abissi» aus der Oper «Serse»
    A. Vivaldi - Concerto per 2 violoncelli g-moll
    G. F. Händel - «Il voler nel fior degli anni», Duett Bellezza & Piacere aus «Il Trionfo del Tempo e del disinganno»
    A. Vivaldi - «Zeffiretti, che susurrate», Arie aus «La fida ninfa»
    A. Vivaldi - Concerto per 2 oboi
    A. Vivaldi - «Vedrò con mio diletto» aus der Oper «Giustino»
    ---
    F. Geminiani - La Follia
    G . F. Händel - «Venti turbini», Arie des Rinaldo aus der Oper «Rinaldo»
    A. Vivaldi - «Agitata da due venti» aus «La Griselda»
    G. F. Händel - «Caro! Bella!», Duett aus der Oper: «Giulio Cesare»

    Contact:

All projects

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Biography 2024/2025