Debuts in La bohème

Scene from the opera La bohème

Mariinsky Opera Company soloist Viktoria Yastrebova has a sensual, lyric and dramatic soprano voice, charisma and a strong stage presence. Critics have spoken of the “enchanting expressiveness” of her voice as well as her ability to convey a broad range of emotions, ranging from tenderness to great passion. London’s The Times has referred to Yastrebova as a “second Anna Netrebko” with a “dense and intense powerful soprano voice.” Last season the singer made her debut at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan in Tosca.

Alexei Markov will be performing the role of the artist Marcello, Rodolfo’s friend who is in love with the beautiful coquette Musetta for the first time. To date, his repertoire at the Mariinsky Theatre has mainly consisted of operas by Verdi and Russian composers, in which he appears to unfailing acclaim and makes “the biggest impression with his warm, velvet-like timbre and beautifully rich legato phrasing” (Opera Britannia).

The performance on 28 October will also see the debuts of Yuri Vorobiev as Colline and Mariinsky Academy of Young Singers soloist Grigor Werner as Schaunard.