Russian and Italian Romanticism Bootcamp
Second Edition with Vocal Coach Alexander Naoumenko
We are thrilled to announce the second masterclass of our Belcanto Bootcamp series, proudly supported by Hughes and Modoni. This exciting edition will feature the renowned Russian tenor, Alexander Naoumenko, vocal coach at the Royal Ballet and Opera in London.
About Alexander Naoumenko
Alexander Naoumenko, also known as Sasha, was born in Lipetsk, Russia. After graduating from the Lipetsk College of Music, he pursued advanced studies at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory under the mentorship of the prolific Georgian tenor Zurab Sotkilava. He furthered his training at the Moscow Opera Studio and attended master classes with celebrated artists such as Alfredo Kraus, Renata Scotto, Renato Capecchi, Ernst Haefliger, Nancy Evans, and Aldo Baldin.
During his time in Moscow, Naoumenko performed prominent roles, including Podholusin in The Marriage at the Bolshoi Theatre, Alfredo in La Traviata, Lensky in Eugene Onegin, and Don Giovanni in The Stone Guest at the Moscow Conservatory Bolshoi Hall. In 1991, he made his American debut at San Francisco's War Memorial Opera House, playing Platon Karataev in War and Peace under the baton of Valery Gergiev.
After relocating to the UK, Naoumenko continued his distinguished career with the English National Opera, where he portrayed roles such as Dr. Caius in Falstaff under Mark Elder and Ladislav in The Two Widows. His European engagements include roles like Cavaradossi in Tosca with European Chamber Opera, Fenton in Falstaff with English Touring Opera, Don Jose in Carmen at the Chelmsford Festival, and Misail in Boris Godunov with Opera Ireland conducted by Alexander Anisimov.
Naoumenko has also graced German stages, performing the role of Mozart in Mozart and Salieri and other notable roles in productions like War and Peace and Strauss's Friedenstag at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam under Edo de Waart. He has recorded Rothschild's Violin (Fleishman/Shostakovich) with Melodiya Records and the Complete Songs of Rachmaninov with Chandos Records alongside Howard Shelley, Joan Rodgers, Maria Popescu, and Sergei Leiferkus.
Currently, Alexander Naoumenko serves as a vocal coach at the prestigious Royal Opera House in London, where he continues to impart his extensive knowledge and experience to the next generation of opera singers.
About the Masterclass
This masterclass is designed for 8 young professional singers and 4 répétiteurs, who will also be invited to perform at Opera Gala on February 16th at 11,30am, in the main auditorium of Conway Hall. Each participant will have the unique opportunity to work with Maestro Naoumenko (Sasha) for an hour on both an Italian operatic aria or scene and a Russian one of their choice, focusing on vocal technique, language, and the stylistics of Italian bel canto, verismo, and Russian opera traditions. Each répétiteur will be assigned to 2 singers, at the panel's discretion.
Key Details:
Dates: Friday, February 14th, and Saturday, February 15th
Location: The Library at Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion St. WC1R 4RL
Opera Gala: Sunday, February 16th, main auditorium Conwat Hall, 11.30am