MUFFLED VOICES
International Festival of Contemporary Chamber Opera by Women Composers
Season 2023-2024
We are thrilled that our Muffled Voices festival has been named a finalist for the International & European Association Award in the category of Best New Event and winner of the Global Recognition Award 2024 for its exceptional contributions to the global classical music scene, particularly in promoting underrepresented voices.
This recognition honors the dedication of our team and the innovative spirit of our productions. Being recognized on a global stage reinforces our commitment to excellence in the performing arts and our mission to bring groundbreaking, inspiring music to audiences worldwide.
For centuries, the field of music composition was dominated by men. However, this is gradually changing as more women composers emerge on the musical stage, creating fascinating and unique works that have earned them numerous prestigious awards. Today, some of these women are recognized for their collaborations with the film industry, and their music is widely popular on various streaming platforms.
In the 2023-2024 music season, Lyrica Classic, in collaboration with the publishing house "Shostakoviches and Stravinskys" and the contemporary music project "Music of Our Time," launched the inaugural international festival of contemporary opera by women composers, titled "Muffled Voices."
From February to July 2024, over the course of seven evenings, ten operas by Russian and American women composers—many of which were entirely new to Russian audiences—were presented at prestigious venues in Moscow, Yaroslavl, Tula, and Saint Petersburg. These performances featured soloists from renowned institutions such as the Bolshoi Theatre, the Metropolitan Opera, the Stanislavsky Theatre, Carnegie Hall, the Mariinsky Theatre, La Scala, Novaya Opera, Helikon Opera, and others. The stage productions were brought to life by director Elizaveta Korneeva, known for her work in Russia and Europe, along with other emerging Russian directors.
The "Muffled Voices" Festival is the first international project of its kind, dedicated to supporting and recognizing the contributions of women in classical music. The inaugural season was a tribute to the memory and 80th anniversary of composer Tatiana Chudova. Chudova, the only woman in her cohort at the Moscow Conservatory's composition department, mentored generations of composers and authored over 500 works throughout her life, which she devoted to teaching at her alma mater. Four of the ten operas featured in the festival were composed by her.
“The festival is unique not only in celebrating the great contributions of Tatiana Chudova but also in raising the important issue of the role and talents of women composers in musical history,” says Yulia Petrachuk, founder and artistic director of Lyrica Classic and producer of the festival. “The contemporary opera premieres, alongside collaborations with outstanding directors and artists, make this musical event a unique bridge between the past and the future, emphasizing that talent knows no gender boundaries.”
The festival not only pays tribute to women composers but also seeks to shine a light on chamber opera as a genre capable of delicately revealing the deepest aspects of the human soul.
We invite you to embark on a musical journey where boundaries dissolve, and the voices of women composers resound loudly and clearly. The "Muffled Voices" Festival is not just about music; it’s a statement that celebrates the profound contributions of women to the world of classical music.
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Live broadcast recordings of festival performances are available on our YouTube channel!
FESTIVAL'S PROGRAM
Amy Marcy Cheney Beach
"Cabildo"
continental premiere
A one-act opera on libretto by Nan Bagby Stephens about a colonial prison in New Orleans, from which the famous pirate Pierre Lafitte once escaped under mysterious circumstances, written for 7 soloists, a chorus and a piano trio.
Missy Mazzoli
"Proving Up"
continental premiere
A one-act horror opera to a libretto by Royce Vavrek for 6 soloists, 7 guitars and chamber orchestra. The story, based on a short story by Karen Russell, examines the dark side of the American Dream through the tragic fate of a pioneer family from Nebraska in 1870.
Anne LeBaron
"Blue Calls Set You Free"
world premiere
A one-act jazz opera based on the iconic Greek legend of Orpheus and Eurydice for 7 soloists, jazz ensemble and electronic sound.
This opera, to a libretto by Thulani Davis, reimagines the Orpheus myth in a modern American setting, blending jazz, blues, and electronic music. Eurydice chooses not to return with Orpheus, embracing the power of her own disembodied voice and artistic freedom in the Underworld.
Tatiana Chudova
"Russian Women"
world premiere
A musical composition in ten scenes for two soloists and piano based on poems by N. Nekrasov, A. Pushkin and the Decembrist. It's a poignant opera dialogue about the wives of Decembrists, Trubetskoy and Volkonskaya, who follow their husbands to Siberia for exile.
Tatiana Chudova
"Tatiana's Dream"
world premiere
Mono-mini opera for soprano, quintet and electronic sound.
The Dream of Tatyana Larina is the most mystical and symbolic episode of the famous novel "Eugene Onegin" by A.S. Pushkin. Tatyana falls asleep with a mirror under her pillow and dreams that she finds herself in the company of a bear, strange creatures, and Onegin. In the end, Evgeny kills his friend, Vladimir Lensky. As it turns out, the dream was prophetic.
Tatiana Chudova
"Professor Dowell's Head"
world premiere
It's a fantasy mini-mono-opera for bass-baritone and piano, based on the 1925 science fiction and horror story by Russian author Alexander Belyaev. The story, which was later expanded into a novel, centers on a scientist whose head is kept alive after death.
Tatiana Chudova
"Von Meck - Tchaikovsky"
world premiere
A one-act epistolary opera for four soloists and symphony orchestra. The opera is based on the letters between composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and the renowned philanthropist Nadezhda Filaretovna von Meck. The opera explores the duality of its characters by revealing not only the content of their correspondence but also their true thoughts during these exchanges, as expressed in their diaries. Consequently, each character has two distinct voices—an internal and an external one.
Alina Debykova
"Zhdana"
world premiere
A one-act haunting mini-opera for two soloists, two dancers, choir and a piano quintet based on a tale by Alexey Nebykov.
The story revolves around a family secret and curse that hinders the happiness of a girl living alone in an abandoned village.
Anna Kuzmina
"Dreams and Not Dreams"
world premiere
Mono-opera based on poems by Marina Tsvetaeva for soprano, choir and symphony orchestra. The action takes place at night, some numbers are reality, some are dreams. Through thoughts of loneliness and nightmares, the heroine eventually comes to the light.
Alina Podzorova
"Periodic Table"
St. Petersburg premiere
One-act parable opera for 4 soloists and chamber ensemble based on the book of the same name by Primo Levi about the experience of a hero on the verge of life and death in a concentration camp.
The story follows the life of a scientist who is dedicated to his work and his love but is forced to witness people disappearing in gas chambers beside him. Although chemistry as a science offered hope of unraveling the structure of the Universe, it failed to explain why humans tend to destroy each other.
ARTICLES
'Muffled Voices' Brings American and Russian Women Composers to the Forefront
Press-release
"My goal is to create a fair space for all talented musicians."
Interview with producer Yulia Petrachuk
Muffled Voices Sounded Bright: Two Modern Operas Premiered at Helikon
Newspaper Culture
LIVE BROADCASTS
July 16, 2024
Hermitage Theater
- Dreams and Not Dreams
- Von Meck-Tchaikovsky
June 22, 2024
Boris Eifman Theatre
- Proving Up
June 22, 2024
Boris Eifman Theatre
- The Periodic Table
May 28, 2024
Helikon-Opera Theater
- Zhdana
- Proving Up
April 24, 2024
Tula Concert Hall
- Blue Calls Set You Free
April 19, 2024
Yaroslavl House of Culture
- Russian Women
- Cabildo
April 15, 2024
Zaryadye Hall
- Tatiana's Dream
- Professor Dowell's Head
February 7, 2024
Moscow House of Music
- Tatiana's Dream
- Russian Women
- Cabildo
PRODUCERS & PARTNERS
Yulia Petrachuk
Festival producer and art-director of Lyrica Classic
Renowned for her dynamic presence in the classical music realm, Yulia Petrachuk is a Russian-American operatic soprano, an esteemed producer, and the creative force behind Lyrica Classic Entertainment. She takes pride in her role as the artistic director and producer of the notable contemporary classical music festival "Spread New Music to the World" and the innovative "Muffled Voices Festival," which showcases contemporary opera by female composers.
An alumna with honors from the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Russia and the Bern University of the Arts in Switzerland, Petrachuk made her international debut in 2010 at the Bern State Theatre with her performance in Prokofiev's "The Love for Three Oranges." Her artistic journey has led her to perform in prestigious venues across the globe, including Theater Biel, Ash Lawn Opera Festival, Dicapo Opera Theater and Carnegie Hall in New York, Opera Camerata in Washington, D.C., Smetana Hall in Prague, Musikverein and Wiener Konzerthaus in Vienna, among many others.
Petrachuk's repertoire of lyric soprano extends beyond the traditional, delving into contemporary opera and vocal music of the 20th and 21st centuries, with her repertoire featuring world and continental premieres. Notable performances include Vitaly Hubarenko's mono-opera "The Love Letters" and the soprano solo in Emmanuel Dubois's "Requiem for the Fallen" at Carnegie Hall, the titular role in a mono-opera adaptation of Strauss's "Elektra" by Richard Duenser in Austria and Germany, and Volkonskaya in Tatiana Chudova's chamber opera at Moscow International House of Music.
With a passion for elevating lesser-known music, Petrachuk founded Maryland-based nonprofit organization Lyrica Classic Entertainment, quickly receiving international acclaim for its superior music presentations. The company has made significant contributions to the arts, showcasing new and undiscovered works at renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Kauffman Music Center, the Strathmore Hall, the Congress Hall in Graz, the Moscow Catholic Cathedral and International House of Music.
Lyrica Classic's "Spread New Music to the World" festival achieved recognition in 2023, being nominated as "Best Project of the Year" by the International and European Association 2022, a testament to Petrachuk's impactful leadership and dedication to the arts.
Yulia Petrachuk
Lyrica Classic
Producer
Karina Pogosbekova
Pianist and partner
Karina Pogosbekova is a renowned pianist and educator, emerging from Moscow's rich cultural landscape, where she was born into a family celebrated for its scientific achievements, including her father, L. Zhivotovsky, a distinguished scientist and laureate of the National Award of the Russian Federation. A testament to her musical prowess, Pogosbekova excelled at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory, securing a solid foundation in both solo piano and piano accompaniment through her graduate and postgraduate studies. Her commitment to fostering the next generation of musicians is evident in her current role as a piano accompaniment instructor at the same institution.
In the competitive sphere, Pogosbekova's talents have been consistently recognized. She clinched an award for the best classical sonata performance at the Young Talent competition in Vladimir, Russia, in 1992, and went on to capture two Grand Prix at the 1993 Young Artists Competition in Cincinnati – one for her solo program and another for her orchestral concerto performance. Her laureate status was affirmed at Italy's Meranofest in 1994, and later, she earned the Best Accompanist title at Moscow's Levko Vocal Competition in 2008 and at the Inspiration Art Festival.
Pogosbekova's accolades continued with Best Accompanist awards at the First Open National Natalia Spiller Vocal Competition in 2014 and at the International Classical Music Forum in 2017, where she was also recognized for her exceptional contribution to the preparation of participants. In 2020, she was honored with the Best Accompanist award at the inaugural Russian-Chinese competition #Pushkin2020.
Beyond competitions, Pogosbekova is a dynamic concert performer. Her collaborative engagements have seen her share the stage with illustrious operatic talents such as Elena Obraztsova and Hibla Gerzmava, reflecting her versatility and demand as a top-tier accompanist. Notably, she was the regular pianist for the National Artist of the USSR, Zurab Sotkilava, for over a decade. Her diverse projects include coaching for Russia's Channel One production of "Phantom of the Opera," participating in the premiere of M. Matyushin's avant-garde opera "Victory over the Sun," and the world premiere of Ilya Demutsky's opera "Black Square."
Her entrepreneurial spirit led to the inception of the "Music of Our Time" concert project in 2019, which she founded to spotlight contemporary classical vocal music. This initiative has brought more than 50 contemporary composers' works to renowned Russian stages such as the Rachmaninoff and Small Halls of the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory and Moscow Zaryadye Hall, engaging stars and soloists from leading opera houses.
Pogosbekova's expertise extends to adjudicating, where she has served on juries for prestigious competitions including the Renaissance International Competition and Festival in Gyumri, Armenia, the Golden Talent of the Commonwealth of Independent States competition in Russia, and the International Opera Festival "Cantofest" in Portugal, among others.
Her illustrious career not only illustrates her exceptional talent and dedication to the performance and teaching of piano accompaniment but also highlights her influence on the advancement and appreciation of contemporary classical music on the international stage.
Karina Pogosbekova
"Music of Our Time"
Music Director
Alina Nebykova
Russian composer, Chairman of the Council of the Union of Composers of Eurasia, producer, Candidate of Legal Sciences, head of the label and publishing house of modern academic music “Shostakovich and Stravinsky”
Alina Nebikova is a distinguished graduate of the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory's Composition Department, having studied under the tutelage of Professor T. Chudova. She further enriched her academic background by attending the Institute of Italian Culture and completing her law education with both an undergraduate and postgraduate degree from the Law Faculty at Lomonosov Moscow State University, specializing in entrepreneurial law.
Her commitment to continuous learning and international collaboration is highlighted by her participation in masterclasses with notable composers such as Francesco Filidei from Italy, Rafael Cendo from France, Mattias Steinauer from Switzerland, and James Clapperton who has ties to Scotland and Norway.
An accomplished composer, Nebikova has a prolific catalog of academic compositions spanning a variety of genres. In 2020, she established the "Shostakovich and Stravinskys" publishing house, dedicated to the dissemination and promotion of contemporary academic music.
Nebikova is actively involved in nurturing the next generation of musicians and composers. She contributes as a jury member to several songwriting and composition competitions and serves as a mentor at the KINOREX festival, which supports young directors and composers. She also holds a position on the expert council for the national "Partitura" composer's competition.
As an educator, Nebikova shares her expertise by teaching composition and theoretical subjects. She has also distinguished herself as an interviewer, conducting a series of interviews with outstanding figures in culture, for which she was awarded the "In Search of Truth and Justice" annual literary prize in the category of Young Journalism in Russia in 2022.
Beyond her educational and compositional endeavors, Nebikova has organized over 200 concerts that span both popular and academic music genres. She has played a pivotal role as a musical editor for significant classical art projects of federal importance.
Her contributions to ballet are exemplified by her music being featured in premieres at the Bolshoi Theatre, performed by leading soloists such as Ivan Vasilyev and Artemiy Belyakov, prima ballerina Darya Khokhlova, and world champion aerial gymnast A. Burdina.
Nebikova's melodeclamations, a synthesis of spoken word and symphonic music, have been presented by a host of esteemed Russian actors, further showcasing her versatility as a composer.
In the realm of vocal music, her compositions are performed by renowned opera singers including Agunda Kulaeva of the Bolshoi Theatre and Honored Artist of Russia Askar Abdrazakov. Her chamber, choral, and orchestral works are interpreted by prestigious ensembles such as the "New Russia" Symphony Orchestra under Y. Bashmet and the State Kremlin Symphony Orchestra under K. Chudovsky.
Extending her influence to popular music, Nebikova is the founder and creative force behind the Sattva Project, for which she is also the producer and sole composer. Her skills in arrangement and orchestration have been applied to popular music, and she has produced for domestic music stars, composed for film and television projects, and written songs for both Russian and international performers. Her extensive contributions to both the classical and contemporary music scenes underscore her status as a versatile and influential figure in the world of music.
Alina Nebykova
"Shostakoviches & Stravinskyes"
Collaborator
Alina Nebykova
Russian composer, Chairman of the Council of the Union of Composers of Eurasia, producer, Candidate of Legal Sciences, head of the label and publishing house of modern academic music “Shostakovich and Stravinsky”
Alina Nebikova is a distinguished graduate of the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory's Composition Department, having studied under the tutelage of Professor T. Chudova. She further enriched her academic background by attending the Institute of Italian Culture and completing her law education with both an undergraduate and postgraduate degree from the Law Faculty at Lomonosov Moscow State University, specializing in entrepreneurial law.
Her commitment to continuous learning and international collaboration is highlighted by her participation in masterclasses with notable composers such as Francesco Filidei from Italy, Rafael Cendo from France, Mattias Steinauer from Switzerland, and James Clapperton who has ties to Scotland and Norway.
An accomplished composer, Nebikova has a prolific catalog of academic compositions spanning a variety of genres. In 2020, she established the "Shostakovich and Stravinskys" publishing house, dedicated to the dissemination and promotion of contemporary academic music.
Nebikova is actively involved in nurturing the next generation of musicians and composers. She contributes as a jury member to several songwriting and composition competitions and serves as a mentor at the KINOREX festival, which supports young directors and composers. She also holds a position on the expert council for the national "Partitura" composer's competition.
As an educator, Nebikova shares her expertise by teaching composition and theoretical subjects. She has also distinguished herself as an interviewer, conducting a series of interviews with outstanding figures in culture, for which she was awarded the "In Search of Truth and Justice" annual literary prize in the category of Young Journalism in Russia in 2022.
Beyond her educational and compositional endeavors, Nebikova has organized over 200 concerts that span both popular and academic music genres. She has played a pivotal role as a musical editor for significant classical art projects of federal importance.
Her contributions to ballet are exemplified by her music being featured in premieres at the Bolshoi Theatre, performed by leading soloists such as Ivan Vasilyev and Artemiy Belyakov, prima ballerina Darya Khokhlova, and world champion aerial gymnast A. Burdina.
Nebikova's melodeclamations, a synthesis of spoken word and symphonic music, have been presented by a host of esteemed Russian actors, further showcasing her versatility as a composer.
In the realm of vocal music, her compositions are performed by renowned opera singers including Agunda Kulaeva of the Bolshoi Theatre and Honored Artist of Russia Askar Abdrazakov. Her chamber, choral, and orchestral works are interpreted by prestigious ensembles such as the "New Russia" Symphony Orchestra under Y. Bashmet and the State Kremlin Symphony Orchestra under K. Chudovsky.
Extending her influence to popular music, Nebikova is the founder and creative force behind the Sattva Project, for which she is also the producer and sole composer. Her skills in arrangement and orchestration have been applied to popular music, and she has produced for domestic music stars, composed for film and television projects, and written songs for both Russian and international performers. Her extensive contributions to both the classical and contemporary music scenes underscore her status as a versatile and influential figure in the world of music.
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