SATURDAY
DECEMBER 28, AT 8:30PM
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Holy Virgin Mary
MAGNIFICAT
Concert of Christmas choral music by contemporary composers
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Holy Virgin Mary
Lyrica Classic, in collaboration with the “De Boni Arte” charitable foundation, presents a one-of-a-kind concert reimagining the timeless traditions of Christmas through contemporary musical compositions. This program blends classical roots with modern elements, offering a soul-stirring celebration that reflects the deep spiritual meaning of Christmas.
The concert will feature premieres that bridge the past and present, enveloping audiences in the radiant joy of Christmas.
This event promises a unique musical experience where tradition and innovation harmonize, expanding the horizons of Christmas music. The program seeks to inspire seasoned classical enthusiasts and young listeners alike, showing that spiritual truths can resonate in fresh, contemporary forms, retaining their timeless relevance.
Program duration:
90 minutes without intermission
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Concert Program
Patrick Brill - “Magnificat”, op. 31
oratorio for orchestra, organ, and choir
A majestic choral and orchestral work that reimagines the Canticle of Mary from the Gospel of Luke. Magnificat draws on elements of Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, and Romantic traditions while offering a completely original musical experience. This powerful piece invites audiences to connect with the timeless beauty of sacred music, blending tradition with new artistic vision in an unforgettable evening.
Performed by:
Conductor
Daiana HOFMAN
Orchestra
New Moscow
Choir
ARIELLE led by Elmira DADASHEVA
Organist
Marina OMELCHENKO
Paul Leavitt - "Cantata Emmanuel"
oratorio for orchestra, organ, choir, and four soloists
This moving piece was commissioned by the Reformation Church in Washington in memory of Beatrice Shelton, an esteemed member of the congregation. Inspired by ten stained-glass windows depicting scenes from Christ's life, Leavitt has transformed these images into musical vignettes, each reflecting key moments of Christian faith. This exquisite work combines choir, orchestra, and four soloists, creating a powerful tapestry of music that shines with the light and spiritual beauty of Christmas.
Performed by:
Conductor
Daiana HOFMAN
Orchestra
NEW MOSCOW
Choir
ARIELLE led by Elmira DADASHEVA
Organist
Marina OMELCHENKO
Soprano
Yulia PETRACHUK
Mezzo-soprano
Aleksandra KOVALEVICH
Tenor
Sergey ABABKIN
Bass
Grigory SOLOVIOV
Composers
Paul Leavitt (1963-)
Paul Leavitt is a distinguished musician and composer, celebrated for his versatility as a concert pianist, organist, and choral conductor. He made his debut at the age of 15 with the Albany Symphony Orchestra under Julius Hegyi's direction. Leavitt earned a Bachelor's Degree from SUNY Purchase and a Master's Degree from the Juilliard School in New York. In 1989, he was a laureate of the International Steinway Competition for Young Talents in Paris, France.
His compositions have been performed internationally, including his "Requiem," which premiered in Washington, D.C., in 2009, followed by performances in Paris and New York. Critics have praised his work; Cecelia Porter of The Washington Post noted that Leavitt's "Requiem should belong in every chorus's repertoire."
Leavitt's "Magnificat" premiered at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., in 2012. His choral works have been featured by ensembles such as the Washington Bach Consort and the Cathedral Choral Society. In 2023, his "Stabat Mater" was commissioned and premiered by the Church of the Reformation in Washington, D.C.
Beyond composing, Leavitt maintains an active teaching studio in the Washington, D.C., area and continues to perform regularly in Europe and the United States.
Patrick Brill (1954-)
Dr. Patrick J. Brill, an American composer from Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN, has crafted a diverse array of classical works, including a cappella sacred pieces, chamber music, and symphonic compositions. His musical journey began with classical guitar lessons at age nine, transitioning to piano as his interest in composition grew. He earned an M.M. in Music History from the University of Northern Iowa, and a Ph.D. in Historical Musicology from the University of Kansas, specializing in medieval and renaissance music.
Dr. Brill's compositions have been performed in various venues. Notably, his "Introduction and Fugue in D Minor" premiered in 2010 with the Rollins College Symphony, and his "Sonata in A Major for Violin and Piano" debuted the same year at Brevard Community College. In 2015, his "Serenade No. 1 for Violin" was showcased by the New Score Chamber Orchestra in Orlando, FL. He has also received commissions, such as the "Grand Overture" for the Florida Young Artists Orchestra in 2010 and "Veni, Veni, Emmanuel" for the Bach Festival Orchestra and Choir of Winter Park, performed during their 2011-2013 Christmas concerts.
Dr. Brill's compositional style reflects a return to Western classical aesthetic principles, drawing inspiration from the Renaissance through the Romantic periods, and continuing this tradition into the 21st century.
Artists
Yulia Petrachuk
Soprano
Russian-American soprano Yulia Petrachuk studied at Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory and is a graduate of Bern Opera Studio in Bern, Switzerland.
Her debut as a professional opera singer was with the State Theater Bern, Switzerland, in 2010. After that, she performed with many other recognized opera companies and concert venues such as Theater Biel (Switzerland), Ash Lawn Opera Festival (US), Opera Ischia (Italy), Dicapo Opera Theater in New York (US), Great Moscow Hall (Russia), Vocal Productions NYC (US), Nova and Opera Camerata in Washington, D.C. (US), Smetana Hall in Prague (Czech Republic), Carnegie Hall in New York (US), Musikverein and Wiener Konzerthaus in Vienna (Austria), and many others. Yulia specializes in contemporary opera and other forms of vocal music of the 20th and 21st centuries. She has performed many World and US premieres.
Out of her passion and drive to sustain and give lesser-known and unknown music a voice, Yulia Petrachuk founded Lyrica Classic Entertainment as a sounding beacon to deliver superior-level presentation of music. Yulia has robust experience in international performing arts projects, execution, and collaborations in the US and EU.
Soprano
Yulia Petrachuk
Aleksandra Kovalevich
Mezzo-soprano
Aleksandra Kovalevich was born in Moscow. She graduated from Moscow State Conservatorium named after P. I. Tchaikovsky (People’s Artist of Russia I. Maslennikova vocal class).
Over the years, Aleksandra participated in opera performances and concerts in the most famous and top venues of Russia (the Bolshoi Theatre, The Great Hall of the Moscow state Conservatoire, the Moscow International Music House, the Zariadie Concert Hall, The Samara’s opera, The Opera of Magnitogorsk, The Opera of Nizhniy Novgorod, The Musical theatre of Omsk), in Estonia (The Birgitta Festival, The Saaremaa opera Festival, The Vanemuine Theatre, The Philharmonic Hall in Tallinn), in Spain (The Liceo Theatre), in France (Opera de Massi), in Italy (The Petruzelli Theatre), in Israel (The Jerusalem Opera Company) in Ukraine (The Kiev’s Philharmonic Hall), in Lituania (The Philharmonic Hall of Vilnius), in Hungary (The Opera Theatre of Miskolc). Her repertoire includes more than 40 opera roles, masses and oratories as well as many romances and songs, ensembles and duets.
Since 2008, Aleksandra Kovalevich is a part of the opera troupe of the Moscow Musical Theatre “The Helikon-Opera”, where she debuted as Rosina (“Il barbiere di Siviglia”, Rossini) and since has developed an extensive repertoire from the title role in Bizet's Carmen to Verdi's Azucena (Il Trovarore) and Amneris (Aida).
Mezzo-soprano
Aleksandra Kovalevich
Sergey Ababkin
Tenor
A graduate of the Saint Petersburg State Conservatory named after N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov (2017), Sergey Ababkin has been studying at the La Scala Theatre Academy since 2019.
He is the laureate of the International Competition "Romansiada" (1st prize, Moscow, 2011), the International Competition named after A. Lo Forese (2nd prize, Milan, 2018), and a finalist of the International Vocalists' Competition named after B. Franchi (2018, Pienza).
In the 2015/16 season, he performed the roles of Don José ("Carmen" by G. Bizet) at the Hermitage Theater, Antonio ("Betrothal in a Monastery" by S. Prokofiev) at the "Opera for Everyone" Festival in Saint Petersburg, the Duke and Alfredo ("Rigoletto" and "La Traviata" by G. Verdi), Lykov ("The Tsar’s Bride" by N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov), Lensky and Vaudemont ("Eugene Onegin" and "Iolanta" by P.I. Tchaikovsky), and the Young Gypsy ("Aleko" by S.V. Rachmaninov).
From 2016 to 2018, he worked at the opera studio of the Staatsoper Hamburg, performing roles in operas such as "The Magic Flute" by W.A. Mozart, "Salome" by R. Strauss, "Dialogues of the Carmelites" by F. Poulenc, "Lucia di Lammermoor" by G. Donizetti, "Prince Igor" by A.P. Borodin, "The Flying Dutchman" and "Parsifal" by R. Wagner, "Madama Butterfly" by G. Puccini, "Wozzeck" by A. Berg, "La Belle Hélène" by J. Offenbach, "Fidelio" by L. Beethoven, "Aida" by G. Verdi, and "Mirivis" by G.F. Telemann.
In the 2017/18 season, he participated in productions such as "Trash, Coward, Villain!" based on "The Magic Flute" by W.A. Mozart (Monostatos) in Shanghai (China) and "La Bohème" by G. Puccini (Rodolfo) in Daegu (South Korea). He also performed the role of Rodolfo in December 2018 at the Plovdiv National Opera Theater (Bulgaria).
He has taken part in La Scala Theatre productions, including "La Traviata" by G. Verdi (as Alfredo), "Khovanshchina" by M.P. Mussorgsky (as Kuzka Streshnev), and "The Dead City" by E. Korngold (as Victorin).
In 2024, Sergey Ababkin debuted at Lyrica Classic's International Opera Festival of Women Composers, "Muffled Voices," performing in two world premieres:
- Tchaikovsky in Tatiana Chudova's opera "Von Meck – Tchaikovsky"
- Young Man in Alina Nebykova's opera "Zhdana"
His significant contributions showcased his exceptional talent and brought these contemporary works to life for new audiences.
Tenor
Sergey Ababkin
Grigory Soloviov
Bass
Before completing his studies with the Washington National Opera's Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist's program in 2009, Russian-American bass-baritone Grigory Soloviov attended the prestigious Moscow State Conservatory. Mr. Soloviov has won or been placed as a fnalist in many prestigious vocal competitions globally, including the Metropolitan Opera Council Auditions in Washington, DC, the XIII International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, the Palm Beach Opera Vocal Competition, and the Giulio Gari Foundation Competition. Mr. Soloviov performed on numerous stages across the world, among which are the Metropolitan Opera, Opéra de Dijon, Gran Teatro La Fenice, the Washington National Opera, Bolshoi Academic State Theatre, Royal Swedish Opera, Helikon-Opera, The Royal Swedish Opera, the Dallas Opera, Opéra de Monte-Carlo, Oper an der Wien, Opéra National de Lyon, Opéra de Tours, Opéra De Montréal, the Palm Beach Opera, Connecticut Grand Opera, Festival d'Aix-en-Provence, The Grange Festival. His concert work includes appearances with such orchestras as the Philadelphia Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra, Princeton Symphony Orchestra, Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra and Orquesta Filarmónica de Jalisco. Between appearances on Russian stages, Mr. Soloviov is also in great demand as a judge for vocal competitions held across the nation.
Bass
Grigory Soloviov
Marina Omelchenko
Titular Organist of the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Moscow
Marina Omelchenko, born into a family of musicians, studied organ under Prof. Alexei Parshin at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory and later at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz, Austria. Since 2004, she has been the principal organist at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Moscow. Her career includes roles as Artistic Director of the "Art of Kindness" Foundation and as an educator in both concert and liturgical organ repertoire.
Omelchenko has performed in renowned cathedrals worldwide, including St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, the Basilica of the National Shrine in Washington, D.C., and Montserrat Monastery in Spain. Known for unique programs blending organ with Russian bells, duduk, and violin, she is celebrated as “a musician with a rich heart and exceptional artistry.”
Organist
Marina Omelchenko
Vocal Ensemble ARIELLE
ARIELLE regularly performs at renowned Moscow venues, including the Moscow Conservatory, Moscow International Performing Arts Center, Stanislavsky Theatre, and the Tretyakov Gallery. Highlights include performing at the International “Moscow Spring a cappella” Festival, the Golden Mask Festival, and as the resident choir of the New Opera World Opera Laboratory.
The ensemble has been featured in significant events such as the grand opening of Dynamo Arena and the "Alluki" opera at the Golden Mask Festival. They have collaborated with prestigious orchestras like the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra and enjoy partnerships with notable figures such as Frieder Bernius and Russian composers.
With a repertoire ranging from Renaissance and Baroque music to contemporary works, ARIELLE brings versatility to cantatas, oratorios, and opera. Their performances have been broadcast on Radio Orpheus and major Russian TV channels, making them a dynamic presence in both traditional and modern choral music.
Choir
ARIELLE
Daiana Hofman
Conductor
Born in St. Petersburg, Daiana Gofman graduated with honors from the Music College at the St. Petersburg Conservatory (class of Distinguished Artist of Russia, Prof. Boris Abalyan). From 2011 to 2013, she studied choral conducting at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory under Prof. Boris Tevlin. In 2015, she earned her bachelor’s degree in symphonic conducting from the Academy of Music in Belgrade, Serbia, where she studied with Prof. Bojan Suđić on a state scholarship awarded in 2013. She is currently advancing her studies in opera and symphonic conducting at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory under Assoc. Prof. Stanislav Dyachenko.
Daiana has participated in master classes with notable musicians, including Vladimir Ponkin, Dmitry Bashkirov, Gennady Rozhdestvensky, Vladimir Jurowski, Ronald Zollman, Josef Doller, and Slawek Wrublewski. She has conducted the Belgrade Radio and Television Orchestra, the Belgrade Academy Student Symphony, the Moscow Conservatory Concert Symphony Orchestra, and the Symphony Orchestra of the Moscow Conservatory Opera Theater. In addition to conducting, she actively performs as a pianist and singer, having won the international piano competition in Niš, Serbia.
Daiana is also the founder, artistic director, and conductor of the Moscow Youth Chamber Orchestra, with which she performs at renowned venues in Moscow, including the Great Hall and Rachmaninoff Hall of the Moscow Conservatory.
Conductor
Daiana Hofman
Symphony Orchestra 'New Moscow'
The orchestra was founded in 2016 by conductor Daiana Gofman. Its repertoire includes works from various eras and styles. Alongside classical performances, the musicians are pioneering new formats of interaction with diverse musical-theatrical genres, including opera, drama, and performance art.
The orchestra collaborates regularly with renowned soloists, directors, visual artists, and performers. They frequently perform at Moscow’s premier venues, such as the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, the Moscow International House of Music, the Central House of Actors, and the ZIL Cultural Center, among others.
Throughout its activity, the "New Moscow" orchestra has recorded several works at Mosfilm’s Tonstudio.
Orchestra
New Moscow