Aigul Akhmetshina: Art will change the World!

In her early 20s Aigul Akhmetshina performs on top world opera stages. She represents Bashkortostan along with the Abdrazakov brothers, Vladimir Spivakov, Rudolf Nureev. And our Republic is proud of this young star. 

Akhmetshina has won the Grand Prix at the International Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition and the New Opera Competition in Moscow. She was the first one to join the Jette Parker Young Artists Programme at the Royal Opera House at the age of 20. 

But what do we know about her exactly? What is her "success formula"? Exclusively on the "Cultural World of Bashkortostan".

Aigul, is your Programme at the Royal Opera House finished?

Yes, it finished last summer. A lot of things changed in these 2 years. Royal Opera House became a home for me, with my own artistic family. We support each other. 

What is the most important experience for you?

I found a belief in myself. Now I see, that it all happens for a reason. There is a talent to share with the world.

Tell us more about the Wexford festival please. 

This play made a mark in my heart. It was the "Don Quichotte" opera. Every member of the team was so excited about it. Unique credit goes to the director of the show Rodula Gaitanou and the conductor Timothy Myers. 

It was kind of challenge for me. I had to combine fine singing with actor performance and dancing. But everything was so inspirational, like costumes, music and set. I would repeat this experience with great pleasure. 

How many roles do you have in your career baggage?

13 roles, which is quite good for 3-year career.

Impressive. And do you find any difference in working with Russian classical music?

It is more difficult than any other. Every foreign singer adores Russian music, but not everyone has a courage to perform it. You need to know Russian culture deeply to express all the feelings of so-called "mysterious Russian soul". 

Do you have a dream role?

Yes, it is Delilah from the "Samson and Delilah" opera. I think, she fits me well with her passionate energy.

Is she passionate like your Carmen?

I performed 3 different Carmen. For example, Carmen in Barrie Kosky’s new production at the Royal Opera House was completely different from the others. It was not about love. It was about the Artist. "You think you know me well?", - she asks the audience. "I am going to show you only I want to show". She may even appear in the monkey, or toreador costume. 

And the classical Carmen was performed in Ufa. She was loving, sacrificial. And it was such a joy to perform it with Ilgam Valeev! He is such a caring and supportive partner. 

Which Carmen is your favorite?

I can't tell you, they're all close to my heart. It very intimate process to prepare to each role. 

And how did you feel while playing comic character in Barbiere di Siviglia?

It was amazing! Never thought I could be a comic actress. My femme fatale type became some sort of cliché for me. And I ruined it with my Rosina performance. 

It was such an interesting set, where something happened in every minute of the play. And you have to be very attentive to each detail. One minute earlier, and you miss the whole joke.

And are you a passionate spectator?

I don't listen to opera so often. I feel nervous for singers, because I can hear everything, and I analyse it as pedagogue. That is why I prefer ballet. Moreover, I borrow their expressing skills from them. It is the body language, which is sometimes beyond the reach for singer. 

Tell us please more about your agent and assistant.

They are close friends to me. We fully trust each other. I am such a happy person to have them in my life. It is not only business, we became some sort of family. 

And how does this Opera World look like?

It is competitive, but not like in Russia. There is a place in any point of the world, where singer can find job. It depends on how you do your work, not where. This World of Art is beautiful, but it's the hard way. You have to work a lot. There are two ways to choose: either you want to be popular and earn a lot of money or you want to be professional and change the world?

Which way did you choose?

I work with people from different countries. And this mix shows us the multicultural beauty. I want to unite people with love and positive energy. 

What do you feel after your concerts in Ufa?

It was such a stress! But I love to come back and sing for my natives. Our audience is not ready for difficult operas, but it will happen, for sure. 

What are your plans for this season?

This virus changed everything. A lot of plays and concerts are postponed. But we cross our fingers and wait for the miracle. This summer I plan to join the internship programme at the Georg Solti Accademia.

What do you want to tell to young singers, looking up to you?

My advice is to always stay yourself. Take your own way. As I said, there are two ways, and you have to choose, which one is preferable to you. And you have to work a lot. And always remember, that Art will change the World! 

Born in 1996, Russian mezzo-soprano Aigul Akhmetshina graduated with honours from the vocal department of SBEI UAC College under the tutelage of prof. Nelly Yusupova. 

Engagements: Polina Queen of Spades for Teatro San Carlo Napoli, Hannah Die Passagier at Teatro Real, Rosina Barbiere di Siviglia and Olga Eugene Onegin with Israeli Opera and Dulcinea Don Quichotte for Wexford Opera Festival, Stabat Mater with the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic, Olga in the concert version of Eugene Onegin with Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra and Russian National Orchestra, Preziosilla La forza del destino, Carmen and Mercedes Carmen, Carmen La Tragédie de Carmen, Sonyetka Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk at the Royal Opera House, concert version of West Side Story with Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome and Maestro Pappano, concerts with National Russian Orchestra with Maestro Spivakov, and with London Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra at the Bath Abbey, Carinthian Symphony Orchestra during Carinthian Summer Music Festival in Austria and the title role of Cenerentola for Opera de Bauge.

 Diana Baiturina