Julia Lezhneva, still at the threshold of her great career, beguiles us with her freshness and mastery unusual for her age. She is known for her appearances with Placido Domingo, collaborations with Les Musiciens du Louvre directed by Marc Minkowski, and concerts with Europa Galante led by Fabio Biondi. Giovanni Antonini is her mentor. The 25-year-old Russian soprano is the first ever Russian singer to have signed an exclusive contract with DECCA. Until quite recently, she won awards in prestigious voice competitions as the youngest participant in their history. Today she is in great demand, sought after by the impresarios of the most famous opera houses and concert halls around the world.
A native of Sakhalin, an island off the Asian shores of Russia, the singer won the hearts of Wrocław audience during Wratislavia Cantans 2013. She returns to Wrocław to treat us to arias from operas and oratorios by Handel. The repertoire is both virtuosic and emotive, requiring a special kind of temperament the young Russian exhibits so gracefully.
G.F. Handel Trio Sonata in F major Op. 2 No. 3 HWV 392 'Dresden' arranged for orchestra by J. Pisendel, E tal mi lascia? Oh! spente..., Pugneran con noi le stelle... – recitative and aria from Rodrigo HWV 5, Carmelitarum, ut confirmet ordinem..., O nox dulcis... – recitative and aria from Saeviat tellus inter rigores HWV 240, Salve Regina in G minor HWV 241, Overture to Agrippina HWV 6, Pensieri, voi mi tormentate – aria from Agrippina HWV 6, Un pensiero nemico di pace from Il trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno HWV 46a, Concerto grosso in D major Op. 6 No. 6, Come nembo che fugge col vento from Il trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno HWV 46a
F. Geminiani Concerto grosso in G minor Op. 3 No. 2
Julia Lezhneva – soprano
Jarosław Thiel – cello and direction
Wrocław Baroque Orchestra