Aigul Akhmetshina is a rising star in the world of opera. The 27-year-old Russian mezzo-soprano has been hailed as “the world’s go-to Carmen” by The Observer and has won numerous awards and accolades for her stunning performances.
She has sung on some of the most prestigious stages in Europe and America and has collaborated with renowned conductors and directors. But who is Aigul Akhmetshina, and how did she achieve such success at a young age? Here is everything you need to know about this talented and charismatic singer.
Early Life and Education
Aigul was born in 1996 in a small rural village in Bashkortostan, a republic in Russia. She was raised by a single mother of three children in a modest apartment. She developed a love for music early on and began performing native folk songs as a toddler. She also learned to play the accordion, which was the only instrument available in her home. She was passionate about performing, and was known in her hometown as “Aigul the singer”. Her family called her “free bird” for her open heart and adventurous spirit.
At the age of 14, Akhmetshina left home to study singing in the nearest city, Ufa. She supported herself through college by working odd jobs, such as waitressing and stilt walking, while training diligently with the support of her devoted teacher, Nailya Yusupova. She also participated in various competitions and festivals and won several prizes and scholarships. She was discovered by David Gowland, the artistic director of the Jette Parker Young Artists Programme at the Royal Opera House, who invited her to join the program in 2017.
Aigul Akhmetshina Wiki/Bio
| Name | Aigul Akhmetshina |
| Birth Date | 1996 |
| Birth Place | Kirgiz-Miyaki, Bashkortostan, Russia |
| Occupation | Opera singer (mezzo-soprano) |
| Education | Ufa Arts College, Russia |
| Spouse | Matteo Lippi (opera singer) |
| Awards | International Opera Award for Female Singer of the Year, Grand Prix at the International Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition, Talented Youth Support Award from the Russian Federation, and others |
| Website | aigulakhmetshina.com |
| Social Media | Instagram: aigul_akhmetshina_mezzo Facebook: AigulAKMezzo Youtube: @Ak-Mezzo Twitter: AK_Mezzo |
| Homepage | newsunzip.com |
Opera Career
Akhmetshina made her sensational debut as Carmen at the Royal Opera House in 2019 when she was only 21 years old. She was an understudy for the role, and stepped in at the last minute, impressing the audience and critics with her burnished voice and sparkling virtuosity. She has since performed the role of the fiery gypsy on many other stages, including the Deutsche Oper Berlin, the Salzburg Festival, the Opéra National de Paris, and the Teatro Real de Madrid. In the 2023-2024 season, she will star in a landmark new production of Carmen at the Metropolitan Opera, becoming the youngest singer ever to do so. She will also perform the role at the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, the Royal Opera House, and the Glyndebourne Festival.
Akhmetshina’s repertoire is not limited to Carmen, however. She has also sung other roles, such as Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia, Angelina in La Cenerentola, Elisabetta in Maria Stuarda, Charlotte in Werther, Olga in Eugene Onegin, and Preziosilla in La forza del destino. She has worked with some of the most distinguished conductors and directors in the opera world, such as Antonio Pappano, Daniele Rustioni, Antonello Manacorda, Damiano Michieletto, Carrie Cracknell, and Robert Carsen. She has also appeared in concert with orchestras such as the Royal Philharmonic, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the Santa Cecilia Orchestra.
Akhmetshina has received many awards and honors for her opera career, such as the Grand Prix at the International Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition, the International Opera Award for Female Singer of the Year, and the Talented Youth Support Award from the Russian Federation. She has also recorded her debut album, Aigul, with Decca Classics, featuring arias from her signature role and other operas that mark key points in her life and career.
Relationship & Boyfriend
Akhmetshina is married to a fellow opera singer, the Italian tenor Matteo Lippi. The couple met while performing together at the Royal Opera House, and tied the knot in 2021. They currently live in London, where Akhmetshina is studying for her British citizenship test. She has not returned to her native Russia for three years and considers London her home.
Net Worth and Income Sources
Aigul Akhmetshina’s net worth and income sources are not publicly disclosed, but she is likely to earn a substantial amount from her opera career. She has performed on some of the most prestigious stages in the world, such as the Royal Opera House, the Metropolitan Opera, the Salzburg Festival, and the Paris Opera.
She has also signed a contract with Decca Classics, one of the leading classical music labels, and released her debut album, Aigul, in 2023. She has won several awards and prizes, such as the International Opera Award for Female Singer of the Year, the Grand Prix at the International Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition, and the Talented Youth Support Award from the Russian Federation.
Physical Stats
| Weight | In Kilograms: 58 kg In Pounds: 128 lbs |
| Height | In Feet Inches: 5′ 6″ In Meters: 1.67 m In Centimetres: 167 cm |
| Hair Color | Brown. |
| Eye Color | Brown. |
Controversies
Aigul Akhmetshina has not been involved in any major controversies or scandals in her opera career, but she has faced some challenges and criticisms along the way. She has overcome multiple setbacks, such as failures in vocal competitions, an auto accident that left her unable to sing for months, and being rejected by a conservatory in Moscow.
She has also dealt with some negative feedback from some critics, who have questioned her suitability for certain roles, her interpretation of the characters, and her vocal maturity. She has responded to these criticisms by saying that she is a fighter, a learner, and a humble artist, who is still growing and improving.
Nationality, Ethnicity and Religion
Aigul Akhmetshina is a Russian citizen, who was born and raised in Bashkortostan, a republic in Russia. She belongs to the Bashkir ethnic group, which is a Turkic people who speak the Bashkir language and practice Islam as their main religion.
She left her hometown at the age of 14 to pursue her singing career and has since lived in various countries, such as Italy, France, and the UK. She is currently based in London, where she is studying for her British citizenship test. She has not returned to her native Russia for three years and considers London her home.
Social Media Presence
Akhmetshina is active on social media, where she shares glimpses of her personal and professional life with her fans and followers. She has accounts on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, where she posts photos, videos, and updates of her opera performances, travels, hobbies, and family. She also has a website, where she provides more information about her biography, schedule, recordings, and gallery.
Akhmetshina is a young and vibrant opera singer, who has overcome many challenges and achieved remarkable success in her field. She is a role model for aspiring singers, and a source of inspiration and joy for opera lovers. She is a free bird, who sings with passion and grace, and flies high in the sky of opera.
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