Basses

Alexey Svetov

In the choir since 2011

Alexey Svetov is a laureate of numerous competitions: the Vocal Auditions for graduates of Russian music universities (Kazan, 2010), the Obukhova All-Russian Vocal Competition (Lipetsk, 2010), the Shtokolov International Competition (Saint Petersburg, 2009) and others. He is also a laureate of the Glinka International Vocal Competition (Moscow, 2009).

Alexey Svetov graduated from the East Kazakhstan College of Art with a specialization in solo vocals (Vyacheslav Tkach’s class). In 2004, he entered the Glinka State Conservatory (Novosibirsk) to study solo vocals in Vladimir Prudnik’s class. He later obtained his master’s degree from the Conservatory.

In 2010–2011, Alexey Svetov was a soloist at the Pushkin Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre (Nizhny Novgorod). Since 2011, he has been part of the musicAeterna troupe.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE WORLD OF MUSIC?

Everyone in my family has always been keen on singing. I started learning music since the age of 5 — although at first it looked like I was going to be a dancer. I had the ability, and my mother supported me as a choreographer. But then I got into the accordion class at music school, which redefined my future.

WHAT DOES MUSIC MEAN TO YOU?

Music is everything I have in life. It is my way of self-expression. On stage, you really get to manifest all your emotions. Through music, you can convey all your thoughts and ideas to the audience.

COULD YOU NAME THREE MUSIC RECORDS THAT YOU WOULD TAKE WITH YOU TO A DESERT ISLAND?

I would take an album by Pavarotti, Mahler’s Symphony no.2, and some recording by musicAeterna.

DO YOU LISTEN TO YOUR OWN RECORDINGS?

I do. Sometimes, I listen to them and cannot believe my ears. I really like the way we sang pieces by Mozart and Brahms. Of course, one can start nitpicking — but in general, I enjoy our recordings greatly.

WHAT PART DO YOU DREAM OF PERFORMING?

In general, I am interested in any lyrical baritone part. But my number one choice would be the entirety of Mozart’s trilogy, of course.

musicAeterna choir events

June 1, 21:00

St. Petersburg | Hermitage Museum

The musicAeterna Orchestra and Choir. Ars Vivendi

Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683–1764)
The thunderstorm scene from Act II of the opera-ballet Platée ou Junon jalouse (1745)
Act IV, Scene 4: Entry of the muse Polyhymnia from the lyrical tragedy Abaris ou les Boreades (1763)
Tambourines I, II from the prologue to the lyrical tragedy Dardanus (1739)

Antonio Lotti (1667–1740)
Crucifixus a 8 voci from Credo in F Major (before 1717)

Antonio Vivaldi (1678–1741)
Concerto for Cello and Strings in C Minor, RV 401 (late 1720s)

Allegro non molto
Adagio
Allegro ma non molto

The soloist Rabbani Aldangor

George Frideric Handel (1685–1759)
Ombra mai fu (There was never a shadow), aria of Xerxes from Act I of the opera Xerxes, HWV 40 (1738)
The soloist Andrey Nemzer, countertenor
Furie terribili! (Terrible Furies!), aria of Armida from Act I of the opera Rinaldo, HWV 7a (1711/1731)
The soloist Elizaveta Sveshnikova, soprano
Piangerò la sorte mia (I will mourn my fate), aria of Cleopatra from Act III of the opera Julius Caesar, HWV 17, (1724)
The soloist Elizaveta Sveshnikova, soprano
Venti, turbini (Winds, whirlwinds), aria of Rinaldo from Act I of the opera Rinaldo, HWV 7a (1711/1731)
The soloist Andrey Nemzer, countertenor

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)
Komm, Jesu, komm (Come, Jesus, come), motet for double choir in G minor, BWV 229 (before 1731–1732)
Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden (Praise the Lord, all ye nations), motet for four-voice choir, dubbing instruments and basso continuo in C major, BWV 230 (n.d.)
Erbarme dich, mein Gott (Have mercy, my God), aria of the alto No. 39 (47) from the sacred oratorio St Matthew Passion, BWV 244 (1727–1729/1736)
Soloists:
Andrey Nemzer, countertenor
Vladislav Pesin, violin

George Frideric Handel
Lascia la spina, cogli la rosa (Leave the thorn, pluck the rose), aria of Pleasure from Act II of the oratorio The Triumph of Time and Disillusion, HWV 46a (1707)
Soloists:
Elizaveta Sveshnikova, soprano
Andrey Nemzer, countertenor

Jean-Philippe Rameau
Les Sauvages/Forêts paisibles (The Savages/Peaceful Forests) from Act IV of the opera-ballet The Gallant Indies, (1725/1736)

Duration: 60 minutes

June 2, 19:00