Alto

Anastasia Shumanova

In the choir since 2018

Biography
Interview

Anastasia Shumanova studied choir conducting first at the Shebalin Omsk music college (class of N.V. Statkevich) and later at the Mussorgsky Urals State Conservatory (class of V.G. Krasheninnikov). In 2006–2009, she was a member of the Ekaterinburg Opera and Ballet Theatre choir. In 2009–2018, she was a soloist at the Sverdlovsk Philharmonic choir conducted by A.A. Petrenko. She took part in the choir’s tours to Denmark and France as a soloist (Rachmaninoff’s “All-Night Vigil”).

Anastasia Shumanova was a soloist at the “Fleurs – De – Lys” ensemble directed by V.G. Krasheninnikov. Together with the ensemble, she was a multiple-time laureate and Grand Prix winner of Russian and international competitions.

In 2017, Anastasia Shumanova began working with musicAeterna. She sang first alto in L.Berio’s “Coro” and took part in the ensemble’s tour (Italy, France, Germany).

Since 2018, Anastasia Shumanova has been a full-time member of the
musicAeterna choir.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO MUSIC?

I did it on my own. It was not about immense talent or higher calling, though — still, I now think it was inevitable. I guess that is how fate works: our everyday decisions can change our life and give it a whole different direction.

IF NOT A MUSICIAN, WHAT COULD YOU HAVE BECOME?

I have thought over this a lot; I think I would have been either a photographer or a cook. Just like music, both those areas allow you to be creative and create something unique. And just like in music, the hardest part is to retain that spark of inspiration when it becomes your job.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST MUSICAL IMPRESSION?

This question has just made me realize that all my greatest musical impressions have been related to my direct involvement in the creative process. But there is a work that I find deeply touching as a spectator. I am talking about the “Jeanne au Bûcher” oratorio by Honegger, Castellucci and Currentzis: it is an embodiment of synergy among music, acting, and message.

WHAT DOES MUSICAETERNA MEAN TO YOU?

This might sound trite but to me, musicAeterna is a dream come true.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO PERFORM AS PART OF THIS TROUPE?

Bach’s Motets, Alexey Retinsky’s works, and something that has yet to be created…