Congratulations Elizaveta Agrafenina
Elizaveta Agrafenina has had an exciting year! In October she was awarded Lars Grønhaug's Honorary Prize, and on November 24th and 25th, she is on stage in Amsterdam with a tribute to Jewish composers who were persecuted during the occupation.
The Russian-Norwegian soprano, Elizaveta Agrafenina studies at the Conservatory of Amsterdam with Sasja Hunnego. She is part of «Young Voices» a talent program at the Bergen National Opera in Norway. This weekend she's on stage in Amsterdam, in a concert honouring Jewish composers from the occupation of Amsterdam, with program by composer Tyrone Landau and Stephen Higgins on piano.
SWARTE AVONDEN - CONCERT 23RD AND 24TH NOVEMBER
Amidst the horror of the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam, was the attempt to eradicate the flourishing Jewish cultural contribution to the city. Jewish musicians, and their music, were banned from public performance. Zwarte Avonden were secretive, clandestine performances, where Jewish musicians could express their musical heritage. Of course, many Jewish musicians were themselves eradicated in the holocaust, and their music discarded on the streets as they were transported away. Once again, the extraordinary music of the Jewish composers of Amsterdam is being rediscovered, and we are delighted to present this performance of vocal music of five composers, ranging from the ebullience of pre-war musicality, the distress of occupation, to the exultation of liberation.
ARTISTS
Elizaveta Agrafenina / soprano
Tyrone Landau / tenor
Stephen Higgins / piano
Sára Gutvill / mezzo soprano
Jaap Kooi / piano
Sponsored by Edvard Grieg Kor and Bergen National Opera
YOUNG VOICES PROGRAM
Bergen National Opera ́s Young Voices program mentors young Norwegian artists at the start of their development, in particular when they are studying overseas. Currently we are supervising eight young singers. The overall program is led by the distinguished bass-baritone Simon Kirkbride and supported by Kavlifondet.
