Andrey Zhilikhovsky

Source: askonasholt.com

Moldovan baritone Andrey Zhilikhovsky completed his studies in choral conducting at the Stefan Nyaga Musical College in Chișinău. Whilst at college he also studied the voice and upon graduation was granted a place at the Rimsky-Korsakov State Conservatory in St Petersburg.

He was a finalist in the St. Petersburg International Vocal Compeititon (2007) and went on to win third prize in the Obraztsova International Competition for Young Singers (2009) and third prize at the Maria Bieshu International Vocal Competition.

Andrey was a soloist of the Mikhailovsky Theatre St. Petersburg, performing roles including Belcore (L’elisir d’amore, Schaunard (La Bohème), Robert (Iolanta), The Prince (Cinderella), Silvano (Un ballo in Maschera), Baron (La Traviata) and Dancairo (Carmen). He made his debut with the Latvian National Opera as Figaro Il Barbiere di Siviglia in 2011. In 2012 he joined the Young Artist Programme of the Bolshoi Theatre, with performances there including the title role of Eugene Onegin, Malatesta (Don Pasquale), Falke (Die Fledermaus), Guglielmo (Così fan Tutte) and Marcello (La Bohème).

Performing internationally at the world’s most prestigious opera houses, Andrey’s highlights include Bayerische Staatsoper in L’elisir d’amore, Opéra de Paris in Iolanta, Deutsche Staatsoper Berlin in Betrothal in a Monastery under Daniel Barenboim, Glyndebourne in Don Pasquale and Il barbiere di Siviglia, Washington National Opera in Il barbiere di Siviglia and Opera di Roma as Conte Almaviva Le Nozze di Figaro. Andrey made his long-awaited UK recital debut the 2018/19 season with accompanist Iain Burnside in the Russian Song Series. He returned there with Iain Burnside again in 2024, for a recital of Russian repertoire alongside soprano Kristina Mkhitaryan.

Recent performances include a new production of Sadko by Dmitri Tcherniakov at the Bolshoi, Cosi fan tutte for Washington National Opera, the title role of Don Giovanni in a return to Glyndebourne Festival, as well as Andrej Bolkonski in War and Peace for Budapest Opera and Bayerische Staatsoper (new production). He has also featured at the Teatro Regio Torino, Metropolitan Opera and Royal Opera House as Marcello in La boheme, the Liceu Barcelona as Yeletsky in Pique Dame and Komische Oper/Edinburgh International Festival as Conte Almaviva in Le Nozze di Figaro.

The 2024-2025 season will see Andrey make his debut at Finnish National Opera performing as Rodrigo in Don Carlo. Later in the season, he will feature as Don Pedro in Donizetti’s Maria Padilla (concert version) at Teatro de la Maestranza. He will also return to the Metropolitan Opera for Il Barbiere di Siviglia, and the Bayerische Staatsoper for Cosi fan tutte.