Composer Alexandra Chernyshova - Sunday Classics

At this concert, newly arranged selections for voice and piano from the opera Good morning, Madam President will be premiered at the performance before the intermission, followed by the premiere of Sinfonietta for Soprano, Choir, and Orchestra, Magical Sky Iceland.

Alexandra Chernyshova (b. 1979) is a dynamic musician. Her works include operas, symphonies, film scores, art songs, and children's music. Both her vocal artistry and compositions have received international recognition and acclaim.

This concert offers a unique opportunity to experience the musical world of Alexandra Chernyshova. The first half of the program presents premiere performances of arrangements for voice and piano from her opera Good morning, Madam President, including arias, duets, quartets, quintets, and choral scenes. The opera is dedicated to Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, the first democratically elected female President in the World. It is Alexandra's third opera and was premiered in 2021. Written in three acts, it is a full-scale theatrical work.

Highlights from the opera will be performed with piano accompaniment from the recently published songbook for voice and piano, featuring eighteen selections from the opera.

Programme

N.1. How can I be? You can do it and I could. What´s going on here?

Text: Dr. Sigurður Ingólfsson / Alexandra Chernyshova

Prologue for women's quintet, mixed choir, and Vigdís's arioso for soprano.

N.2. 17th of June 1944. We are free

Text: Dr. Sigurður Ingólfsson

Duet of Sigríður and Finnbogi for soprano and bass, with mixed choir.

N.3. Paris Waltz

Text: Dr. Sigurður Ingólfsson / Alexandra Chernyshova

Vigdís's aria and women's choir.

N.4. The Dream

Text: Ásta Björk Sveinsbjörnsdóttir

Ragnar's aria.

N.5. Chess and checkmate

Text: Alexandra Chernyshova

Duet of Vigdís and Ragnar.

N.6. Magnús praise

Text: Dr. Sigurður Ingólfsson / Alexandra Chernyshova

Duet of Magnús and Vigdís.

N.7. Mother's Love. Congratulations, Vigdís!

Text: Ásta Björk Sveinsbjörnsdóttir / Alexandra Chernyshova

Vigdís's aria and quartet for two sopranos, tenor, and bass.

N.8. March on, girls and women!

Text: Dr. Sigurður Ingólfsson / Alexandra Chernyshova

Women's activists' quintet and women's choir.

N.9. I love you storm

Text: Hannes Hafstein

Women's quintet.

N.10. Forget-me-not

Text: Þorhallur Helgi Barðason / Alexandra Chernyshova

Epilogue for mixed choir, performed a cappella.

Magical Sky Iceland – Sinfonietta for soprano, choir, and orchestra

Following the intermission, Alexandra's first sinfonietta, composed in 2015, will receive its premiere performance. The work is written in four movements and is inspired by Iceland's magnificent natural landscape, particularly the mystery and radiance of the Northern Lights. It evokes a sense of vastness, tranquility, and quiet wonder. The sinfonietta is dedicated to the composer's husband, Jón R. Hilmarsson, a landscape photographer.

Movements

I. Northern Lights – First movement from Magical Sky Iceland

II. Water and Stars – Second movement from Magical Sky Iceland

III. Lost – Third movement from Magical Sky Iceland

IV. Magical Love in the Sky – Fourth movement from Magical Sky Iceland

Outstanding opera singers, choir members, and instrumentalists will perform at the concert. You are warmly invited to experience the unique musical world of composer Alexandra Chernyshova.