Russian-born soprano Elena Mindlina recently toured Russia with newly discovered songs of Nikolai Tcherepnin. Her recital was reviewed as a “challenging concert program [sung] with exquisite taste.” Ms. Mindlina was hailed for her vocal technique, “sophisticated musicality, and outstanding artistic talent that transformed each song into a dramatic scene.” The venues included the renowned Moscow Conservatoire Rachmaninov Hall, St. Petersburg Conservatoire Glazunov Hall and Saratov Conservatoire Great Hall, among others.
Ms. Mindlina's debut world premiere CD, 'Nikolai Tcherepnin: Songs', released by Toccata Classics in 2014, was reviewed as “… masterly performances that radiate the intense joy of each fresh musical discovery.” (Five Stars - BBC Music Magazine, July 2014); MusicWeb International wrote: “Mindlina brings just the right blend of Slavonic combustibility, dreamy introspection, fairytale fantasy, dark shadows, honeyed sweetness, girlish innocence, play-acting vocal characterization and operatic blow-torch.”
In the Fall of 2015, Ms. Mindlina toured Russia with the program “The Image of Woman in Three Centuries of Russian Art Song” in collaboration with pianist and composer Ivan Alexandrov. She also gave masterclasses in various Russian conservatories.
In April-May of 2016, Ms. Mindlina and Mr. Alexandrov will give recitals in five Russian cities including Moscow and St. Petersburg with the new all-American program “Love Theme in Three Centuries of American Art Song.”
Ms. Mindlina’s performances in New York included such renowned venues as Steinway Hall (Rotunda), Kaufman Center’s Merkin Hall, Yamaha Piano Salon, American National Opera Center Recital Hall, the Masterclass series for Joy in Singing at Bruno Walter Auditorium at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts in Lincoln Center, and others.
Before making a transition into the soprano operatic repertoire in 2012, Ms. Mindlina appeared in a number of mezzo-soprano roles, including Alessandro in Cavalli's Eliogabalo (New York première, Stony Brook Opera, 2009), Fyodor in Boris Godunov, Elena Franco in South Pacific, and Lo-Lo in Merry Widow (Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theater Company, 2011).
Ms. Mindlina received her early musical education in Russia. She started to play the piano when she was two and began her training as a violinist at five. She subsequently received her first Master’s degree in violin from the Saratov State Conservatoire, under Mikhail Mindlin (a graduate of both Moscow and St. Petersburg State Conservatories). In 2006, she came to New York to study Musical Theatre at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Manhattan. Immediately following graduation, she made her highly acclaimed Broadway debut at New York Town Hall and appeared in a concert program at Symphony Space, receiving standing ovations in both venues. A recipient of the Full Tuition Scholarship from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, she received her second Master's in classical voice in 2010 and became a Doctor of Musical Arts in spring 2014. In addition to her performing career, Dr. Mindlina enjoys teaching voice and violin at her private studio in New York. She has given master classes on vocal repertoire and technique in the United States and Russia.
"Snow is Falling", poem by Boris Pasternak, music by Nataliya Medvedovskaya; Elena Mindlina, soprano, Nataliya Medvedovskaya, piano
Musicians Club of New York Member/Composers Concert, Saturday, March 12, 2016, Liederkranz Concert Hall, New York City. Video by Paula and Chris Argondizza.
"The music sounded in me"(World Premiere), poem by Yefim Medvedovskiy, music by Nataliya Medvedovskaya; Elena Mindlina, soprano, Nataliya Medvedovskaya, piano
Musicians Club of New York Member/Composers Concert, Saturday, March 12, 2016, Liederkranz Concert Hall, New York City. Video by Paula and Chris Argondizza.
