Elena Tsallagova

Recent highlights include her critically acclaimed role debut as Marta in a new production of Weinberg Die Passagierin at Bayerische Staatsoper, a role debut as Eva in Wagner Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg and Corinna in Rossini Il viaggio a Reims at Deutsche Oper Berlin, Adina in Donizetti L’elisir d’amore at Staatsoper Stuttgart and Leïla in Bizet Les pêcheurs de perles at Opera Ballet Vlaanderen. Recent highlights on the concert platform include,  L'Ange Saint François d'Assise at the Ensecu Festival and Vixen in Janáček The Cunning Little Vixen under Jakub Hrůša and the Czech Philharmonic. Tsallagova was nominated by Opus Classic for ‘Best Singer Of The Year’ in 2021 and in the 63rd annual Grammy awards for a recording of  Zemlinsky Der Zwerg in 2019 with Deutsche Oper Berlin in the Best Opera Recording category.

A former member of the Bayerische Staatsoper and Deutsche Oper ensembles, Tsallagova remains a regular guest at both houses performing roles such as Mimi in Puccini La bohème, Liù in Puccini Turandot, Donna Clara in Schubert Der Zwerg, Violetta in Verdi La traviata and Berthe in Meyerbeer Le prophète. Tsallagova made her debut with Glyndebourne Touring Opera in 2009 as Nannetta in Verdi Falstaff, returning to the festival in the same role, and then again as Vixen in Janáček The Cunning Little Vixen and Donna Fiorilla in Rossini Il turco in Italia. Tsallagova is also regularly reinvited to the Teatro Real, Dutch National Opera, Opéra National du Rhin, The Rossini Opera, Salzburger and Bregenzer festivals and Opéra National de Paris, where she debuted as Sophie Werther and Mélisande Pelléas et Mélisande having previously been a member of their Atelier Lyrique programme for young artists.

Equally prolific on the concert platform, Tsallagova has most recently performed Micaëla Carmen in concert at the National Centre for the Performing Arts, Beijing, Brahms Ein deutsches Requiem with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra at the BBC Proms, Handel Messiah at Grand Théâtre de Genève, Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Salzburger Festspiele and Mozarteum Salzburg. She works regularly with James Gaffigan and both the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.

Her extensive discography includes Martinů Larmes de coteau with Staatsorchester Stuttgart [Capriccio, 2022], Handel Messiah with Les Musiciens du Louvre and Vienna Philharmonia Chorus [UNITEL, 2020], Bizet Carmen at Bergenz Festival [C Major, 2017], Mayr Medea In Corinto with the Bayerische Staatsoper [UNITEL, 2010], Debussy Pelleas et Mélisande [UNITEL, 2013] and Janáček The Cunning Little Vixen [DVD, 2009] with Opéra National de Paris. The DVD of the latter production was awarded DVD of the year at the 2009 Victoires de la musique.

Tsallagova studied at the St Petersburg Conservatory, and after winning first prize in the Rachmaninov competition, began performing at the Mariinsky Theatre before continuing her studies in Europe.

2024/25 season / 591 words. Not to be altered without permission.