Svetlana Aksenova has been acclaimed internationally for her performances as Lisa in a new production of The Queen of Spades at the Dutch National Opera, directed by Stefan Herheim and conducted by Mariss Jansons, the title role in Rusalka at the Paris Opera, Cio-Cio-San in Madama Butterfly at the Deutsche Oper Berlin, Norwegian National Opera and Royal Swedish Opera in Stockholm, and Fevroniya in Dmitry Cherniakov’s production of Rimsky Korsakov’s The Invisible City of Kitezh, first at the Dutch National Opera and then for her debut at the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona.

Aksenova made her North American debut in the autumn of 2016 as Tatyana in Eugene Onegin with the Dallas Opera and her South American debut in the same role at the Teatro Municipal in Sao Paolo, Brazil. In the summer of 2016, Aksenova made her debut with the Rome Opera in the title role of Madama Butterfly, the same role with which she will make her debuts at both the Berlin State Opera and Bavarian State Opera in Munich. She will also return to the Norwegian National Opera in the title role of a new production of Tosca, directed by Calixto Beito. Aksenova has recently been heard in her native city of St. Petersburg as both Desdemona in Otello and Lisa in The Queen of Spades.

Born in St. Petersburg, Aksenova pursued her vocal studies at the renowned Rimsky Korsakov Conservatory, where, while still a student, she came to critical attention for her performance as the title role in Tchaikovsky’s Iolanta. Aksenova was also privileged to participate in master classes with legendary soprano Renato Scotto. She was invited to join the ensemble of the Basel Opera, where over several seasons she developed her repertoire to include such roles as Desdemona, Lisa, Rusalka, Cio-Cio-San, Mimi in La Boheme and Blanche in Dialogues des Carmelites. Aksenova also starred in the title role of Puccini’s Suor Angelica in Dortmund, staged by Cristine Mielitz. Her international debuts followed in rapid succession. Other roles in her operatic repertoire include Amelia in Simon Boccanegra, the title role in Luisa Miller, Marguerite in Faust, Margherita and Elena in Mefistofele, and the title role in Cilea’s Adriana Lecouvreur.

Svetlana Aksenova also has a vast concert repertoire, including Vivaldi’s Gloria, Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater and Misa Pastoralis, Brixi’s Magnificat, and Beethoven´s Mass in C Major. She has also sung Berlioz’ Messe Solennelle, Bizet´s Te Deum, Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle and Stabat Mater, Shostakovich and Dvorak´s Stabat Mater, and Mahler´s Fourth Symphony. In 2015, she made her debut with the Grand Theatre in Geneva in concerts of Verdi’s Requiem.