Today, February 19, composer Alexander Tchaikovsky turns 80. A People’s Artist of Russia, professor, and Artistic Director of the Moscow Philharmonic Society, he is widely regarded as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary Russian music. The Hvorostovsky Krasnoyarsk Opera and Ballet Theatre has enjoyed a long and fruitful creative partnership with Alexander Vladimirovich over the years.

Alexander Tchaikovsky holds a special place in the Krasnoyarsk repertoire. Commissioned by the theatre, he composed two original operas that to this day are performed exclusively in Krasnoyarsk and are a point of pride for the company.

In 2019, the world premiere of his opera Yermak took place. This sweeping historical epic, that is intertwining the era of Ivan the Terrible with the story behind the creation of a famous painting by Vasily Surikov, became a major cultural event. The production featured more than 40 soloists, the chorus, and the ballet company — a true test of strength for the entire ensemble, and one they passed with flying colours.

In May 2025, marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War and the birthday of Viktor Astafyev, the theatre presented another world premiere — the opera To Love in Wartime based on Astafyev’s works The Shepherd and the Shepherdess, Starfall, and Forgive Me. This poignant story of love, war, and hope, for which the composer also co-wrote the libretto, struck a deep chord with audiences.

Alexander Vladimirovich Tchaikovsky is a singular figure in today’s musical culture. A graduate of the Moscow Conservatory, where he studied piano with Lev Naumov and composition with Tikhon Khrennikov, he absorbed the finest traditions of the Russian school and developed them into his own unmistakable style. From 2005 to 2008, he served as the head of the Saint Petersburg Conservatory, and since 2003, he has been Artistic Director of the Moscow Philharmonic Society. In 2022, he was elected Chair of the Council of the Union of Composers of Russia.

His creative legacy is vast: 14 operas, three ballets, eight symphonies, dozens of instrumental concertos, as well as chamber and vocal works. Especially meaningful is the fact that, despite a demanding international career, Alexander Tchaikovsky continues to find time and inspiration to work with the Krasnoyarsk theatre, creating works that have become part of Siberia’s cultural history.

The company of the Hvorostovsky Krasnoyarsk Opera and Ballet Theatre warmly congratulates Alexander Vladimirovich on his anniversary!