Artists of the Hvorostovsky Krasnoyarsk Opera and Ballet Theatre are set to make a series of role debuts across the February programme, appearing before audiences for the first time in a number of opera and ballet productions.

In Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca on 18 February, Pavel Antsiferov will take on the demanding role of the villain Scarpia — a challenging debut both vocally and dramatically.

The evening of 28 February will also be a major milestone for Vladimir Lebedev who will appear on stage for the first time as the flamboyant comic character Don Basilio in Gioachino Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia. Earlier, on 19 February, Lebedev will make another debut - in Tosca as Angelotti.

In the striking role of the official Modest Alexeyevich — a part that calls for both strong dance technique and acting skills — Ilya Khaprov will make his debut on 21 February in Valery Gavrilin’s ballet Anyuta. That same night, Yegor Osokin will appear on stage for the first time as His Excellency.

In the Golden Mask–winning ballet Catarina ou La Fille du Bandit by Cesare Pugni, Oleg Ronsky will make his debut as the Judge on 13 February. The role of the Inn Musician will be performed for the first time by Alexey Kurdiaev, while Valeria Yermakova and Sakiho Kobayashi will debut as the Gondoliers at the Venetian carnival scene.