Okunev Music

Maria

Maria Okunev

Soprano

Maria was born in Moscow, where she studied choral conducting and piano until moving to Australia in 1993. In 1997 Maria attained Associate of Music Australia diploma in piano and performed a solo at the Opera House HSC Encore concert. Maria received a scholarship to study at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and graduated in 2001 majoring in classical piano. Her teachers were Daniel Herskovitch, David Miller, Paul Dyer and Philip Shovk. In 2006 Maria completed a Master of Creative Arts degree majoring in opera – Newcastle Conservatorium. Maria studied voice with Dr Michael Halliwel, Dr Rowena Cowley, Anthea Moller, Catherine Carby and Amanda Thane.

As a soprano, Maria performs in solo recitals, radio broadcasts for ABC classic fm and with Opera Australia. Maria has been featured on the ABC radio in the “Rising Stars” program, “Saturday Sessions” and “Sunday Live”.

In 2009 Maria was the Lady Fairfax New York Scholarship finalist. In July 2008 Maria won the MIETTA competition – a national award worth $15 000 presented to an outstanding Lieder singer. The distinguished panel was headed by Maestro Richard Bonynge, Richard Mills, Prof John Poynter, Stephen McIntyre and Margaret Baker-Genovesi. Also in 2008 Maria was a finalist of the national Italian and German awards and the National Aria competition – Canberra. In 2007 Maria was a finalist in the National Covent Garden Opera Award and German Operatic Award. Maria traveled to Berlin in September 2007 on the artist scholarship from the Goethe Institute.

Internationally: In 2004 Maria was a semi-finalist in the Vienna International Opera contest. Maria represented Australia in Japan at the Shizuoka International Opera competition in 2005. Maria also represented Australia in 2008 in Holland at the s’-Hertogenbosch international opera contest. The competition jury selected Maria to sing in Masterclasses with Jard von Nes, Alexandra Roberts and Elly Ameling.

Roles performed: Rosina in Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Fiordiligi – Cosi fan tutte Mozart, Jasmin-El amal Liew Kiek, Kostelnicka –Jenufa Janacek, Magda – Consul Menotti, Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni – Mozart, Self in The Impossible Body – Katrina Pring, Guadelina in La Perichole – Offenbach, Musetta in La Boheme – Puccini, Madam Silberklung in Der Schauspieldirektor – Mozart.

Roles studied: Amina La Sonnambula Bellini, Tatiana Eugene Onegin Tchaikovsky, Violetta La Traviata Verdi, Ann Truelove The Rake’s Progress Stravinsky.

Maria’s recent oratorio performances were solo soprano parts in: Creation Haydn, Messia Handel, A Child is Born George Palmer, Midnight Mass Matthew Orlovich, Gloria Vivaldi, Nelson Mass Haydn.

Russian Orthodox repertoire: Rachmaninov – Vespers, Liturgy, Tchaikowsky – Liturgy, solo parts in works by Chesnokov, Trubachiov, Bortniansky.

Maria performs and is one of the creators of the Marianna Ensemble.

Engagements in early 2010:

ABC classic fm – “Sunday live” solo recital broadcast

ABC classic fm –recording of “Red Liquid” by Hayden Wolf – cycle for soprano and mixed ensemble

Blackwattle Media – singing role in the film “I Spry – the rise and fall of the Australian master spy”
To be released on ABC television in 2010

Musica Viva – solo recital for Café Carnevale festival