Gulnara Shafigullina

The Russian-Dutch soprano Gulnara Shafigullina comes from the Chukotka region in northeastern Russia. She studied classical piano in Saint Petersburg and took singing lessons with Rimma Volkova, the former first soprano of the Mariinsky Theater. The young soprano graduated 'cum laude' from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam (classical singing) with Sasja Hunnego as singing teacher. Gulnara has also participated in the Georg Solti Accademia di Bel Canto in Italy. Gulnara has sung leading roles in several opera theatres. Her versatile voice allows for a very diverse repertoire. The demanding Belcanto and Verdi masterpieces fit her like a glove. Opera performances from these periods include Violetta in La Traviata (Mariinsky Theater St-Petersburg, Scottish Opera), Desdemona in Verdi's Otell