Born in Russia and a graduate of the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow, Ms Petrova was awarded first prize at both the 1999 International Elena Obratztsova Young Opera Singers Competition and the International Rimsky-Korsakov Competition of Operatic Singers in 1998.
A participant in the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program of the Metropolitan Opera, Lyubov Petrova made her hugely successful Metropolitan Opera debut in 2001 as Zerbinetta Ariadne auf Naxos and thereafter appeared at the Metropolitan Opera in numerous roles, including Sophie Werther, Norina Don Pasquale, Pamina Die Zauberflöte, Elvira L’italiana in Algeri, Adele Die Fledermaus, Blondchen Die Entführung aus dem Serail, Oscar Un ballo in maschera, Sophie Der Rosenkavalier, Nanetta Falstaff, Xenia Boris Godunov and in Der Ring des Nibelungen as Woglinde.
Ms Petrova also appeared for three consecutive seasons at the Spoleto USA Festival in Charleston, South Carolina (Zerbinetta Ariadne auf Naxos, the title role of Lakmé and Despina Così fan tutte).
She made her debut in Washington D.C. with performances of the title role in Lucia di Lammermoor. Her debut in the United Kingdom was at the Glyndebourne Festival Opera as Adele Die Fledermaus. This production was also presented at the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall.
In concert, Ms Petrova appeared in Moscow at Placido Domingo’s Concert in Red Square and numerous times with the Russian National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Michael Pletnev. She also appeared at the Theater an der Wien in Austria with the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra and Vladimir Fedoseyev and performed with New Jersey Orchestra under Julius Rudel’s baton.
Past seasons have seen performances of Zerbinetta Ariadne auf Naxos at the Teatro Real, Madrid, with Los Angeles Opera and Paris Opera, Juliette Roméo et Juliette for Pittsburgh Opera, the title role in Massenet’s Manon at the Teatro Massimo in Palermo, Oscar Un ballo in maschera at Houston Grand Opera, Angelica Orlando and Louisa Betrothal in a Monastery at the Palau de les Arts in Valencia, Gilda Rigoletto with Washington National Opera, excerpts of Sophie Der Rosenkavalier in concert with the Atlanta Symphony, Elvira I puritani with Palm Beach Opera, Violetta La traviata, Lyudmila in Glinka’s Ruslan and Lyudmila, the title role in Rimsky-Korsakov’s Snow Maiden and Marfa in Rimsky-Korsakov’s Tsar’s Bride and a highly successful debut at Glimmerglass Opera as Cleopatra Giulio Cesare to which she received outstanding reviews.
“She is nothing short of sensational, the Russian soprano Lyubov Petrova. As Cleopatra in Giulio Cesare, she sings incredibly, acts equally superbly and makes a stunning presence whether flirting, making love or lamenting a tragedy. In her debut with the company, Petrova mesmerizes audiences so much they are tempted to give her standing ovations in the middle of this performance of Handel's work.” Joan Vadeboncoeur, The Post Standard CNY Weekend and Stars.
In the 2008/9 season Ms. Petrova sang Susanna Le nozze di Figaro for Dallas Opera, Gilda Rigoletto for Austin Lyric Opera and the title role in Lucia di Lammermoor for Central City Opera. 2009/10 saw performances of Norma at the Bellini Festival in Italy, Zerbinetta Ariadne auf Naxos with Washington National Opera, the title role in L’arbore di Diana at the Teatro Real and returns to Glimmerglass Opera for Susanna.
Looking ahead, Ms Petrova will sing Juliette Roméo et Juliette for De Nederlandse Opera and Dallas Opera, Giulietta I Capuleti e i Montecchi at Teatro Massimo, Catania, the title roles of Lucia di Lammermoor with Washington Opera and Pamina Die Zauberflöte with Austin Lyric Opera, among other roles.
Ms Petrova was the Queen of the Night in the new film of The Magic Flute directed by Kenneth Branagh and conducted by James Conlon, which was released worldwide in 2007.
Lyubov Petrova is represented by Intermusica.
August 2010 / 606 words. Not to be altered without permission. Please destroy all previous biographical material.
Lucia in Donizetti Lucia di Lamermoor
Opera Lyra Ottawa / cond. Tyrone Paterson / dir. Henry Akina
"Lyubov Petrova's Lucia was the star to which the rest of the wagon was hitched. She sang beautifully all evening and, when the libretto allows it, she acted convincingly. Her mad scene was beyond praise."
Richard Todd, Ottawa Citizen, March 2011
“…combining a beautiful, unusually agile voice with an equally strong sense of acting and theatricality.”
Steven Mazey, Ottawa Citizen, March 2011
Juliette in Gounod Roméo et Juliette
Winspear Opera House, Dallas
“Russian soprano Lyubov Petrova plays the part of Juliet, effortlessly owning the impressive slides and pushes of Gounod’s score.”
Luis Noble, www.myssnews.com, February 2011
“Lyubov Petrova, as Juliet, was convincing. To say she was a magnificent soprano would have been an understatement. Her vocal control was outstanding. Her upper range was clear, distinct and resonant. Her performance seemed effortless. She was also a consummate actress. She melded her vocal prowess with her acting ability so that the two became one. Yes, she was singing, but it didn't come across as such, it came across as acting. Her youthful energy and even her sometimes awkward movements convinced me she was a teen madly in love.”
Mark-Brian Sonna, John Garcia's The Column, February 2011
Gilda in Verdi Rigoletto
Washington National Opera
"Soprano Lyubov Petrova's light, delicate coloratura voice was a perfect choice for the role of the teenage Gilda, Rigoletto's charming daughter whose naivete and selflessness prove to be her undoing. Her marvelously nuanced first act aria, "Caro nome che il mio cor" ("Dear name, engraved on my heart"), was girlishly effective, and her ensemble work with Mr. Alvarez was superb."
"Her marvellously nuanced first act aria, 'Caro nome che il mio cor' ('Dear name, engraved on my heart'), was girlishly effective, and her ensemble work with Mr. Alvarez was superb."
T.L Ponick, Washington Times, March 2008