Ildar Abdrazakov

Russian bass Ildar Abdrazakov made his Royal Opera House debut in 2000 with the Kirov Opera as Father Frost (The Snow Maiden). He made his Royal Opera debut in 2009 in Verdi’s Requiem, and has since returned to sing Don Basilio (Il barbiere di Siviglia) and Philip II (Don Carlo). 

Abdrazakov grew up in Ufa and studied at the Ufa State Academy of Arts. He made his debut at La Scala, Milan, aged 25. He sings regularly with the Metropolitan Opera, New York, where his roles have included Enrico (Anna Bolena), Escamillo (Carmen), Figaro (Le nozze di Figaro), Don Giovanni, the four villains (Les Contes d’Hoffmann), Prince Igor, Dosifey (Khovanshchina) and Mustafà (L’italiana in Algeri). Further engagements include Attila, Figaro, Don Giovanni and the four villains for the Mariinsky Theatre, Don Basilio for Paris Opéra and Bavarian State Opera, Méphistophélès (Faust) for Paris Opéra and Salzburg Festival, Don Giovanni and Mustafà for Vienna State Opera, Philip II (Don Carlos) for the Bolshoi Theatre, in Lima and Turin and in concert for Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Moses (Moïse et Pharaon) for Marseille Opera, Attila for Opéra de Monte-Carlo, Silva (Ernani) for Rome Opera and the title role of Mefistofele for San Francisco Opera. 

Abdrazakov has performed in concert and recital at major venues in Europe, Russia, Japan and the USA. He has recorded prolifically, including a solo album of Russian bass arias. He is an ambassador for the Zegna and Music project.