Renowned soprano and top pianist to play in isles

Two world-class musicians, Ukrainian soprano Oksana Mavodii and Bulgarian pianist Silviya Michaylova are to perform twice in Shetland next month – at Lerwick Town Hall on Thursday 12th February and Busta House Hotel, near Brae, on Friday 13th February.

The varied programme, which includes opera recitals and jazz classics, will feature works by Pucinni, Gershwin, Rachmaninoff, Verdi, Chopin and Mozart.

Oksana Mavodii, who is married to a Shetlander, graduated from the State Academy of Music, in Sofia, in 2001. She is a laureate and the winner of various Bulgarian national and academic competitions.

Silviya Michaylova, who began playing piano aged seven, was born in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. At the age of 10 she won third prize in the Dream in Seasons competition in her home town and soon after that she commenced lessons with Rositza Ivancheva – one of the most renowned piano teachers in Bulgaria. A year later she was accepted to the National School for Music and Dance Art, Dobrin Petkov in Plovdiv.

She has given a variety of chamber music recitals since 2005 and has played for the BBC Radio 3 Pianothon Finale with Tom Poster.

Shetland Arts music development officer Bryan Peterson said: “I hope people will come along and enjoy these concerts. Shetland Arts is committed to supporting a wide range of music artforms.”

Tickets, priced £10/£8, are available from Shetland Box Office, Isleburgh community Centre, telephone (01595) 745555.