Opera singer and pianist to perform in isles again

Accomplished opera singer Oksana Mavrodii and pianist Silviya Mihaylova will be performing at Lerwick Town Hall on Friday and at Busta House on Saturday at 7.30pm.

Their concert is a varied programme of operatic arias and piano pieces which include Susanna’s aria from Le Nozze di Figaro, Margaritta’s aria from Faust and Consolation No. 3 by Liszt. Oksana and Silviya performed in Shetland in 2009 and a spokesman said Shetland Arts was delighted to welcome them back.

Oksana, originally from the Ukraine, now lives in Shetland with her husband and young daughter. She graduated from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in 2008 with a post-graduate diploma in Opera Studies.

Since graduating Oksana has given recitals and performed in operas all over Europe. She has also sung the part of Belisa in the Paisiello Opera Il re Teodoro in Venezia, performed in Karlsruhe Operahaus.

Pianist Silviya is from Bulgaria and won a scholarship to study at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama with Professor Fali Pavri. She enjoys playing variety of chamber music.

In 2008 Silviya and her piano duo partner Anne MacGregor played for the BBC Radio 3 Pianothon Finale with Tom Poster. In December 2009 The MacGregor Mihaylova Duo won the Peter Lindsay Miller Prize for Piano Duo.

Oksana and Silviya are also performers for Live Music Now!, a charity that brings the joy and inspiration of live music to those who have limited access to conventional music-making. With Live Music Now! Oksana and Silviya are giving concerts in Taing House, Symbister Hall and North Haven Care Centre.

Oksana said: “Silvia and I had the pleasure to perform in Shetland two years ago. It was a great experience and we enjoyed it a lot. The Town Hall and Busta House were two very nice venues and the audience was great. Shetland Arts showed fantastic hospitality and we are looking forward to performing in Shetland again.”

Shetland Arts music development officer Bryan Peterson said: “Oksana and Silviya are both exceptionally gifted musicians and their performances are very moving. Audiences will be treated to a rich and varied programme of classic and popular works that showcase their talents.”