Russian-American soprano Dina Kuznetsova has attracted considerable attention for her outstanding musicianship and captivating stage presence and has graced the stages of many of the world’s greatest opera houses. From the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (Gianni Schicchi with Sir Antonio Pappano), Staatsoper unter den Linden (Donna Anna in Don Giovanni with Daniel Barenboim), Wiener Staatsoper (Juliette with Claude Schnitzler) and Bayerische Staatsoper (the title role in Rodelinda with Ivor Bolton) to the San Francisco Opera (Pamina in The Magic Flute with Donald Runnicles) and Metropolitan Opera (Samaritana in Francesca da Rimini with Marco Armiliato), Kuznetsova has earned the reputation as one of today’s most compelling sopranos.

The Guardian said of her performance in Rusalka, “Dina Kuznetsova is glorious in the title role, unleashing torrents of sound and emotion in ways that are breathtaking,” and called her Butterfly “gleaming, penetrating and arresting.” Opera News wrote of her Tatiana: “Dina Kuznetsova gave a striking performance. She projected her versatile soprano with great agility and strength,” and Anne Midgette called her “a standout… with her warm, clear voice” (The Washington Post).

An alumna of the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s young artist program, Kuznetsova went on to star in a number of new productions at the theater, including Cunning Little Vixen, Rigoletto and, marking her role debut as Tatyana, Eugene Onegin opposite Dmitry Hvorostovsky under the baton of Sir Andrew Davis. Since that debut, she has built a name as an outstanding interpreter of Tchaikovsky’s leading lady, attracting acclaim from her many subsequent productions. Other highlights have included Desdemona (Otello) with the Gulbenkian Orchestra under Lawrence Foster, Alice Ford (Falstaff) at Glyndebourne under Vladimir Jurowski (available on DVD) and CioCio San in Anthony Minghella’s production of Madama Butterfly at English National Opera under Gianluca Marcianò and, in original version, at Atlanta Opera and Pittsburgh Opera. Kuznetsova reprised her Rodelinda for the Bolshoi Theatre in Richard Jones’ production under Christopher Moulds, a production that won the prestigious Golden Mask award.

Slavic and Russian repertoire has been central to Kuznetsova’s career. Her roles have included the title roles of Katya Kabanová (Teatro Municipal de Santiago de Chile, Staatsoper Hamburg, Opera New Zealand), Rusalka for the Glyndebourne Festival under Sir Andrew Davis (followed by performances in Teatro di San Carlo, Naples and Opera Montpellier) and Jenůfa in Jorge Lavelli’s production for Teatro Municipal de Santiago de Chile.

Kuznetsova’s notable orchestral engagements include appearances with National Symphony, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, Russian National Orchestra, Radio France, Sydney Symphony, Gulbenkian Orchestra and Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, among others. A keen recitalist and chamber musician, Kuznetsova appeared regularly at both the New York Festival of Song and Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. She is featured as part of the Music@Menlo series of CDs performing songs by Dvořák, Shostakovich and Rachmaninoff. She has performed at numerous chamber music festivals throughout the country, including La Jolla Music Festival, LaMusica in Sarasota and Moab Music Festival.

As a recitalist, she was praised by New York Concert Review: “Six Romances, Op. 38, of Rachmaninoff were given dramatic, projective performances by world-class singer Dina Kuznetsova, with Mr. Tchaidze.” San Francisco Chronicle said of her recital: “Soprano Dina Kuznetsova, accompanied by Derek Han, was a splendid soloist, singing with fervor and beautifully judging the small hall’s acoustics—each vocal attack was scaled for maximum impact without a hint of oversinging.”

Kuznetsova is a long-standing member of New York Festival of Song Artist Council. Kuznetsova joined the CIM faculty in 2018.