Ukrainian soprano Olga Mykytenko has won numerous international awards including the Grand Prix at the Maria Callas International Singing Contest in Athens. Her extraordinary musicality, solid vocal technique, easy coloraturas and strong expression allow her to sing major roles from Iolanta, Mimi and Nedda to Gilda, Violetta and Lucia. Engaged for many years as a soloist at the National Opera of Ukraine in Kiev, where she made her debut, Olga has performed in Opera houses and concert halls around the world. For this, her debut album for Chandos, she brings her interpretations of many of Verdi's greatest soprano roles from the stage into the studio. Her programme also spans virtually all of Verdi's operatic output, from Ernani (Elvira) though to MacBeth (Lady MacBeth) and of course taking in Violetta from La Traviata (among many others) on the way. Accompanied by compatriot Kirill Karabits and the wonderful playing of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, this recital is a vocal and musical tour-de-force.