Young Ukrainian bass Sergej Kownir makes his debut at the Salzburger Festspiele 2007 in Eugen Onegin, conducted by Daniel Barenboim and staged by Andrea Breth.

The singer first gained recognition by winning two important Russian singing competitions: he won first prize at the Borys Hmyria Competition in 2004 as well as at the International singers’ competition in St. Petersburg. Kownir’s beautiful voice, his commanding stage presence and his impressive appearance led to awards at the Lisenko Competition as well as the Sobinovsky-Festival in Saratov, competing against the highest Russian talents today.

Sergej Kownir has been a member of the Kiev National Opera since 2003, performing roles such as Gremin (Eugen Onegin), Pimen (Boris Godunov), King René (Iolanta), Sobakin (Tsar’s bride), Timur (Turandot) and many others. Furthermore he has studied parts like Ramfis (Aida) and Sparafucile (Rigoletto). His concert repertoire includes Verdi’s Messa da Requiem.

Sergej Kownir was born in Dnepropetrowsk, Ukraine in 1979. He studied singing at the Tchaikovsky Music Academy.

2007/08