Elena Tsallagova

Recent highlights include the title role in The Cunning Little Vixen at Opéra National de Paris and Bayerische Staatsoper, Elettra in Mozart's Idomeneo for Theater an der Wien, Marta in Weinberg's Die Passagierin at Bayerische Staatsoper, Eva in Wagner's Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Corinna in Rossini's Il viaggio a Reims, Pamina's in Mozart Die Zauberflöte, Donna Clara in Zemlinsky's Der Zwerg, Mimì in Puccini's La Bohème and Violetta in Verdi's La Traviata at Deutsche Oper Berlin, Adina in Donizetti's L’elisir d’amore at Staatsoper Stuttgart and Leila in Bizet's Les pêcheurs de perles for Staatstheater Wiesbaden and at Opera Ballet Vlaanderen.

A former member of the Bayerische Staatsoper and Deutsche Oper ensembles, Tsallagova remains a regular guest at both houses performing roles such as Mimi in La bohème, Liù in Puccini's Turandot, Donna Clara in Der Zwerg, Violetta in La traviata and Berthe in Meyerbeer's Le prophète. Tsallagova made her debut with Glyndebourne Touring Opera in 2009 as Nannetta in Verdi's Falstaff, returning to the festival in the same role, and then again as Vixen in The Cunning Little Vixen and Donna Fiorilla in Rossini's Il turco in Italia. Tsallagova is also regularly reinvited to the Teatro Real, Dutch National Opera, Opéra National du Rhin, The Rossini Opera, Salzburger and Bregenzer festivals and Opéra National de Paris, where she debuted as Sophie in Massenet's Werther and Mélisande in Debussy's Pelléas et Mélisande having previously been a member of their Atelier Lyrique programme for young artists.

Equally prolific on the concert platform, Tsallagova has most recently performed Shostakovich's Symphony No. 14 on tour with Kremerata Baltica and conductor Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, Dvořák's Te Deum with Prague Philharmonic Choir, L'Ange Saint François d'Assise at the Ensecu Festival and Vixen in The Cunning Little Vixen under Jakub Hrůša and the Czech Philharmonic. Further highlights include Micaëla in Bizet's Carmen in concert at the National Centre for the Performing Arts, Beijing, Brahms's Ein deutsches Requiem with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra at the BBC Proms, Handel's Messiah at Grand Théâtre de Genève, Théâtre des ChampsElysées, Salzburger Festspiele and Mozarteum Salzburg. Tsallagova works regularly with James Gaffigan and both the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Tsallagova was nominated by Opus Classic for ‘Best Singer Of The Year’ in 2021 and in the 63rd annual Grammy awards for a recording of Zemlinsky's Der Zwerg in 2019 with Deutsche Oper Berlin in the Best Opera Recording category.

Her extensive discography includes Martinů's Larmes de coteau with Staatsorchester Stuttgart [Capriccio, 2022], Handel's Messiah with Les Musiciens du Louvre and Vienna Philharmonia Chorus [UNITEL, 2020], Bizet's Carmen at Bergenz Festival [C Major, 2017], Mayr Medea in Corinto with the Bayerische Staatsoper [UNITEL, 2010], Pelleas et Mélisande [UNITEL, 2013] and The Cunning Little Vixen [DVD, 2009] with Opéra National de Paris. The DVD of the latter production was awarded DVD of the year at the 2009 Victoires de la musique.

Tsallagova studied at the St Petersburg Conservatory, and after winning first prize in the Rachmaninov competition, began performing at the Mariinsky Theatre before continuing her studies in Europe.

2025/26 season / 604 words. Not to be altered without permission.