Alexander Chernushenko
artistic director and chief conductor, People's Artist of Russia
The People’s Artist of Russia Alexander Vladislavovich Chernushenko (born on 18 July 1960) is a bright representative of the St Petersburg conducting school. After graduating from the M.I. Glinka Choral College by the Leningrad State Capella, he continued his musical education in the Leningrad State Conservatory (Opera and Symphony Conducting class of Professor Ilya Musin), which he graduated from in 1984. While still a student, he formed a student orchestra at the Conservatory, which started to give regular classical music concerts.
After his graduation from the Conservatory, Alexander Chernushenko worked as a conductor for the Cheliabinsk Opera and Ballet Theater (1986-1988), after which he received an invitation from the Mikhailovsky Theater (called the Leningrad Maly Opera and Ballet Theater at the time). Later he became the Chief Conductor of the Leningrad Conservatory Musical Theater.
Not only did conducting for these theaters acquaint the conductor with the wide-ranging opera and ballet repertoire, but it also gave him experience in self-directed staging. In autumn 1991, Alexander Chernushenko re-established a symphony orchestra by the St Petersburg State Capella, formed its staffing profile, and became its permanent Chief Conductor on 1 November 1991. The orchestra’s core consisted of young musicians – the St Petersburg Conservatory graduates. Right from the first concerts, the orchestra proved itself as a highly professional symphony orchestra.
Directed by Alexander Chernushenko, the Capella Symphony Orchestra gave concerts in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Greece, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Great Britain, Ireland, China, Japan, South Korea, Finland, Croatia, Lithuania and many other countries.
Being one of the leading Russian conductors, Alexander Chernushenko often receives invitations to conduct concerts for numerous soloists and orchestras in Russia, the CIS countries, Europe, the USA, Japan etc. He took part in organizing international creative events such as the “Schubertiades” Festival, the “Neva Choral Assemblies” Festival, the “Dreiklang” festival, the Sergey Prokofiev Competition, etc.
Alexander Chernushenko took part in recording a great deal of CDs produced in a number of countries. One of the most remarkable projects was recording three operas, two oratorios and a Requiem by Mikis Theodorakis, performed by the Capella Choir and Symphony Orchestra.
Recordings made for the Chandos and Naxos sound recording corporations are also at the top of the list.
