Aleksander Pokryshevsky
Bass
Last 3 major performances
- Banquo in Verdi’s Macbeth, Gertrude Opera, 2019
- Jesus in Bach’s St John Passion, Melbourne Chamber Choir, 2019
- Storm Knight in Rimsky-Korsakov’s Kashchey the Immortal, Citi Opera, 2018
Education/Training
Victorian College of the Arts Opera Studio – Postgraduate Diploma in Voice, Opera Singing
Age when you started singing
I was 14 years old when I started to sing in a children’s folk ensemble in Ukraine. We toured extensively throughout the former Soviet Union states and Europe.
Favourite opera
It would have to be Tosca. It was one of the first operas I performed as part of the Opera Australia chorus. I was mesmerised by the performance of John Wegner as Baron Scarpia. I stayed in the wings for the entire second Act of Tosca for every performance. The music gets right into my veins every time. It’s dark, seductive and powerful. I would love to sing Scarpia one day.
Favourite opera role to perform
Colline from La bohème is my favourite. Youth, students, love, Paris – what can be better?
A fun fact not many people know about you
I come from the musical family. My mom, mother-in-law and sister are all professional musicians. We did a concert few years ago for Melbourne’s Russian speaking community, where only members of our family performed including my kids, who were 12 and 7 years old at the time. My eldest son, Anton, who is now 16, is an accomplished pianist, and these days I get him to accompany me at some of my concerts.
Tell us about your hobbies outside opera
- I love all sports, especially football and tennis. I have been going to the Australian Open for last 15 years.
- I love travelling and am thankful to my wife, who is a brilliant organiser of all our family travel adventures.
Quotes
“Taking the bass role as Kashchey’s Storm Knight, Burya Bogatyr, Melbourne-based Russian bass, Alex Pokryshevsky surged authoritatively with gusto in deep earthy territory to impress.”
Opera Chaser, 24 March 2018
