Yuri Afonkin (Viola soloist)
Honoured Artist of Russia
Yuri Afonkin was born in Leningrad in 1978. In 2002 he graduated from the St Petersburg Conservatoire (class of Professor Vladimir Stopichev). From 1996 to 1999 he was a soloist with the St Petersburg Academic Glinka Capella Orchestra. Since 2000 he has been Principal Viola of the Mariinsky Orchestra.
At the Mariinsky he performs orchestra solos in the operas and ballets (Tosca, Turandot et al.) as well as in symphonic concerts. He also plays recitals and chamber concerts and participates at the festivals and concert tours of the theatre. Yuri Afonkin appeared as soloist with the Mariinsky Orchestra, Glinka Cappella Orchestra, Perm Opera Orchestra, Pskov Philharmonic, collaborated with the conductors including Valery Gergiev, Christian Knapp, Nikolaj Znajder, Alexander Tchernushenko. His vaste repertoire embraces solo works from the 17th century to the contemporary music, including the major viola opus, Hector Berlioz’s symphony Harold en Italie. Afonkin performs solo concerts at the Concert hall and chamber halls of the Mariinsky theatre.
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