Julia Lezhneva, welcome to Ascona! Do you have personal or emotional ties to Ticino and the South?
When I think of Ticino, I immediately imagine the beauty of the landscape and the historic architecture of the South. The region is famous for its beautiful lakes surrounded by magnificent mountains, and there is something very special about this meeting of nature, culture, and Mediterranean spirit. Even before arriving, it evokes in me a sense of warmth, beauty, and inspiration.
At classicAscona, you perform three distinct programs: a solo role in Mozart’s Great Mass in C minor, a vocal recital with lute, and a Baroque gala with orchestra. What are your artistic goals for such a residency? What do you want to convey to the audience?
I look forward to presenting these three facets of classical music to the festival audience and, through them, to showcasing the richness and diversity of this repertoire. Mozart’s Great Mass in C minor is a monumental, deeply spiritual work for choir and orchestra. Although unfinished, it remains one of his greatest contrapuntal masterpieces and contains music of extraordinary emotional depth. The Lieder recital offers a very different experience. This genre has become quite rare on today’s concert stages, yet it creates an intimate bond with the audience. Each song tells a small story – of love, longing, or tragedy – condensed into just two or three minutes of pure emotion. Finally, the Baroque gala celebrates the brilliance and expressive freedom of the Baroque repertoire, with its virtuosity, drama, and rich orchestral colors. Presenting these programs is a way for me to share the incredible variety of classical music. I believe that classical music and the arts can act as an anchor in our lives-they reconnect people to something timeless and meaningful, which seems especially important at this time.
Your voice is often described as pure, clear, and extraordinarily virtuosic. The press speaks of an “angelic voice” (New York Times) and praises your “messa di voce” (the art of bringing sound to life and death on a single breath). How much is innate, and how much is the result of study and discipline?
The natural sound of the voice is, of course, largely something one is born with. At the same time, it also reflects the singer’s personality and character. However, developing a voice and learning to use it freely and expressively takes many years of constant study and intense work. Only through careful study and experience can a singer gradually discover her own voice and interpretive style. It is equally important to maintain balance — to give the voice, body, and mind enough time to rest and recover. Singing is a very demanding art form, and taking care of one’s instrument is essential to a long artistic journey.
You will also hold a masterclass in Ascona for the first time in your career. What would you like to convey to young singers?
For young singers, I think it is crucial to discover their authentic voice and a personal way of expressing emotions through music. My goal in the masterclass is to accompany them in this process: to help them explore their individual sound, musicality, and expressive possibilities. Finding one’s artistic voice is a challenging, sometimes long and tiring journey, but it is also one of the most fulfilling aspects of being a singer.
Hopefully, you will also have time to get to know the Locarno region. What are you most looking forward to? One of my favorite hobbies is hiking in the mountains, and I love discovering remote places and staying connected with nature. I have heard about the beautiful side valleys of the Maggia Valley and the Centovalli, and I am looking forward to experiencing the many faces of Ticino. It seems to be a place where a rich cultural life is combined with an exceptional quality of life and stunningly beautiful nature, and I am excited to explore every aspect of it.
