Aigul Akhmetshina

Aigul Akhmetshina is a Bashkir operatic mezzo-soprano.

Early life and education Akhmetshina was born in 1996 in the village of Kirgiz-Miyaki in the Republic of Bashkortostan in the Russian Federation.

In 2016 she graduated from Ufa State Institute of Arts.

Her family were amateur singers and encouraged her talent. After being refused the opportunity to study music at a Moscow university, she gained a place on the Jette Parker Young Artists Programme at the Royal Opera House in London.

Career On New Year's Eve 2023, Akhmetshina appeared in the title role in Carmen at the Metropolitan Opera. She was described by Zachary Woolfe of the New York Times as "the only truly impressive aspect" of the production. In 2024, Akhmetshina appeared in the same opera and role at the Royal Opera House.

Recordings Akhmetshina's first album, titled Aigul, was released on 26 July 2024, on the Decca Classics label. It features arias from Carmen, Werther, I Capuleti e i Montecchi, La Cenerentola, The Barber of Seville; Daniele Rustioni conducting the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. In a five star review in The Guardian, Erica Jeal wrote "Her debut solo recording perfectly showcases the glowing expansiveness, swagger and breathtaking poise of Akhmetshina’s arresting voice". The German magazine named the album CD of the month in its September issue.

Awards 2017 – Grand Prix of International Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition 2023 – Winner of International Opera Awards