Denis Sedov & Karina Pogosbekova

New York, NY — Composers Concordance proudly presents an evening of music for bass voice and piano featuring internationally acclaimed bass DENIS SEDOV AND PIANIST KARINA POGOSBEKOVA ON THURSDAY, July 2nd at 7:00 PM in the ELLINGTON ROOM AT MANHATTAN PLAZA.The centerpiece of the program is Blues from An Airport Bar, a song cycle by Gene Pritsker set to poetry by Jacob Miller. The work captures the unique atmosphere of modern travel, blending humor, reflection, and vivid storytelling through an engaging fusion of contemporary classical music, jazz influences, and poetic imagery. The concert will also feature works by Eugene W. McBride and Dmitri Shostakovich, creating a program that bridges contemporary expression with the enduring power of twentieth-century masterworks. Renowned for his rich, resonant voice and dramatic interpretations, Denis Sedov has performed with leading opera companies and orchestras throughout the world. Acclaimed pianist Karina Pogosbekova brings her exceptional artistry and expressive versatility to this special collaboration. This concert reflects Composers Concordance’s ongoing commitment to presenting adventurous programming and connecting audiences with living composers and innovative musical voices. Denis Sedov is a Russian bass-baritone known for his commanding stage presence and extensive international career in opera and concert performances at the world’s leading venues. He has appeared as a guest principal artist at houses including the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, Opéra de Paris, Royal Opera House Covent Garden, San Francisco Opera, Gran Teatre del Liceu, and Teatro Colón, among others. Sedov was born in Russia and began developing his passion for music at age six. He graduated with honors from the Glinka Choral School at the Glinka State Academic Capella in St. Petersburg, where he specialized in choral conducting. He continued his studies at the Rubin Academy of Music and Dance in Jerusalem before joining the Metropolitan Opera’s Lindemann Young Artist Development Program from 1995 to 1997, studying with teachers including Renata Scotto, Louis Quilico, Régine Crespin, and Carlo Bergonzi. He made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Colline in Puccini’s La bohème. In 1997, he performed in Giordano’s Fedora at the Met alongside Plácido Domingo and Mirella Freni. Throughout his career, Sedov has collaborated with eminent conductors such as James Levine, Riccardo Muti, Seiji Ozawa, Pierre Boulez, and Kurt Masur, as well as artists including Yo-Yo Ma and Anne-Sophie von Otter. Notable highlights include his performance in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony at the opening ceremony of the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics and recordings for labels such as Deutsche Grammophon, Telarc, and Naxos. He remains active in both operatic and concert repertoire, with recent collaborations including Baruch Berliner’s Genesis project since 2024. Karina Pogosbekova is a distinguished collaborative pianist, vocal coach, music director, and educator. She trained at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory, where she completed advanced studies in Piano Performance and Collaborative Piano. A prizewinner of the International Piano Competition in Cincinnati, USA, Karina has also received numerous Best Accompanist awards at vocal festivals and competitions. She collaborates with international organizations, including Lyrica Classic in the United States, and served as Music Director of the international Muffled Voices Opera Festival. Karina currently works as a vocal coach and accompanist for the Vocal Faculty of the Moscow Conservatory and teaches collaborative piano at its Department of Collaborative Piano Art. Alongside her pedagogical work, she maintains an active international performing career, collaborating with leading singers from major opera houses around the world. Since 2019, she has been the founder and Artistic Director of Music of Our Time, a festival dedicated to contemporary vocal music.