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Maria Krushevskaya wins principal position with Bolshoi Theatre

October 17, 2019

Maria Krushevskaya has been named principal harpist with the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia following an audition that took place Oct. 11. “It is a great honor for me and a huge responsibility,” shares Krushevskaya. The position was previously held by Natalia Shameeva, who retired in 2003, and has since been vacant. With the addition of Krushevskaya as principal harp, the section now includes seven harpists. “It is a wonderful group,” she says.

Candidates auditioning for the principal position were asked to play Bach’s Lute Suite in E-minor, Glinka/Balakirev’s The Lark, and Un Sospiro, by Liszt. Both opera and ballet excerpts were heard, with special focus given to the music of Russian composers such as Tchaikovsky, Glazunov, Rimsky-Korsakov, Stravinsky, and Shostakovich.

Krushevskaya has been solo harpist with the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra since 2013. A native of Moscow, she has received many accolades as a soloist including second prize from Lily Laskine Harp Competition in 2002 and first prize from the USA International Harp Competition in 2007.

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