At the European Capital of Culture gala in Chemnitz, Olga Peretyatko was awarded for her outstanding contribution to European culture.
On May 9, 2025, world-renowned soprano Olga Peretyatko was honored with the European Culture Award (Europäischer Kulturpreis) during a glittering ceremony held at the Chemnitz Opera House. The event took place as part of the European Capital of Culture 2025 celebrations and gathered numerous distinguished guests from across Europe.
The award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to European culture and promote unity across the continent. Alongside Olga Peretyatko, this year’s laureates included actor Matthias Schweighöfer, figure skating legend Katarina Witt, football icon Michael Ballack, tenor Joseph Calleja, conductor Anna Rakitina, and legendary band Alphaville.
The gala, attended by high-profile figures such as Saxony’s Minister President Michael Kretschmer, was a celebration of cultural excellence and European solidarity. The Robert Schumann Philharmonic hosted the evening with a powerful musical program.
This recognition highlights Olga Peretyatko’s continued artistic excellence and her significant role in preserving and promoting Europe’s cultural heritage through music
Olga Peretyatko Makes Her Staged Debut as Leonora in Il trovatore at Hamburg State Opera
Olga Peretyatko has made her much-anticipated staged debut as Leonora in Verdi’s Il trovatore at the Hamburg State Opera. The performances took place on March 27, April 1, and April 5, 2025, under the baton of Paolo Arrivabeni, leading the Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg. The production was directed by Immo Karaman and featured baritone George Petean as Count di Luna.
This marked a new milestone in the soprano’s Verdi repertoire. Olga had previously performed the role of Leonora in a concert version of the opera at the Bremen Music Festival, conducted by Jérémie Rohrer with Le Cercle de l'Harmonie on period instruments. The concert cast included Ivan Magrì as Manrico and Agnieszka Rehlis as Azucena.
With her signature musicality and dramatic presence, Olga Peretyatko continues to explore new artistic dimensions in the Italian operatic tradition.
The project in Japan marked a significant milestone in Olga Peretyatko's career. Mathilde is her 12th Rossini role, and this production made history as the first staged performance of the opera in French in Japan.
Olga praised the high level of organization, the cohesion of the team, and the creative freedom she was given. Mathilde's contrast between love and duty allowed her to explore new vocal and dramatic dimensions.
Critics highlighted:
"Elegant stage presence and strong emotional connection with her partner," — OperaWire.
"The duet with Arnold struck an emotional chord with the audience," — Plays to See.
"Her aria Sombre forêt deeply impressed with its refined phrasing and vocal control," — Japan News.
"A perfect combination of stage grace and vocal expressiveness," — BachTrack.
This long-awaited debut emphasized Olga's maturity as an artist, further cementing her status as a leading soprano in the operatic world.
World-renowned opera diva Olga Peretyatko received the prestigious honorary title of "Kammersängerin."
The award ceremony took place on October 13, 2024, during a celebratory event marking the 30th anniversary of the Hamburg Opera Studio. The award was presented by Dr. Carsten Brosda, Hamburg's Senator for Culture and Media. All honorees also performed in a gala concert.
The Senate of Hamburg awards the honorary titles of "Kammersänger" and "Kammersängerin" to artists who have made outstanding contributions to the world of music. The previous recipient of this honor was Klaus Florian Vogt in 2019.
In 2024, the Hamburg Senate selected four internationally acclaimed singers who have been closely associated with the Hamburg State Opera's International Opera Studio — Olga Peretyatko, Vida Miknevičiūtė, Christoph Pohl, and Alexander Tsymbalyuk. Today, they are among the most sought-after performers in their field and frequent guests at the world’s leading opera houses.