Autumn Concert Series featuring Irina Bessonova

The Library's Autumn Concert Series takes place on Fridays from September 1 to November 3. Each concert will begin at 1 p.m. in the Winn Room. Doors will open 15 minutes prior to the performance. This week will feature classical pianist Irina Bessonova playing romantic pieces by Chopin including Mazurkas, Waltzes, Nocturnes and Etudes.

Russian-born Irina Bessonova is an accomplished pianist who has performed throughout Europe, Russia, and Ukraine. Winner of the Lysenko Competition in Ukraine, Bessonova has performed extensively in Ukraine as a soloist and has accompanied a number of famous Ukrainian singers, such as Victor Sportko, Lina Prochorova, and Tatiana Russova.

Bessonova’s talent was recognized early: she began studying music at age four at the National Music School for Gifted Children. She received instruction from the famous pianist Ariadna Lysenko. She graduated from Kiev State Conservatory with a Master of Arts degree in Piano, Ensemble Performance, Accompaniment and Piano Pedagogy. Bessonova was employed by the Glier College of Music in Kiev, Ukraine, for 15 years where she served as a piano teacher and leading accompanist, until she moved with her family to San Diego in 2002.

In the US, she has continued her career as a piano soloist, accompanist, and teacher. She performs regularly in San Diego and Los Angeles, often accompanying great singers such as the soloists Nikolai Gutorovich and Lydia Zacharenko of the Musical Theater of Stanislavsky; Aleksandr Agamirzov, laureate of New York Voice Competition; Susana Poretsky, a soloist for the Metropolitan and the San Diego Opera; Larisa Tetuev, a soloist for the Israel Opera; famous violinist Irina Tseitlin, the winner of many competitions; and the renowned cellist Gayana Mndolyan. Bessonova has also performed with Serge Walter, soloist of the Frankfurt Society Orchestra and winner of the Wieniawski Competition.

Bessonova has also worked with the Small Opera of San Diego as a recital accompanist, as well as participated in an international production of the Broadway musical Thief, a production based on the music of Russian composer Vladimir Shainsky. Bessonova has also worked at the San Diego Academy of Ballet, and serves as a teacher and accompanist at the California Institute of Music of San Diego.

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