Igor Mikhailovich Nepomniashi 
General Director

Awarded the honorable title of Deserved Artist of Russia in 1984, Igor Mikhailovich Nepomniashi has also served as the director of the theatre in Voronezh since 1988. 

Russian opera lovers easily recognize know Nepomniashi’s name as he is a highly regarded Bass-Baritone not only for his beautiful timbre, full range, but for his natural gift of musical acting. In all of his work he displays fine musical taste and eminent culture, making his audience empathize with his characters in laughter, love and sorrow. 

During his 30 years of performance on stages throughout Russia, Igor Mikhailovich Nepomniashi has performed more than 50 roles.  He has performed a variety of leading roles such as Basilio in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Ferrando in Il Trovatore, Amonasro in Aida, Phillip in Verdi’s Don Carlos, and Mephistopheles in Gunod’s Faust and many others 

His signature role is widely considered to be Peter the Great in Stavonin’s opera Vivat, Russia! Nepomniashi saw this character as temperamental, gentle, angry, humorous and fun. 

Born in 1947 in Odessa, Nepomniashi trained at the Moscow Musical Theater.  The role of Gremin in Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin became Igor Nepomniashi’s debut on the stage of the Voronezh Theater.

Upon graduation of the Voronezh Choreography Institute, Ekaterina Liubih joined the State Ballet Theatre of Russia.  Today she is the leading ballet dancer. Highlighted performances include appearances in the roles of  of Odette-Odelia in Swan Lake, Sylphyde in Le Sylphide, Nurida in 1001 Nights, Carmen in Carmen Suite, Mirta in Giselle and many others.  Ekaterina has toured with the State Ballet Theatre as well as other ballet groups on numerous occasions to the United States, Germany, Netherlands, France, China, as well as others.

After graduating Voronezh choreographic institute, Alexandra Alimova was invited to the theater’s ballet group and quickly learned the repertoire.  She successfully performs leading and soloist lyric-romantic roles with mastery – Masha in Nutcracker, Giselle, Selphyde.  She also dances modern parts such as that of the young lady in the modern ballet Death Angels. Alexandra has performed in Germany, Holland, France, and China, as well as other countries where the State Ballet Theatre has toured.

People’s Artist of Russia Tatiana Frolova is a laureate of Japan’s International Competition of Ballet Artists. A graduate of the Voronezh Choreography Institute, her repertoire includes classical as well as modern-style roles such as Odette-Odelia in Swan Lake, Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, Maria in The Nutcracker, Giselle, Sylphyde and Kitri in Don Quixote, as well as modern choreography roles such as Carmen in Carmen Suite, Sheherezade in 1001 Nights, Conchitta in rock-ballet Unona and Avos, as well as Icedora Dunkan in Esenin and Dunkan. Tatiana often tours abroad and has performed in many countries including Germany, Norway, United States, England, France, Spain and Portugal.

Upon graduation from the Voronezh Choreography Institute, Vladislav Ivanov joined the State Ballet Theatre.  In short time, he became a leading soloist, performing both the classical and modern repertoire including performances as Albert in Giselle, Prince Zigfried in Swan Lake, Desiree in Sleeping Beauty, Nutcracker, James in Le Sylphide, Shahriar in 1001 Nights, Rezanov and Federico in Unona and Avos, and Jose in Carmen Suite.  Vladislav regularly tours abroad with the State Ballet Theatre and other ballet groups. He has performed in Germany, France, Netherlands, England and other countries and took part in United States’ Ballet Festival, working with American stage and ballet stage masters. 

Leading soloist Dennis Kaganer came to the State Ballet Theatre while he was still a student at the Voronezh Choreography Institute. He quickly assumed the position of the leading soloist. His artistic repertoire includes leading roles as extensive and diverse as the Prince in The Nutcracker, Zigfried in Swan Lake, Desiree in Sleeping Beauty, Albert in Giselle, Danila in Stone Flower, Young Man in the modern ballet Esenin and Dunkan . In 2004 Dennis became a Laureate of the International Competition of Ballet Dancers in Vienna, Austria.  On countless occasions he has participated in ballet festivals, toured in the United States, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Austria as well as other countries.

Alexander Lityagin‘s credo is to dance as much as possible and not to rest on his laurels. His work differs in its high technique, emotional fulfillment and artistry.  He is a graduate of the Voronezh Choreograph institute.  Comfortable dancing classical as well as modern ballet, his repertoire includes many roles such as that of Albert in Giselle, Prince Zigfried in Swan Lake, the Charmer in modern ballet Angels of Death, Resanov in rock-ballet Unona and Avos, Esenin in ballet Esenin and Dunkan, and Shahriar in 1001 Nights. 

A graduate of the Voronezh Choreography Institute, Eugene Rudakov is now a ballet soloist.  He is a classical dancer who can create an image with a bright and blunt character regardless of the role being performed. Some of the roles he  has performed on the Voronezh stage include Esenin’s alter-ego, an evil spirit that follows the main character, in Esenin and Dunkan, in Ribnikov’s rock-ballet Unona and Avos, and the enchanter in the modern ballet Angels Of Death. Eugene also toured with the company in Germany and China.