This singer is described as an ambassador of Ukrainian culture in the world. Her talent is admired by opera buffs in various countries. She made her name internationally after her triumphant debut in La Traviata at a music festival in Saltsburg. This was followed by the parts of Gilda in Rigoletto, Rosina in The Barber of Seville, Adina in L’elisir d’amore performed in the world’s leading opera houses in Vienna, Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, London, Milan, Naples, New York, Paris, Tokyo, and so on. Among her partners were legendary tenors like Luciano Pavarotti, Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo, and Marcello Alvarez, conductor Riccardo Muti, and other celebrated performers. “Viktoria’s voice is strong and beautiful; they had to hear her in Capri,” said Pavarotti. He compared the Ukrainian singer to the legendary Maria Callas. At present, operas are staged in Europe specially for Lukianets. She and her family have lived in Vienna for the past 15 years as it is the most convenient place from which to reach any part of the globe. Her schedule is very tight and made several years ahead, but she manages to find at least several days to visit her native Ukraine, her relatives and friends, and give a concert or two to make her many admirers happy. Every season the prima donna prepares new operatic parts and solo programs. International fame has not made her star sick and her working capacity is amazing. She always warmly remembers her late professors Ivan Palyvoda and Yelyzaveta Chavdar: “They are no longer among the living, but I will remember their lessons all my life; they set me on my creative course, which I’m still following,” says Lukianets.
This time, on Nov. 27, 2009, her program in Kyiv will consist of world classical pieces and popular arias from operettas by Johann Strauss and Franz Lehar.
She will be accompanied by the National Philharmonic Society’s Symphony Orchestra directed by Mykola Diadiura.
