First opera singer to merit a place in TIME magazine's "100 Most Influential People in the World" (2007).
Although St. Petersburg is her home, has a special affection for San Francisco since it was where she launched her American career.
She studied at the St. Petersburg Conservatory for many years, and upon
completing her schooling, she got a job cleaning at the theater.
Applied for Austrian citizenship in Vienna (March 2006).
Her performance as "Donna Anna" in "Don Giovanni", conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt
at the 2002 Salzburg Festival, made her a superstar of opera in
Europe.
When I am not on the stage, it is always very difficult for the public
to find me! I am a private person who does not always want to be in the
spotlight!"