Oleg Bezinskikh was born in Oktyabrsk, located in the Samara region of Russia. His educational journey began at Kuibyshev (Samara) College of Culture, followed by studies in stage direction at St. Petersburg State University of Culture and Arts. He furthered his vocal training as a countertenor at the St. Petersburg State Conservatoire named after Rimsky-Korsakov under the guidance of Viktor Yushmanov, an associate professor in the solo singing department, and accompanist Galina Senina. Notably, he attended master classes with renowned German soprano Adele Stolte. Oleg made history as the first and only countertenor to graduate from the St. Petersburg Conservatoire in its 140-year existence.
Bezinskikh made his stage debut while still a student and has primarily performed as a concert singer since then, though he has also participated in various opera productions both in Russia and internationally. His European and American engagements include performing at the XXIX International Music Festival “Wratislavia Cantans” in Wrocław, Poland, alongside Adele Stolte; portraying Learco in the European premiere of “Talestri” by M.A. Walpurgis in Berlin, Meissen, Neuburg, and Munich, Germany; and the French premiere of the “Diplipito” cantata by G. Kancheli at the Evian International Musical Festival of Mstislav Rostropovich in Evian, France, and Geneva, Switzerland. He took on the role of Giant Knight in “Tsar Demian,” a contemporary opera by several Russian composers, in Helsinki, Finland, and performed at the XVI Annual Russian Music Festival in San Francisco, California. Oleg also participated in the International Organ Music Festival in Tallinn, Estonia, played Solomon in G.F. Händel's “Solomon” in Tartu and Tallinn, and was involved in the “Farinelli Kidnapping” performance-pasticcio during the 300th anniversary celebration of the famous 18th-century castrato singer Carlo Broschi Farinelli, as part of the “Farinelli-project” by V. Reshetov in Riga, Latvia.
In Russia, Bezinskikh's notable performances include the Russian premiere of “Nine German Arias” by G.F. Händel at the Glinka State Academic Capella in St. Petersburg; portraying Mephistophiles in A. Schnittke's "Faust-cantata" across St. Petersburg, Petrozavodsk, and Saratov; playing the Holy Fool in M. Mussorgsky's “Boris Godunov” at the St. Petersburg Opera Theatre; and premiering the “Jerusalem” cantata by P. Gekker in St. Petersburg. He has also performed as Alcide in D. Bortnyansky's “Alcide” in Tyumen, Moscow, and St. Petersburg, as well as in “Tsar Demian” in St. Petersburg and Moscow. His appearances have included the Annual International Music Festival “St. Petersburg Palaces,” performing baritone and tenor parts in C. Orff's “Carmina Burana” in Saratov, and singing The Fire and The Voice of the Universe in “Infinity,” an ice opera by A. Soloviova in St. Petersburg, along with numerous solo recitals across various Russian cities.
Bezinskikh has performed in multiple countries, including Russia, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Germany, France, Switzerland, Spain, and the United States. He has collaborated with esteemed conductors such as Anton Sharoev, Tadeusz Wicherek, Mstislav Rostropovich, Yuriy Temirkanov, Alexander Titov, Stephan Maas, Dmitry Vorobiov, Lev Markiz, Alexander Polyshuk, Eduard Serov, Andris Veismanis, Andres Mustonen, Nikolay Vinogradov, and Valery Gergiev. His discography includes several CDs and DVDs, and he has made numerous appearances on radio and television. In 2003, a documentary titled “Russian Miracle,” directed by young filmmaker Sergey Gnilitsky from Samara, was produced about Bezinskikh.
Oleg possesses a vocal range that spans from baritone to soprano (A – b''), enabling him to perform a diverse repertoire that encompasses pieces from various eras and styles. His body of work includes arias from operas, oratorios, and cantatas ranging from the Baroque period to contemporary compositions, as well as lieder and songs in Russian, Italian, and Jewish traditions.
