With her second album, Aigul Akhmetshina—one of the most exciting opera stars of our time—presents a passionate portrait of female strength, seduction, and vulnerability. Accompanied by Antonio Pappano on the piano, the young mezzo-soprano guides listeners through a diverse repertoire that spans languages and cultures.

Her moving life story—from a remote village in rural Bashkortostan to the world’s most prestigious stages—has made her a revelation in the opera world. She is the youngest singer ever to have sung the title role in Bizet’s “Carmen” at London’s Royal Opera House.