Anna Pompeeva is a dramatic lyric soprano praised by Opera Canada for her “warm, powerfully unaffected voice, wielded with hopeful longing and operatic command.” Since relocating to Canada from Ukraine in 2023, she has quickly established herself on the national opera and concert stage, appearing with Calgary Opera, Edmonton Opera, the Calgary Civic Symphony, and Orchestre Classique de Montréal.
Recent highlights include Freia in Wagner’s Das Rheingold with Calgary Opera (2024) under Maestro Jonathan Brandani and her acclaimed debut as Sieglinde in Edmonton Opera’s Die Walküre (2025). Upcoming engagements include Verdi’s Requiem with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra on March 20, under the baton of Maestro Karen Kamensek.
From 2013 to 2022, Pompeeva was a leading soprano with the Kharkiv National Opera and Ballet Theatre, where her repertoire included Leonora (Il trovatore), Tosca, Desdemona (Otello), and Lisa (The Queen of Spades), with core roles by Verdi and Puccini.
Anna is a prizewinner at the Montecatini Opera Academy International Competition (Italy, 2022), the Città di Alessandria International Music Competition (Italy, 2021), and Grand Prix laureate of the International Festival-Competition of Vocal Art named after N.A. Obukhova (Ukraine, 2009). In 2020, she received a Special Distinction from the Kharkiv Region of Ukraine for “Great contribution to the creative life of the region.” She holds a PhD in Musical Arts and degrees in Choral Conducting and Performance & Pedagogy from the Kharkiv National University of Arts. Her professional development has included advanced training at the Montecatini Opera Academy (Italy, 2021) and the Canto Vocal Program (USA, 2025), working with internationally recognized conductors, directors, and coaches.
Name:
Anna Pompeeva
Genre:
Opera / Classical / Vocal
Founded:
Active professionally since 2012
Latest Video:
Favourite musician growing up:
Nirvana, Prodigy
Favourite musician now:
I’m a big fan of rock and grunge. Chris Cornell is my favourite vocalist, particularly his work with Soundgarden. I also love Nirvana, Arctic Monkeys, The Mars Volta, and Pearl Jam. From classical music, Verdi and Puccini are my favourites.
Guilty pleasure song:
Confession—I secretly love Britney Spears.
Live show ritual:
Light physical activity helps me reset — often cleaning the house, which relaxes and distracts my nervous system. I keep my voice in rest and try to avoid too much social interaction that day. I prefer to stay focused on the music I’m about to perform. And, of course, good food.
Favourite local musician:
I admire many talented Calgary musicians and colleagues, one of them, Esteban Herrera.
EP or LP?
LP
Early bird or night owl?
Early bird.
Road or studio?
Road
Any shows or albums coming up?
I’ll be performing Verdi’s Requiem with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra on March 20. I’m really looking forward to this performance, as Verdi’s Requiem is one of the most beautiful musical works ever created. It is sacred music written on a religious text, yet at the same time it is incredibly passionate, expressing the intensity and rawness of human nature — with all its fears, pleas, and hopes.
Where can we follow you?
Website | Instagram | OperaBase
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Rapid Fire Local Questions:
What is your favourite local restaurant?
Osteria Chef’s Table
What is your favourite street in your city and why?
Crescent Road — stunning views of downtown Calgary with the mountains on the horizon.
What is your favourite park in your city and why?
Fish Creek Provincial Park — endless trails and nature.
What is your favourite music venue in your city?
Jack Singer Concert Hall and the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium — both are incredible performance spaces.
What is your favourite music store in your city?
Long & McQuade — everything a musician could need.
