Mikhail Svetlov (bass)  Mikhail Anatolyevich Svetlov (born Krutikov; ) is a Russian bass known for the range and beauty of his voice as well as his acting ability. His voice was described by "The Washington Post" as a "titanic, all-encompassing bass". He was nominated for a 2003 Grammy Award for a recording of Stravinsky's "Histoire du Soldat" and is the first Russian bass ever to perform the title roles in "Don Giovanni" and "The Flying Dutchman". Svetlov studied piano, choral conducting and graduated as a singer from Moscow Conservatory. International career began with a very prestigious and successful debut at the Wexford Festival. Since winning the prestigious Viotti International Competition, praised for his rare technique in the bel canto style, Svetlov was immediately admitted to the permanent troupe of the Bolshoi Theater, as a principal soloist. Numerous important engagements have included performances with the Bolshoi on their tour at New York's Metropolitan Opera and critically acclaimed debuts at Teatro Alla Scala (La Scala) and Royal Albert Hall in London. His recordings of Rachmaninov's "The Miserly Knight" and Alexander Serov's "Judith" were honored by the Telerama Awards (French magazine for television, radio and music) in France. He is well known for his performances of Verdi's "Requiem" throughout the world, including Paris, Moscow, Tokyo, and Montreal. Svetlov performs frequently with Houston Grand Opera, Mephistopheles in "Faust", Don Basilio in "Il Barbiere di Siviglia" and Dikoy in "Katya Kabanova", with L'Opéra de Montréal, the title role in "Boris Godunov", Prince Gremin in "Eugene Onegin", with Florida Grand Opera. Svetlov has appeared with New York City Opera as the title role in Verdi's "Attila", Basilio in "Il Barbiere di Siviglia", Colline in "La Bohème", Banquo in a new production of "Macbeth" and Lorenz in the first fully staged performance of "Mathis der Maler" in the United States. Svetlov's discography includes the world premiere of Rachmaninov's "The Miserly Knight" and Serov's "Judith" on Le Chant du Monde, Shostakovich's "The Gamblers" recorded by Capriccio on Delta Music and Prokofiev's "Bethrothal in a Monastery" recorded by Melodia on BMG Classics, Shostakovich's "14th Symphony" on Virgin Classics, and Grammy nominated in 2003 Stravinsky's "Histoire du Soldat" on Koch International Classics.