Veronica Bell and Vladimir Chernov
in concert
PROGRAM: Italian operatic arias and art songs
Friday, May 17, 2026 | 5:00 PM
First Congregational Church of Los Angeles
Shatto Chapel
540 S Commonwealth Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90020
FREE PARKING
TICKETS:
General Admission $50
VIP $65(Reserved seating and unlimited champagne)
Vladimir Chernov, baritone
Internationally renowned Russian baritone Vladimir Chernov was born near Krasnodar in southern Russia. Although his family did not have a formal musical tradition, music was always present at home. From an early age, Chernov was inspired by his grandmother’s singing, his parents’ guitar and mandolin playing, and the classical works played on the radio and gramophone, which sparked his dream of a life in vocal performance and theater.
Mr. Chernov began vocal training in Stavropol before entering the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow. After graduating, he joined the Kirov Opera in St. Petersburg as a soloist, quickly gaining recognition in major international competitions, including the International Tchaikovsky Competition, Voci Verdiani, and the Miriam Helin Vocal Competition. During this period, he also studied with Giulietta Simionato at the Accademia della Scala di Milano.
As a soloist of the Marinsky Opera house, his repertoire included Figaro in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Malatesta in Don Pasquale, Shelkalov in Boris Gudonov, the title role in Eugene Onegin, Count Yeletsky in Pique Dame, and several other roles in contemporary works. He also frequently performed oratorios and cantatas by J.S. Bach, as well as works by Scarlatti, Gluck, Hayden, and Handel, throughout Europe and Russia. His devotion to German classical art songs was essential. He sang several cycles of Schubert and Gustav Mahler. He is also known for his unique expression of the bel canto repertoire and has been hailed as one of the leading Verdi baritones in the world. Mr. Chernov’s rich vocal tone, unmatched acting ability, and impeccable musicality are recognized and praised throughout the operatic world.
As his reputation grew, Chernov was invited to perform in the United States and at leading opera houses across Europe and the world. He made notable debuts at the Metropolitan Opera, Covent Garden, Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, and Vienna Staatsoper, and performed under many renowned conductors. Chernov is celebrated for his rich vocal tone, artistry, and versatility, and is recognized as one of the preeminent Verdi baritones of his generation. Mr. Chernov currently serves as a professor of vocal arts at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music
Please enjoy the video on our MEDIA page.
Veronica Bell, soprano
Russian-born American soprano Veronica Bell has gained international acclaim for her beautiful tone and a uniquely charismatic and personal style. Her every live performance and studio recording, including the recent classical crossover album Midnight Affairs, is a reflection of her passionate and at times unconventional take on classical music.
Veronica has given countless concerts in the United States, Russia, Italy, France, Poland, Germany, Spain, Austria, Guatemala, and Thailand, where she was personally invited by Her Majesty Queen Sirikit to perform at the Royal Palace in Bangkok.
She has collaborated as a soloist with the Moscow State Symphony, San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, Capella Cracoviensis, Mimoda Jazzo, and the musical theater Wandering Stars, among others, and currently has an ongoing engagement with the Los Angeles-based Windsong Players Chamber Ensemble, performing a wide variety of music from the Baroque to modern periods.
Veronica won the Hollywood Music in Media Awards for her cross-gender operatic album Les Frissons D'Amour, which included arias for both male and female voices. She received a Silver Medal from the Global Music Awards for the same album. Ms. Bell also became a winner of the Clouzine International vocal competition and the Belgrade International Music Competition.
Ms. Bell has performed and recorded music by composers Maximilian Simončič (Slovakia), Ron Caviani (Italy), JJ Hollingsworth (USA), Arkady Serper (Russia), Ruben Aghiyan (Armenia/USA), and Carol Worthey (USA). Veronica's collaboration with Norwegian composer and guitarist Gisle Krogseth resulted in a concert tour in Italy, followed by a recording of Mr. Krogseth's song cycle, The Mountain Songs, which premiered with great success on Norwegian National Radio.
Veronica’s classical-crossover album Midnight Affairs and a recent Holiday album, Into the Wonderland, are currently being aired on over fifty radio stations in the US, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Ms. Bell is currently working on two new albums and multiple concert programs. In addition, she maintains a full private vocal studio. Her next European tours are scheduled for the fall of 2025 and 2026.
UPCoMING EVENTS
 April 22 | 7 PMG. Podgorski and K. Kawahara perform at the Greystone Mansion, Beverly Hills, April 22, 2026 at 7 PM |  April 23 | 7 PMD. Olevsky and D. Volman perform at the Greystone Mansion, Beverly Hills, April 23, 2026 at 7 PM |  April 24 | 7 PMJ. Walz, E. Schultz, and T. Durkovic perform at the Greystone Mansion, Beverly Hills, April 24, 2026 at 7 PM |  March 20 | 7 PMAndrew Sords, violin, John Walz, cello, and Tim Durkovic, piano perform at the Hollywood Piano in Pasadena, March 20, 2026 at 7 PM |
|---|---|---|---|
 May 15 | 7 PMSoprano Veronica Bell and baritone Vladimir Chernov in concert. Date and venue TDA |
