The Russian harpist Alexandre Boldachev. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Alexandre Boldachev was immersed in music even before birth—his mother, a pianist and teacher at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory, continued performing in concerts while pregnant. Born in 1990 in Saint Petersburg, Boldachev grew up surrounded by music. His home life was filled with concerts, operas, and ballets, including performances at the prestigious Mariinsky Theatre. “Music was a common thing at home,” he says.Despite being raised in one of classical music’s great nations, Boldachev is critical of corruption in Russia’s musical institutions. His departure from the Bolshoi Theatre, amplified by the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, left him without a permanent home. “I’ve visited 50 countries and 100 cities so far. I feel I belong to all of them—I feel at home everywhere,” he says.Although he began his musical studies in Saint Petersburg,...
Alexandre Boldachev was immersed in music even before birth—his mother, a pianist and teacher at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory, continued performing in concerts while pregnant. Born in 1990 in Saint Petersburg, Boldachev grew up surrounded by music. His home life was filled with concerts, operas, and ballets, including performances at the prestigious Mariinsky Theatre. “Music was a common thing at home,” he says.Despite being raised in one of classical music’s great nations, Boldachev is critical of corruption in Russia’s musical institutions. His departure from the Bolshoi Theatre, amplified by the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, left him without a permanent home. “I’ve visited 50 countries and 100 cities so far. I feel I belong to all of them—I feel at home everywhere,” he says.Although he began his musical studies in...