Du’s musical journey began with at 16, he was invited by Professor Elvira to study for a bachelor’s, master’s, and postdoctoral degree at the Odessa National A. V. Nezhdanova Academy of Music. American tenor George Gong recommended him for advanced studies at the Manhattan School of Music and Mannes School of Music in New York.
Du’s journey is a testament to his exceptional artistic talent. His debut as Rodolfo at the Odessa National Opera and Ballet Theater showcased his potential, leading to endorsements from Professor Elvira (recipient of the Friendship Award from former Premier minister Wen Jiabao) and the vocal faculty at Odessa. From 2009 to 2012, he taught vocal music at Odessa Nezhdanova Music Academy. He organized charity performances for the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake with the Odessa Philharmonic Orchestra, gaining recognition from the public, media, and the city’s mayor. In 2012, he received Ukraine’s Presidential Medal of Honor and the Artistic Gold Award.
In 2011, he won an award at the China International Vocal Competition in NingBo where he gained the appreciation and support of American tenor George Gong, marking the start of his North American artistic career. In 2012, he was invited by baritone Renato Bruson to perform in Siena, later joining the Scala Young Artists Program, and was subsequently accepted at the Manhattan School of Music. His studies at both Manhattan and Mannes enriched his North American musical perspective. In 2014, he joined the prestigious Cardiff Artists Program with the Welsh National Opera. Du’s performances across the United States, Canada, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, France, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Russia, Japan, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia have garnered widespread acclaim, and he now collaborates with the renowned Lombardo agency.
A recent career highlight was his performance of Mozart’s final work, the Requiem, with renowned conductor Joseph Napoli at Carnegie Hall, New York, in June 2024.
For the past six years, Du has worked closely with the esteemed American Russian pianist and coach Vera Stern, celebrated for her expertise in Russian repertoire and as former coach to Dmitri Hvorostovsky. Together, they have held numerous recitals at the French Embassy in Washington, D.C., featuring Russian masterpieces. These included a Tchaikovsky recital commemorating the 180th anniversary of his birth and a Rachmaninoff recital marking his 150th anniversary, attended by Rachmaninoff’s granddaughter and the French Ambassador to the U.S. They went on to present Rimsky-Korsakov’s Mozart and Salieri and Rachmaninoff’s Aleko, and performed Eugene Onegin at Lincoln Center, with future plans to stage Tchaikovsky’s Iolanta and Eugene Onegin in Washington. The French Embassy in Washington has also invited Du back to perform more Russian art song recitals, including works by Rimsky-Korsakov and Glinka. Numerous diplomats have been his guests in Washington, D.C.
His performances at iconic venues like Lincoln Center, including Bellini’s La Sonnambula, and Carnegie Hall, such as a tribute to Giuseppe Giacomini with Giacomini himself traveling from Italy to New York, further highlight his artistic prowess.
Du’s operatic and concert tours have left an indelible mark worldwide. His repertoire includes masterpieces like I Puritani, Faust, Les pêcheurs de perles, Don Giovanni, La Bohème, La Traviata, Gianni Schicchi, Eugene Onegin, Aleko, and Mozart and Salieri. Whether in L’elisir d’amore, or dramatic works like Rigoletto and Sacco e Vanzetti, Du’s remarkable vocal artistry resonates deeply with audiences around the globe.
Du has won numerous prestigious awards, including the Gerda Lissner Foundation Competition and Giulio Gari International Vocal Competition in the U.S., Mykola Lysenko International Music Competition in Ukraine, Nezhdanova International Vocal Competition in Odessa, Shalyapin International Vocal Competition in Russia, Ningbo International Vocal Competition in China, and, most recently in 2023, the Altamura/Caruso International Lyric Competition Gold Award in Siena, Italy. His dedication, passion, and unparalleled skill as a tenor have woven a tapestry of music that resonates worldwide.
