In short
Maria Barakova is listed as a mezzo-soprano soloist in the Boston Symphony Orchestra's concert performances of Tchaikovsky's The Queen of Spades, on January 29 and 31, 2027. The directory has no further biography, so this page stays with the listing.
What to listen for
A mezzo-soprano has a voice sitting between soprano and alto, often richer and darker than the highest voices. The Queen of Spades is an opera about gambling and obsession, and its mezzo parts include the Countess, an old woman said to know a secret winning card combination, and the young woman's companions. Tchaikovsky wrote vivid, character-defining music for these roles, which suit a voice with warmth and a dramatic edge.
Written by OrchestraFinder, reviewed October 2026.