| Vita - Elena Olenchyk |
Two young musicians, Elena Olenchik and Valeriy Kiseljow dedicated their life to the mandolin, an instrument developed and mainly cultivated in Italy.
Having started their musical career with the domra, a traditional Russian string instrument, Elena and Valeriy continued at the Kiev National Chaikowsky Music Academy and at Gnessin's Russian Musical Academy.
Having successfully taken part in the national and international competitions both Elena and Valeriy gained a top level of perfection at the Wuppertal Conservatoire in Germany.
Since the early years of the new millenium Elena and Valeriy have been cooperating with each other in various projects, finally forming the renowned Opus I Duo.
In 2005 the "Maestro Calace" album was released featuring some of the most important masterpieces of Italian instrument maker and composer Rafaele Calace (1863 - 1934).
Thus combining mandolin and liuto-cantabile Elena and Valeriy became two of only several musicians worldwide familiar to that kind of instrumentation.
At present the Opus I duo guarantees for high level performances and outstanding projects with other musicians, actors, and artists.
