Ukrainian opera and symphonic conductor

Victoria Zhadko

Conductor, guitarist and educator, Honored Artist of Ukraine, prizewinner of international competitions and one of the first Ukrainian women conductors to build a broad international career.

Photo from Victoria Zhadko's archive

1994 Honored Artist of Ukraine
First Prize Prokofiev and Fitelberg conducting competitions
20+ countries international tours as conductor and guitarist
1997-2000 chief conductor of the Kharkiv Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra

Biography

From classical guitar to the symphonic podium

Victoria Zhadko was born in Kyiv. After studying at the Luhansk Music College, she continued her education at the Kyiv State Conservatory: in 1991 she graduated in classical guitar, and in 1993 in opera and symphonic conducting.

Her professional biography brings together three strong lines: conducting, classical guitar performance and teaching. She has worked with leading Ukrainian symphonic and chamber ensembles, appeared at international festivals, and has archival recordings on Ukrainian Radio.

Professional Focus

Conducting for the stage, studio and education

01

Symphonic and opera programs

Work with classical repertoire, contemporary scores, festival programs and large concert formats.

02

Contemporary Ukrainian music

Interpretation of works by Ukrainian composers, premieres and programs that connect academic tradition with the present moment.

03

Master classes and jury work

Educational work for conductors, guitarists and young performers, plus jury participation in national and international competitions.

Collaboration

Ukrainian and international orchestras

Victoria Zhadko's work includes collaborations with Ukrainian symphonic and chamber orchestras, including ensembles of the National Radio Company of Ukraine, the National Opera of Ukraine, Kyiv Camerata, Kyiv Soloists and the National Academic Wind Orchestra of Ukraine.

Internationally, her activity is connected with orchestras in Poland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Finland, the United Kingdom, Romania and other countries. Sources mention the Helsinki Philharmonic, Rotterdam Philharmonic, Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra and London Schubert Players.

  • Honored Academic Symphony Orchestra of Ukrainian Radio
  • National Opera of Ukraine
  • Kyiv Camerata
  • Kyiv Soloists
  • Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra
  • London Schubert Players

Career

Selected milestones

  1. Classical guitar

    Graduated from the Kyiv State Conservatory in classical guitar.

  2. Opera and symphonic conducting

    Completed conducting studies and won the Sergei Prokofiev International Conducting Competition.

  3. Honored Artist of Ukraine

    A national title marking her growing professional recognition.

  4. International recognition

    First Prize at the Grzegorz Fitelberg International Competition for Conductors in Katowice.

  5. Kharkiv Philharmonic

    Artistic director and chief conductor of the Kharkiv Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra.

  6. International jury

    Invited to the jury of the Grzegorz Fitelberg International Competition for Conductors.

Media

Recordings, performances and archive materials

Concert "Adagio"

A 1992 archive program featuring Victoria Zhadko as guitarist in the Suspilne media archive.

Open recording

Women in Music

Concert at the State Opera Prague, April 16, 2023; Victoria Zhadko is listed as conductor in the creative team.

Operabase

Ukrainian Radio

Public sources mention archival recordings by Victoria Zhadko on Ukrainian radio and television.

Sources

Contact

Concerts, master classes, collaboration

Requests for concerts, master classes, jury work, interviews and professional collaboration can be sent by phone, email, WhatsApp or via the official Facebook and YouTube pages.

Guest conducting Master classes Jury work Media requests