Vitaly Polonsky graduated from the State Glinka Conservatory in Novosibirsk. He has worked with the conductor Teodor Currentzis since 2003. His work encompasses repertory in various styles and from various eras, including Baroque compositions, Russian choral masterpieces from the 18th to the 20th centuries, operas and contemporary compositions.
He is the principal chorus master of the musicAeterna Choir, an award-winner at the 2018 International Opera Awards. In 2015 the choir appeared at the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence and in 2016 they performed at the Ruhrtriennale. Since 2017 they have participated regularly in the Salzburg Festival.
Vitaly Polonsky was the chorus master for Salzburg productions of Idomeneo, La clemenza di Tito, Don Giovanni and Bluebeard’s Castle / De temporum fine comoedia, and for Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and Mozart’s Mass in C minor. He has worked with directors including Peter Sellars, Robert Wilson and Romeo Castellucci.
He was also responsible for choral preparation and conducting for productions of Le nozze di Figaro (a co-production of the Baden-Baden Festspielhaus and Perm Opera), The Indian Queen (a co-production of the Teatro Real in Madrid, English National Opera and Perm Opera), La traviata (a co-production of the Danish production company Unlimited Performing Arts, the Landestheater Linz, the Grand Théâtre de la Ville de Luxembourg and Perm Opera), the world premiere of Philippe Hersant’s opera Tristia, La bohème (a co-production of the Baden-Baden Festspielhaus and Perm Opera), Lully’s Phaëton (a co-production of the Opéra Royal in Versailles, the ensemble Le Poème Harmonique and Perm Opera) and Honegger’s Jeanne d’Arc au bûcher (a co-production of the Opéra National de Lyon, La Monnaie in Brussels, Theater Basel and Perm Opera).
In addition, he has worked regularly with the ensemble Le Poème Harmonique and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra.