UKRAINIAN DICTION RESOURCES
Discover Ukraine’s Hidden Vocal Repertoire Gems
UNDERREPRESENTED HERITAGE
Despite Ukraine’s rich musical lineage, Ukrainian classical works remain largely unknown on the global stage. Major orchestras and opera houses rarely include these compositions in their programming.
HISTORICAL SUPPRESSION
Under Tsarist and later Soviet regimes, Ukrainian cultural expression was systematically oppressed. Many Ukrainian composers were overshadowed, their works labeled as “Russian,” or they were simply never given the chance to reach an international audience.
CULTURAL APPROPRIATION
During centuries of tragic colonial history under different political regimes, Ukraine has suffered not only cultural appropriation but also bans on the use of the Ukrainian language, the destruction of cultural objects, and the persecution and physical elimination of Ukrainian artists, intellectuals and cultural figures.
Even today, several pieces rooted in Ukrainian musical tradition are popularly presented as Russian repertoire, further erasing Ukraine’s artistic identity.
SCARCE PERFORMANCES
Statistics show Ukrainian operas and vocal pieces make up only a fraction of global performances compared to more frequently staged Western or Russian works.
Ukrainian classical music is a treasure trove of lyrical beauty, distinctive cultural heritage and undeniable global significance—yet many of its composers remain underrepresented on the world’s stages.
At UCVP, we are fiercely committed to decolonization of Ukrainian classical vocal repertoire. Together, we believe we can help our homeland reclaim its well-deserved place in musicological research and performance practice.
In this section, we spotlight Ukrainian masters whose works bring fresh perspectives, vibrant soundscapes and poignant pathos to the realm of opera and art song.
From the Baroque refinement of Dmytro Bortniansky, Maksym Berezovsky and Artem Vedel to the national-themed works of the “Father of Ukrainian opera” Mykola Lysenko and the undercover activist Semen Hulak-Artemovsky, to the Romantic fervor of Yakiv Stepovyi, Mykola Arkas, Ostap Nyzhankivsky, Anatol Vakhnianyn, Denys Sichynsky, to the NeoRomantic impressionistic palette of Vasyl Barvinsky: each Ukrainian composer offers a unique bridge between Eastern European musical traditions and the universal language of the human voice.
The legacy of visionaries such as Kyrylo Stetsenko, Mykola Leontovych, Oleksandr Koshyts, Stanyslav Lyudkevych, Anatoly Kos-Anatolsky, Viktor Kosenko reveals how deeply folk melodies, liturgical roots, and poetic texts have shaped Ukraine’s rich repertoire. The 20th century composers Borys Lyatoshynsky, Levko Revutsky, Valentyn Silvestrov, Yuliy Meitus, Myroslav Skoryk offer a rich musical tapestry as they weave contemporary harmonies into a distinctly Ukrainian fabric.
And for a pioneering female perspective, learn about the unsung heroes Stefania Turkewich, Lyudmyla Aleksandrova, Hanna Havrylets, Lesya Dychko, whose compositions broke new ground for women in Ukrainian classical music.
Have you heard any of these names before?
Join us on an exciting adventure of experiencing the vocal masterpieces of Ukraine!
We are thrilled to offer diction tools designed to help professional singers embrace the authentic sound of Ukrainian arias and art songs — from the phonetic transliteration resources to the cultural and dramatic context.
We invite you to explore Ukrainian operatic repertoire, starting with our sample resources for Mavka’s Aria from The Forest Song, a fairy-tale opera by Vitaly Kyreiko, which is now available for a free download in the original Ukrainian.
By delving into these materials, you’ll not only expand your repertoire but also help bring these remarkable voices the recognition they deserve.
Enjoy discovering the music, language, and spirit of each composer—your next signature aria may be waiting in Ukraine’s overlooked pages of history.
Stay tuned—there’s more to come in this section soon!
IPA TRANSCRIPTION OF CYRILLIC TEXT
Mavka’s aria from “The Forest Song” by V.Kyreiko (download the PDF file)
SHEET MUSIC WITH IPA TRANSCRIPTION
Mavka’s aria from “The Forest Song” by V.Kyreiko (download the PDF file)
DRAMATIC SCENE CONTEXT
Mavka’s aria from “The Forest Song” by V.Kyreiko (download the PDF file)
Download Sample Materials
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Download Sample Materials 🎵
This video walks you through the Ukrainian Alphabet in order, alongside the IPA ( International Phonetic Alphabet ) symbols for each letter.
You’ll notice that many consonants can present as both soft (palatalized) and hard (non-palatalized) versions. Mastering these subtle differences is key to sounding like a native speaker!
Some of our favorite Ukrainian letters include Ґ, І, Ї, and Є—watch the video to learn exactly how they are pronounced. Have fun exploring these beautiful sounds of the distinct and melodic Ukrainian language!
