Biography

Elvira Misbakhova is a renowned musician, recognized for her exceptional versatility as a soloist, orchestral musician, and chamber musician. Originally from Tatarstan, Russia, she began studying the violin at the age of seven. After obtaining her master’s degree from the Kazan State Conservatory, she continued her training in Canada in 1999, studying with Eleonora and Yuli Turovsky. She then earned a second master’s degree and a doctorate in musical performance from the University of Montreal in 2005. During her studies, she distinguished herself with numerous excellence scholarships and won the prestigious concerto competition.

Elvira Misbakhova’s musical journey has led her to perform on many stages in Canada and beyond. As a soloist, she has collaborated with orchestras such as the Orchestre Métropolitain, I Musici de Montréal, the Orchestre symphonique de Drummondville, the Orchestre symphonique de Trois-Rivières, the Orchestre de chambre Nouvelle Génération, as well as the State Symphony Orchestra of Tatarstan and the State Chamber Orchestra of Belarus. She has also performed with the prestigious London Symphony Orchestra.

Currently, she is the principal viola of the Orchestre Métropolitain under the direction of Yannick Nézet-Séguin, as well as with the Orchestre de chambre Nouvelle Génération. She joined I Musici de Montréal in 2022, contributing to the orchestra both as a soloist and an orchestral musician.

Recording is an integral part of Elvira Misbakhova’s work. In May 2022, she recorded an album with the London Symphony Orchestra under the Chandos label. In October 2022, she recorded another album with I Musici de Montréal, as a soloist, for the ATMA label. Her 2019 album, also released by Chandos, received widespread acclaim in specialized magazines such as The Strad, Gramophone, and MusicWeb.

In addition to her orchestral engagements, Elvira Misbakhova is deeply dedicated to chamber music. She regularly participates in duo and small ensemble projects, collaborating with renowned artists and adding her unique touch to both contemporary and classical repertoires.

Through her talent, commitment, and musical diversity, Elvira Misbakhova has established herself as one of the brightest figures in the Canadian music scene. Her ability to thrive in such varied repertoires—from chamber music to large symphonic ensembles and recording projects—testifies to her immense talent and unwavering passion for music.

Elvira plays on a viola by Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume (1860-65) and a bow by Louis Basin, generously loaned by Canimex.