Decca Classics has signed Russian soprano Julia Lezhneva to an exclusive solo recording contract. Her first recital album for the label will be recorded in October 2012, due for international release in February 2013. Accompanied by Il Giardino Armonico under director Giovanni Antonini, the disc will be supported by a tour of European capitals in March and April 2013.

Lezhneva previously recorded for Naïve, appearing in Vivaldi’s Ottone in villa with Il Giardino Armonico in 2010, and releasing her first solo recording of Rossini arias with Marc Minkowski and Sinfonia Varsovia in spring 2011. That release reached the number one spot in the French classical charts, and earned the Diapason d’Or de l’Année ‘Jeune talent’ and a Gramophone Editor’s Choice.

Following a celebrated performance at the 2010 Classical Brit Awards at the invitation of Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, she has made appearances at the Salzburg Festival, London Barbican, Konzerthaus Wien, Paris Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, Berlin Staatsoper, Lincoln Center New York, Cleveland's Severance Hall, and La Monnaie, Brussels.

‘Julia Lezhneva is without doubt the most remarkable young singer I have come across in many years,’ said Decca Classics managing director Paul Moseley. ‘Her coloratura is jaw-dropping, her tone bright and crystal clear, but above all it is the sheer joy and charisma she radiates on stage that mark her out as one of classical music’s brightest stars for the future. We are so excited to be helping Julia achieve her destiny.’