Opera Meets AI: Russian Soprano Performs Duet with Neural Network

An experimental performance in Moscow brings together an AI-generated voice and a live singer to reinterpret 'The Phantom of the Opera.'

In a landmark performance at the Moscow International House of Music, Russian opera singer Vera Kononova sang a duet with artificial intelligence. The pair performed a piece from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 'The Phantom of the Opera,' accompanied by the State Kremlin Orchestra.

According to Kononova, who also created the project, preparing the AI system for the concert proved difficult. The neural network struggled to interpret instructions, and it took extensive training to produce a usable voice model. Even during rehearsals, syncing human timing with the AI-generated voice remained a challenge.

Kononova noted that while AI can already generate original music, much of it feels like a patchwork of previously composed material. Still, she believes future neural networks will be able to self-train and carry on the legacy of composers even after their death.

The performance comes amid a broader trend in Russia’s creative scene. In another milestone, Moscow recently premiered 'Genghis Khan,' a feature-length film created entirely by artificial intelligence. The film received international recognition, winning a special jury award for Best Ultra-Feature AI Film at the Cannes AI Film Awards.