Moscow Opera duet Open Opera project was formed in 2012. Graduates of the Gnesins Russian Academy of Music – Maria Gridneva (soprano) and Vitaly Makarenko (baritone) united in a duet and created a musical organization, the purpose of which was concert activity and propaganda of the best traditions of classical opera art. The motto of the duet – classic is available to everyone!

The duo’s extensive repertoire includes opera arias, duets, romances and songs that allow you to create original and vibrant programs. During the years of study, Maria and Vitaly participated in opera productions: “Eugene Onegin”, “The Queen of Spades” (P. I. Tchaikovsky), “Le Nozze di Figaro” (W.A. Mozart), “Gianni Schicchi”, “La Boheme” ( G. Puccini), “La Traviata” (G. Verdi), “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” (G. Rossini), “Il Trovatore” (G. Verdi). They also adopted skills from the stars of the world opera Margarita Miglau, Galina Kuznetsova, Eva Marton, Tamara Sinyavskaya, Larisa Gergieva. Since 2012, the Open Opera project is the author and participant of the programs: “Favorite Classics”, “Popular American Songs”, “Melodies of a Warm Summer”, “Masterpieces of German Music”, “White Lilac” (romances of S.V. Rachmaninov), “Military songs ”, the project“ Recognition ”(2015, together with the soloists of the Bolshoi Theater). In 2016, the duo Open Opera project participated in a joint project of the international Master Card system and the Mariinsky Theater.

Since 2012, Maria and Vitaly have been annual participants in the opera concerts of the Aptekarsky Garden of Moscow State University. In 2016, Maria Gridneva and Vitaly Makarenko, together with dj Tactics, participated in the creation and performance of musical compositions for the international project “Millennium Race” held at one of the most iconic venues of Russia, the Olimpiysky sports club in Moscow. In 2017, the FIS World Freestyle World Cup was opened with songs about sports performed by the Open Opera project soloists. 2017 – participation in the filming of a documentary historical film about Catherine the Great (Zerbst, Germany). 2017 – the project “Classics to Solar Children” held in Orenburg (RF) and Melide (Switzerland)

In 2018, the opera concert performed by Maria Gridneva and Vitaly Makarenko became the official gift of the Russian Federation to the 800th Anniversary of the Hanseatic and the University City of Rostock, Germany. Over the years, the duo Open Opera project has been with concerts in the cities of Russia – Moscow, St. Petersburg, Vladikavkaz, Tolyatti, Orenburg, Kirov, Vologda, Saransk, Kostroma and also in the cities – Vaduz (Liechtenstein), Zurich, Lugano, Basel (Switzerland ), Berlin, Munich, Rostock (Germany), Palermo (Sicily), Vienna (Austria), London (England), Nice, Grasse (France).

Since 2018, Maria Gridneva and Vitaly Makarenko are participants of the international project “Hommage an die Blumen” of the Russian-Swiss artist Alex Doll. A unique project involving the perfume house M .Micallef, (France), the museum and exhibition complex “Swissminiatur” (Switzerland), the soloist of the ballet Staatballett Berlin Alexander Abdukarimov (Germany), the jewelry company “j story” (Russia).

In 2019, the duo took part in events: Hanse sail Historical Regatta (Rostock, Germany), 210 years of the consular service of Russia (Berlin, Germany), Art Fair Wopart (Lugano, Switzerland), Festival «Christmas Mystery» (Melide, Switzerland, Ibrahim Codra Foundation).

And also in the celebration of the 220th anniversary of the alpine trek A.V. Suvorov (Andermatt, Switzerland).​ In the framework of Alex Doll’s exhibition «Suvorov. Alpine Campaign» the world premiere was performed by «A. Suvorov» (for wind instruments, soprano and baritone) by A. Sokolov, M. Gridneva. Maria and Vitaly were awarded the 215th anniversary of the Alpine Trekking campaign of the Russian army under the command of A. V. Suvorov.

In 2019 Vitaly Makarenko and Maria Gridneva recorded together with the National Museum of Liechtenstein a CD dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the Principality.