The Ukrainian baritone Ivan Ponomarenko graduated from the Odessa Conservatoire in 1974. He was a soloist at the Odessa State Academical Opera and Ballet Theatre from 1971 until 1981 and joined the National Opera of Ukraine in 1981.
He is a laureate of the 5th International Vocal Competition named after Tchaikovsky (1974) and the 6th Vocal Competition named after Glinka (1973).
His repertoire includes Eugene Onegin, Mazeppa, Rigoletto, Yeletsky (The Queen of Spades), Giorgio Germont (La traviata), Amonasro (Aida), Nabucco, Don Giovanni, Scarpia (Tosca) etc.