Was born in Leningrad. In 1972 graduated Moscow polygraphic institute (profession “mechanical engineer of polygraphic machines”. In 1983 he graduated second higher education in Leningrad institute of theatre, music and cinema (profession “specialist in drama study-organizer of theatre business”). In 2002 graduated academic degree of candidate of economic sciences.

According to his second profession he began to work as deputy of principal of Leningrad theatre of Musical comedy, where he was working from 1979 till 1984. Then he was remitted on the appointment of principal of Palace art workers named after K.S. Stanislavsky. From 1986 he was appointed as principal of Leningrad drama theatre named after V.F. Komissarzhevskaya, and from 1995 he worked in the capacity of executive manager of Mariinsky theatre. Then from 2000 year, for almost five years, he was principal of Philharmonic named after D.D. Shostakovich.

From May of 2005 he works as general manager of Saint-Petersburg theatre of Musical comedy. 

At the same time, from 2005 till 2014 he worked as the first deputy of artistic leader-principal of Mariinsky theatre.

In 2002 Yury A. Schwarzkopf was rewarded with Order “For contribution in the field of culture”, in 2003 – with Order “Of nations’ friendship”, he is Cavalier of Order “For contribution to Republic of Poland” (2003).

In 2007 Yury A. Schwarzkopf was given the honorary rank of “Honoured worker of arts of Russia”.

In 2008 Yury A. Schwarzkopf was given government award of Hungary "Order of Hungarian Republic". 

As a producer of the musical "Dance of Vampires"  was awarded the Prize of the Government of St. Petersburg in the field of literature, art and architecture for the year 2011 "For achievements in the field of music and performing arts."

In 2014 he was awarded the Andrey Tolubeev Award "For the implementation of a series of large-scale projects in genre of musical".

In 2016, among the creative team of performance "Bely.Petersburg" was awarded the Prize of the Government of St. Petersburg in the field of culture and art for 2015 "for achievements in the field of music and performing arts."