Russian opera singers. List of opera performers

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Russia has always been famous for its most talented opera singers. Their lives did not always turn out in the best way, but they stubbornly continued to move forward. The brightest names of the opera scene will forever remain in the hearts of admirers of beauty. Therefore, it is worth learning a little more about the life and development of the legendary idols.

Dmitry Aleksandrovich Hvorostovsky

This legendary opera singer is the holder of the title of Honored Singer of the RSFSR. In addition, he became a People's Artist of the Russian Federation. Dmitry fell in love with music at a very early age, inspired by his father's activities. His father was a chemical engineer by profession, but he was very fond of opera music, so there was always a crazy amount of records with recordings of famous voices in the house.

Therefore, from childhood, Dmitry Alexandrovich Hvorostovsky enjoyed the creations of Chaliapin and other famous singers. In addition, he adored Caruso, Arkhipova and many other legendary performers of that time.

Hvorostovsky's singing talent began to manifest itself from an early age, when he first began to perform the most complex arias and romances. After that, no one had any doubts about what kind of fate was destined for the talented boy. ATIn 1985 he became a soloist with the Krasnodar Opera and Ballet Theatre. He worked there until 1990.

In the interval between performances in the theater, one of the most famous Russian opera singers managed to become a laureate of the Glinka Competition. At the same time, in 1988, he became the winner of the competition among the brightest representatives of the opera in France. During this period of time, he also managed to light up on the BBC television competition, becoming the winner in the nomination "Singer of the World".

Askar Abdrazakov

Speaking of Russian opera singers, one cannot fail to mention a man who was born in 1969. Askar Abdrazakov started the same way as Hvorostovsky. His talent was evident from an early age. Already in 1991 he became the principal soloist of the Opera and Ballet Theater in Ufa.

Besides, Askar participated in various productions of the conservatories of his city. Among other things, Abdrazakov became a participant in the Irina Arkhipova festival, where he made the most indelible impression on the audience.

During his career, he visited a huge number of foreign countries. By and large, one of the great Russian opera singers has traveled all over the world. However, he reached the Bolshoi Theater of Russia only in 1995, when he made his first stage debut. His biggest breakthrough is considered to be participation in the production of "Eugene Onegin" in 1996 in the city of Trieste (Italy). Just like many other famous opera singers, Askar took part in various singing competitions and received a huge number of high titles and titles.

VladimirAndreevich Atlantov

Speaking of Russian opera performers, it is worth mentioning this legendary personality, who was born in 1939 in Leningrad. Unlike many of his other colleagues, he was born into a family of professional singers. His mother worked at the Kirov Theater, where she played the most important roles. Therefore, it is not surprising that Vladimir spent almost his entire youth in the very place where he was able to know all the charm and beauty of music and singing. By and large, he began to devote himself to this direction at the age of 6, when he entered the choir school.

Initially, one of the most famous Russian opera singers studied piano, violin and cello. Thanks to this, already in 1862 he received the Glinka silver medal.

It is not surprising that the Kirov Theater, where his mother worked, became interested in the young talent. Since then, he began to work there and really completely imbued with the spirit of creative activity. A year after his appearance in the troupe, he moved from the category of minor singers to leaders.

Vladimir received his first gold medal in 1996. And in 1967 he took part in a competition in Sofia, where he won the main prize. His amazing voice was appreciated in all countries where he performed.

Georgy Andreevich Baklanov

This famous Russian opera singer was born in 1881. In his youth, he went to study at the State Conservatory, located in Kyiv. It was there that he made his first debut.which passed in 1904.

From that moment, for the next 5 years, he was the main soloist of the Bolshoi Theater. However, in 1909, George decides to leave his homeland and start touring Russian cities. In addition, he began to travel frequently to Western Europe and the United States. In 1915, Baklanov decided to move abroad altogether.

His most successful performances were in 1911, when he gave a concert in Berlin, singing the aria "Scarpia and Rigoletto". He also performed the part of "Eugene Onegin", which he sang with brilliance in Paris. By and large, this legendary opera singer has traveled all over the world, participating in the most grandiose productions. His mesmerizing voice appealed to European listeners.

Alexander Filippovich Vedernikov

This singer was born in 1927. In 1995 he successfully graduated from the Moscow Conservatory. A year later, he was first nominated for a vocal competition in Berlin, which he successfully won. Beginning in 1955, for 3 years Alexander Filippovich Vedernikov was the principal soloist of the Mariinsky Theatre. The performer reached the Bolshoi Theater in 1957. A year later he became its soloist. A little later, he successfully completed an internship in Italy. Alexander Vedernikov received a huge number of awards both in the Soviet Union and abroad. Throughout his career, he visited a huge number of countries and received only the best reviews. Most critics noted that this opera singer has a unique voiceand the opportunity to get used to the role so enthusiastically that the viewer literally gets goosebumps.

Evgeny Evgenyevich Nesterenko

This opera singer was born in 1938. For all his time, Evgeny Nesterenko received a huge number of awards both in the Soviet Union and in other countries. Initially, the legendary personality studied at the Leningrad Civil Engineering Institute, but in 1965 he decides to retrain, and goes to the Leningrad State Conservatory. Rimsky-Korsakov.

A little later Evgeny Nesterenko became a soloist of the Maly Opera Theatre. After that, he decided to engage in teaching activities. If we talk about the main achievements of this opera singer, it is worth noting that he performed more than 50 leading parts. He performed operas in the original language.

Also in 1967, Eugene participated in the competition of young opera singers, which was held in the city of Sofia (Bulgaria). There he received a silver medal. In 1970, Nesterenko received a gold medal, having successfully won the Tchaikovsky Competition, which was held on the territory of the USSR.

Nesterenko truly was the owner of a gorgeous voice, which was appreciated by his colleagues and critics.

Evgeny Gavrilovich Kibkalo

This opera singer distinguished himself with his excellent baritone voice and his experience in teaching. Evgeny Kibkalo was also awarded the title of People's Artist of the RSFSR. The brilliant opera singer started his career in Ukraine. However, already in 1956 he movedto the Bolshoi Theater, where he became a soloist. Initially, everyone thought that he would only make a singer with a good bass. However, his voice could pick up low frequencies just fine.

Thanks to his versatile talents, in 1963 he went to Milan for an internship. The teachers of the Milan theater noted his soft, even and beautiful voice, which is distinguished by its amazing frequency and uniformity. They noted that Yevgeny Gavrilovich can perfectly switch to falsetto.

After that, Yevgeny Kibkalo played the part of "Eugene Onegin" in the film-opera Tikhomirov. He immediately singled out the singer in front of all the other baritones who applied for this role. Later, the director never regretted his decision.

It's worth noting that Evgeny was finishing his role right in the process of filming, as he had very little time. However, this did not prevent him from performing his part with grandiose success. It is worth noting that the opera singer has always been distinguished by excellent singing talent and learning speed. Many experts recognized his voice as a reference among baritones. However, with all this, he could also give sonority to his singing, thanks to which he really became a unique performer.

Ivan Kozlovsky

This opera singer was born in 1900 in the Kyiv province. His father played the Viennese harmonica and sang excellently. Thanks to this, from childhood, Kozlovsky Ivan Semenovich awakened a strong craving for music and singing. His father immediately drew attention to the fact that the boy has excellent hearing, and his voice canenvy of many professional opera singers. Therefore, it is not surprising that when Ivan grew up, he went to sing in the choir of the Trinity People's House, which was located in Kyiv. However, having conquered everyone with his talent, after a while Kozlovsky Ivan Semenovich became the soloist of the Bolshoi Academic Choir. At that time it was led by Kosice. He became the mentor of the young talent. Thanks to his lessons and recommendations, Kozlovsky was able to enter the Kyiv Music and Drama Institute, from which he graduated with honors in 1920. However, after that, his plans changed a bit, since Ivan decided to volunteer for the Red Army. He was assigned to a rifle brigade of engineering troops, after which Kozlovsky was forced to go to Poltava. However, he was allowed to combine service and concert work. A little later, in 1924, Ivan entered the Kharkov Opera House.

The voice of this talented opera singer amazed even the most tireless critics, who always found a reason for low ratings. However, Kozlovsky always received the highest scores and recognition from his colleagues.

Ivan Ershov

This famous opera singer was born in 1867 on a farm in the Rostov region. When it turned out that he had a huge talent for music and singing, Ivan Vasilyevich Ershov entered the St. Petersburg Conservatory. In 1893, he successfully graduated from it and went to improve in Italy. Later in 1894 he became a soloist at the Kharkov Opera Theatre. Later, the talented singer moved to the Mariinsky Theatre.

ZurabLavrentievich Sotkilava

This talented singer was born in 1937 in the city of Sukhum. Like many others, he was born into a family where few people were involved in music. His father was a doctor and his mother worked as a historian.

Future opera singer Zurab Lavrentievich Sotkilava was fond of football at first. His passion for vocals began to manifest itself only in adolescence, when he first met a professor at the Tbilisi Conservatory. After that, Zurab began to sing in between sports training.

In 1959, Sotkilava was seriously injured and was forced to give up football. It was then that he began to devote all his free time to singing.

A year later he entered the conservatory and successfully graduated. Since 1974, the singer began working at the Bolshoi Theater. His voice amazed many with its versatility. Thanks to this, a talented young man who dreamed of becoming a famous football player turned into a legendary performer of the most difficult opera arias.

Alexander Iosifovich Baturin

Another legendary opera singer worth mentioning was born in 1904 in the Vilna province. His father worked as an ordinary rural teacher. He died a year after the birth of his son. After that, Alexander Baturin was forced to roam to the homes of relatives. However, at this time, his interest in music began to manifest itself. Despite a difficult childhood, in 1920 he entered the Odessa vocational school, where he trained as a driver. Later he receivedspeci alty mechanic.

In his free time, Alexander Baturin performed in an amateur circle, where everyone immediately noticed his extraordinary voice. Thanks to the efforts of his colleagues, in 1921, at a meeting of the Union of Transport Workers, it was decided to send a talented talent to study at the Petrograd Conservatory.

In 1927, Alexander was first called to the director of the Bolshoi Theater, after which he was successfully enrolled in the troupe. Until that time, Baturin performed only in provincial small towns. However, this did not prevent him from receiving the highest marks from the most aggressive foreign critics. A little later, journalists even wrote that Baturin was a new star who had replaced Chaliapin himself, who had left Russia. Thus, Alexander became famous not only on the territory of his homeland, but also far beyond its borders. The beautiful voice of the former footballer excited viewers around the world.