Volkov Fedor Grigorievich: short biography

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

Fyodor Grigoryevich Volkov (1729–1763) is a universal figure of culture: the creator of the Russian theater, actor, writer. He lived only 34 years, but his talents were multifaceted. His energy, mind, personal abilities went to the organization of the Russian scene in the provinces, and then in the capital. He was portrayed by one of the best painters of that time, A. Losenko. The artist succeeded in portrait resemblance.

Volkov Fyodor Grigoryevich, whose photograph of the portrait is presented here, calmly and clearly looks at the viewer. The spiritual riches of this outstanding person are revealed: dignity, lively intellect, activity.

Early growing up

Five sons were born in the family of the Kostroma merchant Grigory Volkov and his wife Matryona Yakovlevna. The eldest was named Fedor. He was only 7 years old when his father died, and his mother remarried an energetic, enterprising and middle-aged Yaroslavl merchant F. V. Polushkin. He founded factories and was looking for partners. And he made all his stepsons helpers. At this time, Fedor was 14 years old. To manage the factories, Fedor did not have enough received in Yaroslavleducation, and his stepfather sent him to Moscow. So, in the merchant writings, Fedor Grigoryevich Volkov, whose biography seemed to be very definite, came to study in the ancient capital.

In Moscow

Volkov studied at the Zaikonospassky Academy for only three years, discovering his natural abilities and talents. During this time, he only learned the basics of basic subjects, and besides, he seriously studied music: he played the harp and the violin, sang from the notes.

Return Home

Having returned to Yaroslavl, Fedor Grigoryevich Volkov continues his studies with the pastor, who accompanied E. I. Biron in exile, and masters the German language perfectly. At the same time, he himself learns to draw and draw, which later will be very useful to him. But his stepfather, having kept Fedor at home for a couple of years, sends him to St. Petersburg to learn modern methods of commerce.

Introduction to the theater

Having entered a German trading company and seriously engaged in business, Volkov Fedor Grigorievich accidentally gets to the performance of the Italian opera. It was a magnificent spectacle with magnificent scenery, which was often replaced by machines. Then Fedor Grigorievich went to the theater more than once and carefully sketched everything. But the acting was weak. Then, in order to comprehend it, he comes to a private German theater, which came to St. Petersburg. There he watches dramas and comedies and gets acquainted with the leading actors, quickly delving into the theatrical game. About two years pass like this.

Return to Yaroslavl

When his stepfather passed away,Volkov Fedor Grigorievich headed the work of factories and trade. He had to conduct litigation and cases on which he visited St. Petersburg. There he attended the performance of the gentry corps. They gave Sumarokov's drama in Russian. And he had the idea to start a theater in Yaroslavl. Together with his brothers and friends at home, he begins rehearsals, looking for a place where he can give a performance. For starters, it's just his stepfather's stone barn. But the performance was successful, and Volkov began to collect money by subscription for the construction of the theater. They go towards him. And already next year he builds a wooden building of the first public theater. Volkov turns out to be one in many faces. He is a director, and director, and painter, and actor. Everything manages to embrace this original talent of a young 22-year-old boy, who was Fedor Grigorievich Volkov. The theater has been successfully operating for more than a year. But an inspector is sent to the provinces from St. Petersburg, who, in order to brighten up the time, attends theater performances. It is he who reports to the Empress about the glorious institution that exists in Yaroslavl. Empress Elizaveta Petrovna calls Volkov together with the troupe to Petersburg.

At a new location

Elizaveta Petrovna loved masquerades, and she liked the new idea. Before, one might say, she passionately loved opera and ballet, but there was no permanent Russian troupe in the capital, and since the theater has been operating in Yaroslavl for more than a year, then you need to get to know it. And a month later, 12 people arrived in Northern Palmyra in winter. At the end of March 1752, in front of the Empress and her entourage, Volkov with his actorsgave a presentation. Elizaveta Petrovna ordered that the actors be taught drawing, languages, dances, and music in the privileged gentry corps. And they study just fine. After two years, everyone decides that they are already sufficiently prepared. In 1756, the Empress issued a decree on the creation of the Russian Theater.

Public theater

The theater was very poorly supported financially by the authorities. Everything depended on the enthusiasm of director A. Sumarokov and actor F. Volkov. In addition, and this was very important for that time, women were introduced into the squad. Previously, all female roles were played by young men. The Russian Theater did not have its own building and wandered from one room to another, and the salary of the director and actors was not paid for months.

Only true lovers of dramatic art can endure such a situation. In addition, only nobles were allowed to their performances, who preferred Italian operas and French ballets and looked with contempt at Russian actors. The audience went to the performances not of their own accord, but under the compulsion of the empress. There was no order in the auditorium. Therefore, he was guarded by police squads. In such conditions, the Russian Theater began to work.

Fate and Masquerade

In 1761, F. Volkov became the director. He remained as an actor, wrote plays for his offspring, refused high court ranks and orders and did only what his soul was drawn to. In 1762, after the ascension to the throne of Catherine II, he had the rightenter it without a report. It was Volkov who was entrusted in honor of the coronation of the empress in Moscow to arrange a large multi-day masquerade of unprecedented splendor. Volkov set about organizing it with great enthusiasm. Work on the street, for the people - the highest dream of the creator.

This street performance lasted for three days, people poured into the streets and took places on the roofs. It was magnificent, rich and instructive. And Volkov spent all three winter days outside, in the wind, looking everywhere and doing everything. However, after the end of the masquerade, he felt tired and unwell, and then fell ill and did not get up. On April 4, 1763, Fyodor Grigoryevich Volkov ended his earthly journey. A brief biography of the brilliant man who created the Russian theater is discussed in this article.