Irina Maslennikova - the great opera diva

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

Talent, charisma and a kind of magnetism - these are the qualities that were especially noted by colleagues of the great Russian opera performer Irina Maslennikova. Her brilliant career, personal life and other interesting elements of her biography will be discussed in this article.

Biography of the singer

Irina Ivanovna Maslennikova was born in the capital of Ukraine, Kyiv, in 1918. Since childhood, having the ability to music, at the age of twenty, the girl entered the conservatory in the class of Palyaeva. It was in 1938 that the artist's career began, as teachers, noting the talent of the young singer, repeatedly invited her to participate in productions of the Kyiv Opera. Thus, at the beginning of Maslennikova's track record, the following performances appear: "The Wedding of Figaro" and "Fra Diavolo".

Three years later, in 1941, Irina Maslennikova was enrolled in the Ukrainian Opera and Ballet Theater as a trainee. And so, at the very beginning of her professional career, the singer, along with the entire troupe, was evacuated to Ufa in connection with the outbreak of the Great Patriotic War.

Over the next two years, the artist has been working inIrkutsk, and in 1943 moved to Moscow, where he began performing as part of the Bolshoi Theater troupe. Literally from the first days, the singer has been trusted by the leading roles in the most famous opera productions. Until 1960, she was one of the leading soloists of the theater, an opera prima.

Until the end of her life, the artist was engaged in teaching at the best schools in the country. The opera diva died in 2013 in the city in which she lived for more than half a century - Moscow. She was 94 years old.

Private life

Irina Maslennikova was legally married to Sergei Lemeshev, a talented opera singer. The first handsome man of the theater, a real artist, a talented soloist with a beautiful voice - all women liked him without exception.

Irina Maslennikova was exactly his type: a beautiful, young, slender, well-educated talented girl could not help but attract his attention.

They met at the moment when Sergei was already married to Lyubov Varzer, who also performed at the Bolshoi Theater. Lemeshev was never deprived of female attention, and he himself often stared at young soloists. So, while his wife went on tour, Sergei began an affair with Irina Maslennikova.

The singer became the artist's only wife who gave him a daughter. The girl was named Mary. Now she, like her parents once, performs in the theater.

Off-stage activity

In addition to active creative work, Irina Maslennikova, who at that time was a recognized opera diva not only of the Soviet, but also of the worldscale, taught in various educational institutions. For 18 years, from 1956 to 1974, she taught vocals at GITIS. Since 1974, the singer has taught at the Moscow State Conservatory, already having the title of professor, which Irina Ivanovna received in 1972. Since 2002, the people's artist has been studying with young talents at the Opera Singing Center. Galina Vishnevskaya.

Thus, during her long life, Irina Ivanovna not only performed leading roles in the most famous operas in the world, but also made a huge contribution to the classical vocal education of young artists.

Performed works

As mentioned above, the opera singer began her professional career in 1943. During this period, she performed the main roles in the productions of Rigoletto, The Barber of Siberia and The Snow Maiden.

Further, for 15 years, the artist sang in La Traviata, Great Friendship, Romeo and Juliet, Ivan Susanin, Ruslan and Lyudmila, Morozko, Don Juan, Lakme”, “Pebble”, “Sorochinsky Fair”, “Carmen”, “Fidelio”, “Nikita Vershinin”, “La Boheme”, “The Tsar's Bride” and many other classical works of opera art that brought her world fame and allowed her to tour the near and far abroad, to perform in the best theaters.

Ranks and awards

The opera singer received her first award in 1947, almost at the beginning of her career. It was the 1st prize at the World Festival of Students and Youth, held in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic.

The next award in the form of an honorary title came to the performer in 1951. She received the title of "Honored Artist of the RSFSR" for her contribution to the development of Russian opera art.

Even more honorary title, namely "People's Artist of the RSFSR", I. Maslennikova was awarded in 1957. Recall that this title is awarded for special merits in the field of musical, theatrical, variety, circus and cinematographic art. In the days of the Soviet Union, however, as now, this title was included in the award system of the state.

Further in 1972, in connection with active teaching, Maslennikova received the title of professor.

Then, in 1976, the artist was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labor, and in 2002 - the Order of Friendship for popularizing Russian culture and contributing to the establishment of friendly relations with other countries.