Boris Gmyria Ukrainian opera singer, bass Date of Birth: 05.08.1903 Country: Ukraine

Biography of Boris Hmyria

Boris Hmyria was a famous Ukrainian opera singer, a bass. He was born in a small village in Sumy region, in a poor family where they had to share every piece of bread. Boris always loved to sing, inheriting his talent from his mother, and had a deep, chest voice.

When he was 32 years old, Boris applied to the Kharkiv Conservatory, even though he had no knowledge of music notation. Within a year of studying, he became the top student and three years later, he became a world-renowned celebrity.

His performances as Boris Godunov and Taras Bulba in "Boris Godunov" and "Taras Bulba" entered the treasury of world culture. He was invited to work at Covent Garden and the Metropolitan Opera, awaited at the Bolshoi Theatre and the Mariinsky Theatre. However, he always returned to Ukraine, where he felt he sang and lived best. It was here that his songs and his love existed.

Boris Hmyria's first wife introduced him to Vera Avgustovna, who would become his second wife. At the time, Boris was 47 years old, and Vera was 36. Their love, which lasted for nineteen years, became a legend. A week before Boris Hmyria's death, he learned a romance with the fatal title "The Last Ray Faded", but he never got the chance to sing it. Vera Avgustovna survived her husband for 27 years. As she lay on the same bed as her famous spouse, she softly called out, "Borisonka, Borisonka..."

Vera Avgustovna was not beautiful, but her gaze was captivating. She had a special, magnetic attractiveness. Despite her initial shock, she eventually accepted Boris Hmyria's proposal and they got married. They lived modestly in an apartment on Pushkinska Street, without any luxury. Boris and Vera loved to spend time together in the parks along the Dnipro River and looked forward to the arrival of spring to retreat to their small cottage in Kozinka. Boris Hmyria's love for Vera Avgustovna was evident in every aspect of their life together.

They rarely had guests, only on birthdays. Boris Hmyria almost never drank, and he had quit smoking at a young age. He spent ten hours a day at the piano, believing that talent accounted for only 10% of success, while the rest was hard work.

Boris Hmyria passed away at the age of 66, just four days before his birthday. He had a massive heart attack and died suddenly. The last song he had learned, "The Last Ray Faded", remained open on the piano. Everything remained as it was when Boris was alive.

Vera Avgustovna lived for another 27 years, still feeling the presence of her beloved Boris. They were buried side by side.

Unfortunately, no museum was opened in Boris Hmyria's apartment, and the book of memoirs about the outstanding singer was never published. His recordings were not released, and there is not a single monument to him in Ukraine. However, the Boris Hmyria Foundation decided to fundraise for a monument to the renowned singer, opening a special bank account for donations.