Evgeniy Kibkalo Russian opera singer (baritone) and music teacher. Date of Birth: 12.02.1932 Country: Ukraine

1. Biography of Evgeny Kibkalo
2. Early Life and Career
3. Stint at La Scala
4. Acclaimed Career
5. Estrada Career and Filmography
6. Later Years and Health Issues

Biography of Evgeny Kibkalo

Evgeny Kibkalo was a Russian opera singer (baritone) and music educator. He was born in 1932.

Early Life and Career

Kibkalo began his vocal training as a bass, as his voice allowed him to comfortably reach the lower, purely bass notes in the contra-octave. He studied at the Moscow Conservatory under the guidance of Vladimir Politkovsky and graduated in 1956. In the same year, he became a soloist at the Bolshoi Theatre.

Stint at La Scala

In 1963, Kibkalo went to Milan to intern at the prestigious La Scala theatre. This experience allowed him to further refine his skills and broaden his repertoire.

Acclaimed Career

Evgeny Kibkalo's voice was known for its unique beauty, richness, and noble timbre, as well as its elegant sound production and cantilena. His vocal talent and training were exceptional, and his voice can be considered a benchmark for baritone sound, with a perfectly balanced timbre and smooth vocal registers. His soft and ringing voice, along with his effortless high notes and delicate falsetto, allowed him to excel in lyrical roles such as Onegin, Mizgir, Petrushka, and Figaro. At the same time, his powerful voice, rich timbre, and dramatic stage presence made him perfect for dramatic roles like Gryaznoy, Shaklovit, Bolkonsky, and Merezyev.

Estrada Career and Filmography

In addition to his operatic achievements, Kibkalo was also well-known and popular as an estrada (variety) singer. His repertoire included heroic, patriotic, romantic, and lyrical songs, such as "Song of Troubled Youth," "Komsomolytsy," "Romance of Lapin," "Silhouette," "Aviamarsh," "Waltz about the Waltz," and "Farewell, Rocky Mountains," among others. He also participated in the filming of the musical film "Goluboy Ogonok" in the early 1960s. Kibkalo provided the vocal for the opera films "Eugene Onegin" (1958, in the lead role of Vadim Medvedev) and "The Queen of Spades" (1960, as Yeletsky, played by Valentin Kulik), directed by Roman Tikhomirov.

Later Years and Health Issues

Kibkalo faced challenges when attempting to perform difficult roles in Soviet operas such as Prokofiev's "War and Peace," Khrennikov's "The Fate of a Man," and "A Tale of a Real Man." His vocal apparatus was inadequate for such demands, and the constant strain on his voice led to chronic hemorrhage in his vocal folds, resulting in the development of a vocal nodule. Unfortunately, a poorly executed surgical intervention completely destroyed his vocal apparatus, forcing Kibkalo to retire from the stage in 1976. He then focused on his career as a music educator at the Moscow Conservatory, where he taught until his death.

Evgeny Kibkalo's contributions to the world of opera and his dedication to teaching have left a lasting impact on the Russian music scene. His remarkable voice and musical talent continue to be revered and admired by both colleagues and students alike.