Fyodor Komissarzhevsky Russian theater director Date of Birth: 23.05.1882 Country: USA

1. Russian Theatre Director
2. Early Career
3. Theatre Studio and Success
4. Directorship at the Bolshoi Theatre
5. Contributions and Legacy
6. Later Years and Death

Russian Theatre Director

Fyodor Komissarzhevsky was an outstanding Russian theatre director, best known for his productions of Chekhov and Shakespeare plays. He was born in Venice, Italy, into a family with a long-standing connection to the theatre. His father, Fyodor Petrovich Komissarzhevsky, was an elite opera singer and a close friend of Tchaikovsky, while his sister, Vera Komissarzhevskaya, was one of the most renowned actresses of her time.

Early Career

Initially, Fyodor was drawn to architecture, but in 1907, he became interested in the stage and started performing in his sister's theatre. Two years later, together with the revolutionary stage director Nikolay Yevreinov, Komissarzhevsky formed a new theatre company that combined the romanticism of the era with innovative philosophical concepts. He always dreamed of creating a "theatre of all arts," where forms, colors, and music could give actors' performances new depth, change the meaning of spoken words, and transform the entire production.

Theatre Studio and Success

In 1910, Fyodor Komissarzhevsky established his own theatre studio in Moscow to put his theories into practice. His productions of "Faust" and "The Idiot" were warmly received. Under Komissarzhevsky's guidance, young performers learned to sing and dance, and he aimed to create a new breed of "universal actors." Notably, some of his proteges, such as Igor Ilyinsky and Mikhail Zharkov, went on to have impressive careers, particularly during the Soviet era.

Directorship at the Bolshoi Theatre

After the 1917 revolution, Komissarzhevsky became the director of the Bolshoi Theatre, where he successfully staged several opera productions. However, following Lenin's famous statement about theatres and graves, Fyodor Fyodorovich emigrated to Berlin. In June 1921, his program "Opera Intime" premiered at the Aeolian Hall in London, conducted by Adrian Boult, with Vladimir Rosing in the tenor role. Over the next decade, Komissarzhevsky gained a solid reputation, primarily for his productions of Anton Chekhov's plays.

Contributions and Legacy

In 1932, Komissarzhevsky's work "The Costume of the Theatre" was published, becoming a highly celebrated and reprinted piece. He actively lectured at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, with future luminaries such as John Gielgud and Charles Laughton among his students. Komissarzhevsky's productions became a gateway to success for many popular actors, including Donald Wolfit, Christopher Plummer, and Peggy Ashcroft. His unconventional versions of Shakespeare's plays caused quite a scandal in conservative Britain, as his interpretation differed significantly from what the average English audience was accustomed to. For instance, his legendary production of "Macbeth" featured aluminum sets, artificial lightning, and extravagant costumes.

Later Years and Death

During World War II, the director relocated to the United States. He settled in Darien, Connecticut, where he passed away on April 17, 1954. Fyodor Fyodorovich was married twice, with his first marriage to Peggy Ashcroft ending in divorce. His second marriage to dancer Ernestine Stodelle lasted until his death.