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Maria KamenskayaRussian opera singer and chamber singer (mezzo-soprano),
Date of Birth: 31.08.1854
Country:  Finland |
Content:
Biography of Maria Kamenskaya
Maria Kamenskaya was a Russian opera and chamber singer (mezzo-soprano). She received the title of "Soloist of His Majesty" in 1901. Kamenskaya received her musical education at the St. Petersburg Conservatory, studying under Nissen-Saloman. In 1874, she made her debut at the Imperial Russian Opera in the role of Vanya in the opera "A Life for the Tsar". For many years, Kamenskaya held the leading position in the Russian opera troupe and performed all the major mezzo-soprano roles. She left the theater in 1887 but returned to the stage in 1891. Her voice, known for its beauty, consistency, and power, was considered one of the best not only in Russia but also in other countries around the world.
Advocate for New Talent
Throughout her career, Kamenskaya was always an advocate for new and talented artists. She was particularly known for her passionate and talented interpretations of the romances and operas of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. In 1901, she received the title of "Soloist of His Majesty" and began performing in concerts starting from 1906. Kamenskaya also performed Russian romances by composers such as César Cui, Anton Rubinstein, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, and Eduard Nápravník. She was the first performer of several romances by Nápravník. Additionally, she appeared in symphonic concerts, performing solo parts in Robert Schumann's "Requiem" (the first performer in Russia, St. Petersburg, December 3, 1883), Ludwig van Beethoven's 9th Symphony, and Giuseppe Verdi's "Requiem".
Influence and Recordings
Several composers dedicated their romances to Kamenskaya, including Pyotr Tchaikovsky's "Song of Minyon" (Op. 25, No. 3, 1875), Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's "It was in early spring," Alexander Glazunov's "All the Silver Sky," and César Cui's "I Touched a Flower" (Op. 49, No. 1). Kamenskaya also had a teaching career and made recordings on gramophone records (9 in total) in St. Petersburg with "Grammophon". She passed away in exile in Finland. She was the first performer of the roles of Joan of Arc ("The Maid of Orleans," prepared under the guidance of Ilya Pranishnikov) and Martha ("Iolanta") in Tchaikovsky's operas, as well as the roles of Spring Beauty ("The Snow Maiden") and Solokha ("Christmas Eve") in Rimsky-Korsakov's operas, and Yegorovna in Napravnik's opera "Dubrovsky".
Kamenskaya's repertoire included 36 roles in 34 operas, including Tisbe ("Angelo"), Fides in "Le prophète," Amneris in "Aida," Vanya in "A Life for the Tsar," the Princess in "Rusalka," Rogneda in the opera of the same name, Love ("Mazepa" by Pyotr Tchaikovsky), Witch ("Hansel and Gretel"), Fricka ("Die Walküre"), Brangäne ("Tristan und Isolde"), Young Shepherd ("Tannhäuser"), Schwertleite ("Die Walküre"), Rogneda ("Rogneda"), Solokha ("The Little Shoes"), Morozova ("The Oprichnik"), Nanny ("Eugene Onegin"), Hanna ("May Night"), Countess ("The Queen of Spades"), Marquis Carderosh, Pamela, Zibely, Maddalena, Emilia, Martha ("Mephistopheles"), and others.
