Mariana Gonich Russian-Cuban singer (soprano) Date of Birth: 05.02.1900 Country: Cuba

Marjana Gonich: A Russian-Cuban Soprano

Marjana Gonich was a Russian-Cuban soprano and music educator. She began her vocal training in St. Petersburg under the guidance of Medea Figner. In 1922, she left Russia and made her debut in Paris in 1923, performing the role of Donna Anna in Mozart's "Don Giovanni."

While in Berlin, Gonich sang alongside Fyodor Chaliapin in the role of Marguerite in Gounod's "Faust" and later wrote a memoir about him. In 1934, she married Cuban composer Pedro Guida and moved to Spain with him. After the victory of the Francoists, they relocated to Cuba.

In 1940, Gonich made her debut in Cuba, performing in Mascagni's opera "Cavalleria Rusticana," and subsequently lived there, dedicating much of her time to teaching. To honor her memory, an annual vocal competition is held in Cuba in her name.