Marysya Sava Performer of Russian folk songs and gypsy romances. Date of Birth: 11.11.1910 Country: USA

Biography of Marusya Sava

Maria Ivanovna Savitskaya, known by her stage name Marusya Sava, was born on October 29, 1910, in Vladivostok, Russia. She was the eldest of four children in her family. Marusya's father, Ivan Kuzmich Savitsky, was an entrepreneur who was often away from home, while her mother, Pelageya Grigorievna Dailidova, managed the household and raised the children.

From a young age, Marusya had a beautiful singing voice and joined the choir of the Uspensky Cathedral in Vladivostok. However, at the age of 15, she ran away from home due to strict upbringing and started working as a nurse. It was during this time that she met and worked for Dr. Peter Valentine Sheboldaev, a renowned gynecologist in the city. They eventually got married, but sadly, Peter passed away before they could move to Paris, where he was invited to lecture at the Paris Medical Academy.

After Peter's death, Marusya found herself alone and struggling to make a living in Shanghai, China. She managed to join the Agreneva-Slaviansky Choir, which was recruiting singers for a trip to America. In December 1928, Marusya and the choir arrived in San Francisco and embarked on a tour across the country. However, due to the low payment and the despotic nature of the choir's director, Marusya left and found a job as a singer in the Russian nightclub "Petrushka" in Chicago.

In 1932, Marusya married Charles Lewis Laughlin, an American accompanist, and they continued their successful career together. They performed in various venues, including the Chicago Civic Opera, and Marusya gained recognition as a talented singer and dancer. In 1934, they moved to New York, where Marusya achieved the greatest success of her career.

Marusya's performances in New York's Russian nightclubs, such as "Casino Rus" and "Russian Fairy Tale," made her a star. She was praised for her crystal-clear voice, extensive vocal range, and impeccable diction. Marusya became known for her rendition of the romance "Black Shawl" and incorporated Soviet songs into her repertoire, making her one of the first performers to do so in America.

Throughout her career, Marusya released several albums and performed at prestigious events, including concerts in honor of President Franklin Roosevelt. She continued to entertain audiences until 1976 when she retired at the insistence of her third husband.

After her retirement, Marusya lived in New York until 1992 when she moved to Mercer Island, near Seattle, to be closer to her son and grandchildren. She lived a modest life in a small apartment until her passing on September 9, 2004.

Marusya Sava left a lasting legacy as a performer of Russian folk songs and Gypsy romances. Her talent and captivating performances brought joy to audiences across America, and her contributions to Russian music in the diaspora will be remembered for generations to come.