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Miliza KorjusSinger (coloratura soprano) and actress
Date of Birth: 18.08.1909
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Biography of Militsa Korjus
- Career in Ukraine and Estonia
- Marriage and Film Career
- Return to Opera and Later Life
- Legacy
Biography of Militsa Korjus
Early Life and EducationMilitsa Korjus was born in Warsaw into the family of Arthur Korjus, an officer in the cadet corps from Estonia, and Anna Gintovt, a noblewoman and descendant of the ancient Lithuanian Gintovt-Dzevaltovski family. During World War I, her family moved to Moscow, where Militsa, also known as Mila, attended the Elizavetinskaya Gymnasium. After her parents' divorce in 1918, she moved with her mother and sisters to Kiev, where she studied at a music school and sang in a church choir.
Career in Ukraine and Estonia
In 1927, Militsa became a soloist in the Ukrainian choir "Dumka" and toured extensively throughout the Soviet Union. In 1928, she moved to Estonia to live with her father, who held a high position in the Estonian army. There, she received vocal training from talented Russian musicians and teachers, V.A. Malama and S.I. Mamontov, who had emigrated from Soviet Russia. Although she performed on the stages of Tartu and Tallinn, the Estonian musical elite unfortunately failed to recognize the talent of this budding singer.
Marriage and Film Career
Militsa Korjus married German engineer Baron Guno Folsha and settled with him in Germany, where they had a daughter and two sons. She made her successful debut as an actress at the Magdeburg Opera, and later at the Berlin Opera, where she earned the nickname "Berlin Nightingale." It was there that she caught the attention of producer Irving Thalberg, who invited her to Hollywood. Militsa Korjus made her film debut in the iconic movie "The Great Waltz," in which she played the role of prima donna Carla Donner. The film was released in 1938 and achieved resounding worldwide success. Although she appeared in several other films, including "The Prague Student," "Knight of the Empire," and "Venus in Silk," her career in Hollywood reached its peak with the portrayal of Carla Donner.
Return to Opera and Later Life
After her stint in the film industry, Militsa Korjus returned to opera and became a leading soloist at the Metropolitan Opera for many years. She also embarked on numerous concert tours. In 1940, during a trip to Mexico, she was involved in an accident that resulted in a broken leg, narrowly avoiding amputation. This forced her to retire from the stage earlier than expected. She dedicated herself to raising her daughter and occasionally gave solo concerts in the United States and Canada. Militsa Korjus passed away at the age of 71 in the outskirts of Los Angeles.
Legacy
Militsa Korjus' daughter, Melissa Folsha Wells, served as the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1993 to 1994 and was the U.S. Ambassador to Estonia from 1998 to 2001, as well as an ambassador to Zaire and other countries. Militsa's mother and sister perished during the blockade of Leningrad.
