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Oleg KharitonovActor
Date of Birth: 25.11.1967
Country:  Russia |
Content:
Biography of Oleg Kharitonov
Oleg Kharitonov was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia. His father, Rem Kharitonov, was a sculptor, jeweler, and medalist, while his mother, Yulia Kharitonova, was an engineer-galvanic. From a young age, Oleg dreamed of becoming an actor and attended the Youth Creativity Theater. Since the age of seven, he has been a soloist in the State Children's Choir of Leningrad Radio and Television. His performances as a young singer were often shown on television. In addition to his passion for the stage, Oleg also devoted a lot of time to jewelry art. As a schoolboy, he created his own silver jewelry in his father's workshop. This hobby remained a favorite and he still creates jewelry today. Rem Kharitonov's works are exhibited in the Hermitage, the Russian Museum, and many other domestic and international art galleries. His name is included in the encyclopedia "Artists of All Times and Peoples" (25 volumes, Germany).
Early Life and Education
From the fourth grade, Oleg Kharitonov became interested in yachting. Sailing trips in the Gulf of Finland and a sports camp in Strelna were the brightest childhood memories for him. After finishing school, Oleg entered the Leningrad State Institute of Theater, Music, and Cinematography (LGITMiK). Thanks to his generous vocal talent, he simultaneously mastered two specialties: "Actor of Drama" and "Actor of Musical Theater". Oleg paid serious attention to vocal technique and voice training. He attended the creative workshop of the famous performer of classical romances, Rubina Kalantaryan. At that time, this legendary singer was as popular in the mainstream as famous artists of her generation - Alla Bayanova, Edita Piekha, and Sergei Zakharov. She instilled in her students a subtle understanding of romance. Under the guidance of this outstanding teacher, Oleg, with his expressive lyrical baritone, prepared a program for his first solo concert. His repertoire still includes classical romances and hits of the 1930s - "Capricious, Stubborn", "Chrysanthemums", "Garden Gate", "Tired Sun", "Tell Me Why".
Acting Career
The dream of all actors - to play the role of Romeo - came true for Oleg Kharitonov in his student years. His master's course leader, Vladimir Ivanovich Podgorodinsky, founded the only rock opera theater in Russia. He invited the promising student to participate in the productions of legendary musicals. In the play "Junona and Avos", Oleg was entrusted with the role of Count Rezanov. After graduating from the institute, Oleg was invited to work at the St. Petersburg State Drama Theater "Prichastie". As part of the troupe, he toured Germany, the Netherlands, and France. Actors of his generation had to experience the "restructuring era" when there was almost no filming in movies and the theater halls were half-empty. For several years, Oleg traveled around Europe. He is grateful to that period of his life for the exceptional opportunity to touch the great European cultural heritage. Gothic temples, museums, and art galleries in Cologne, Berlin, Hamburg, Kiel, Bremen, Amsterdam, and Paris filled him with powerful creative energy and enriched his artistic baggage.
In 2002, Oleg decided to return to his homeland. He joined the troupe of the St. Petersburg State Drama Theater "Priyut Komedianta". Artistic Director Victor Minkov invited Oleg Kharitonov to participate in the production of a Russian-American play "Like Bees in Honey" based on the play by Douglas Carter Beane. This international project became a significant event in the theatrical life of St. Petersburg. "Like Bees in Honey" is a bright example of modern American drama, a story about the bohemian life of New York. The director of the play, Neil Fleckman, entrusted Oleg with... three roles. During one performance, the actor virtuously "juggled" with diverse characters - the romantic artist Michael, the brutal rock musician Skuns, and the effeminate men's clothing salesman Ronald. Soon after the premiere of "Like Bees in Honey," theatergoers and connoisseurs of St. Petersburg were already "going to see Kharitonov." And Nekh Fleckman himself, recalling his work with Oleg, admitted: "I was amazed by the young artist's desire to delve into the essence of the characters, to find the most accurate meaning of dialogue or scene. This inspired me to come up with new creative solutions." Since 2003, Oleg Kharitonov has been actively working in film and moved to Moscow. He received an offer to work at the Moscow Academic Theater named after Vl. Mayakovsky and immediately became involved in the productions of "The Brothers Karamazov," "The Plague on Both Your Houses," and "The Marriage". The Moscow theater school had a special influence on the actor during rehearsals with the artistic director of the theater, Sergey Nikolaevich Artsibashev. A bright representative of the classical school of Konstantin Stanislavsky, a student of Yuri Petrovich Lyubimov, became not only Oleg's leader but also a wise mentor. Oleg Kharitonov continues to serve in this theater to this day.
