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Vladimir KastorskyRussian and Soviet opera artist (bass), chamber singer, vocal teacher
Date of Birth: 14.03.1870
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Content:
- Early Life and Musical Beginnings
- Vocal Studies and Debut
- Career as an Operatic Bass
- Other Theatres and Tours:1918-1930
- Chamber Singing and Teaching
- Later Years
- Death and Legacy
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Born:March 2, 1870, in the village of Bolshiye Soli, Kostroma Governorate (now Nekrasovskoye, Yaroslavl Oblast)
Born into a large family of a rural priest, Boris Mikhailovich Mikhailov exhibited musical talent from a young age. He sang as a chorister in the church choir from the age of nine and went on to attend the Kostroma Theological Seminary and the Penza Theological Seminary.
Vocal Studies and Debut
Influences:M. Battistini, A. Cotogni, A. Mazini, F. NavarriniDespite being initially dismissed from the Saint Petersburg Conservatory for perceived lack of talent, Mikhailov persisted with his studies. He received guidance from renowned Italian singers and made his operatic debut in 1894 in Pskov.
Career as an Operatic Bass
Marinsky Theatre:1898-1918Mikhailov joined the Mariinsky Theatre in 1898 and became a prominent member of the ensemble for over two decades. He performed leading bass roles and collaborated with eminent conductors such as Ivan Tartakoff and Maria Battistini.
Other Theatres and Tours:1918-1930
After leaving the Mariinsky Theatre, Mikhailov performed with the Bolshoi Theatre (1918-1923) and the Leningrad Theatre of Opera and Ballet (1923-1930). He also undertook extensive tours throughout Russia and abroad, including the prestigious Russian Seasons of Sergei Diaghilev.
Chamber Singing and Teaching
Vocal Quartet:1907Mikhailov was renowned not only for his operatic performances but also as a distinguished chamber singer. He co-founded a vocal quartet in 1907 that specialized in Russian folk songs.
Teaching Career:Leningrad Theatre of Opera and Ballet, Leningrad Conservatory
After retiring from the operatic stage, Mikhailov dedicated himself to teaching. He held faculty positions at the Leningrad Theatre of Opera and Ballet and the Leningrad Conservatory, where he trained a generation of talented singers, including Vadim Bunchikov and Oleg Korsunov.
Later Years
Great Patriotic War:1941-1945During World War II, Mikhailov was evacuated to the Ivanovo Oblast, where he performed for Soviet soldiers and donated his savings to the Defense Fund.
Death and Legacy
Death:July 2, 1948, in LeningradBurial:Volkovo Lutheran Cemetery
Boris Mikhailovich Mikhailov passed away at the age of 78, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy. He is remembered as one of the greatest operatic basses of his time, known for his exceptional vocal talent, musical artistry, and unwavering dedication to the art of singing.
