Dobinya Nikitich, Grechaninov -Flowers were growing in the fields.
About Leonid Sobinov (1868-1934)- Tenor. Sobinov was one of a number of fine lyric Russian tenors, and enjoyed an international career being thought the logical successor to his world famous countryman Nicolai Figner (1856-1919). Sobinov completed his training in law before deciding on an operatic career, eventually graduating from the Moscow Conservatory with a Gold Metal. He made his debut at the Bolshoi in 1897 as Sinodal in the "Demon", followed by appearances as Bayan in "Ruslan and Lyudmila", Vladimir in "Prince Igor", the title role in Gounod's "Faust", Alfredo in "La Traviata", The Duke in "Rigoletto" and Lensky in "Eugene Oneguin". In this last role, he was considered to be outstanding, gaining critical acclaim, and being hailed as even greater than Figner. His technique was based on the Italian school although his voice had a distinctive Russian timbre. He joined Mamontov's company, where particular emphasis was given to works by contempory Russian composers. He visited Italy for the first time in 1904, appearing successfully at "La Scala" as Ernesto in "Don Pasquale" in a distingued cast that included Rosina Storchio, Giuseppe de Luca and Antonio Pini-corsi. He returned the following year as "Fra Diavalo, Alfredo in "La Traviata" with Storchio as Violetta and Riccardo Stacciari as Gemont père, and in 1906 he sang Des Grieux in Massenet's "Manon.
Using his Russian connections Raoul Gunsbourg secured Sobinov for the 1907 season at Monte Carlo where he sang "Don Pasquale", with Titta Ruffo, "Mefistole" with Chaliapin, "Rigoletto" with Selma Kurz and Maurice Renaud. He also appeared in the Berlin performances given by the same distinguished Company. From this time, Sobinov appeared at both the Bolshoi and Marinsky, widening his repertoire to include Gerald in "Lakmé", the Prince in "Rusalka", Nadir in "Pescatori di Perle, the title role in "Werther", Berendey in "The Snow Maiden" and Dimitri in "Boris Godunov". Later, he added Gluck's "Orphée", Rodolfo in "La Bohème", Wilhelm Meister in "Mignon", Lohengrin, and Napravnik's "Dubrovsky.
He remained in Russia after the revolution, performing in opera and concert, and was briefly Director of the Bolshoi. He continued to sing as a guest artist and recitalist in Warsaw, Helsinki, Berlin and Paris until his farewell wich took place in 1933 at the Bolshoi. On retirement he joined the staff of Stanislavsky's Opera Theatre Studio where he remained until his death in 1934.
Sobinov's records have always been admired by for their stylish delivery, evenness of scale, and well controlled dynamics. Although famous for his performance of the standard western European operatic roles, he was equally important as a leading Russian artist contributing to a consolidation of a national musical identity.
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