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- Aleksey Smirnov is a Soviet theater and film actor.
In 1940 he graduated from the theater studio at the Leningrad Theater of Musical Comedy and was accepted into the troupe of the same theater. In 1946, he was accepted into the troupe of the Leningrad Theater of Musical Comedy. In the early 1950s, he had several notable roles in the repertoire of the Musical Comedy Theater. By the end of the 1950s, he became famous among filmmakers. In 1961, when he became an actor in the Lenfilm film studio, two films with his participation were released on the screens of the country. All-Union fame for the actor brought the role in the films of Leonid Gayday. In all these films, he performed in comedic roles. - The preeminent Russian actor, at least in Western eyes, of the first half of the twentieth century. He became interested in the theatre as a teenager and joined the Teatr Mariinskij as a stagehand in 1918. He apprenticed with various traveling companies and therein learned ballet, pantomime, and acrobatics. He studied at the St. Petersburg (Leningrad) Theater Institute and made his stage debut in 1926. The following year, he entered films and his commanding presence soon brought him leading roles and enormous acclaim, as well as the approbation of the Soviet leadership, which elected him a deputy of the Supreme Soviet. His greatest fame world-wide came with his work in the films of Sergei Eisenstein. Following the masterpieces _Aleksandr Nevsky (1938)_ and _Ivan Groznyj I (1945)_ he was named to the Order of Lenin and made People's Artist of the USSR, respectively. He died in 1966. He should not be confused with the actor Nikolay P. Cherkasov who starred in many Russian films.
- Sergey Filippov was born on 24 June 1912 in Saratov, Saratov uyezd, Saratov Governorate, Russian Empire [now Saratov Oblast, Russia]. He was an actor, known for Twelve Chairs (1971), Carnival Night (1956) and Dvenadtsataya noch (1955). He died on 19 April 1990 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia].
- Vasili Vasilyevich Merkuryev was born on April 6, 1904, in Ostrov, Pskov province, Russia. He was the youngest of seven children in the family. His father, named Vasili Ilyich Merkuryev, was a grocer in the city of Ostrov, near Pskov. His mother, named Anna Ilyinichna, was a German immigrant. Young Merkuryev began his acting career in 1920, as an apprentice at the theatre of the city of Ostrov. In 1926 he graduated from the Leningrad Institute of Theatrical Art. Merkuryev made his film debut in 1935, he played a supporting role of Stas in 'Inzhener Goff' (aka.. Zemlya vperedi or Land Ahead, 1935). His professional acting career spanned over 50 years. Merkuryev played more than 40 roles in film and made over 100 stage works.
From 1937-1978 Vasili Merkuryev worked with the Pushkin Drama Theatre (Aleksandrinski Theatre) in Leningrad (St. Petersburg). He was invited to the troupe of the oldest Russian Drama Theatre by his acting teacher Leonid Vivyen. Merkuryev was among the leading actors of the Pushkin Drama Theatre. There his stage partners were such remarkable actors as Nikolay Cherkasov, Nikolai Simonov, Konstantin Skorobogatov, Yuriy Tolubeev, Aleksandr Borisov, Bruno Frejndlikh, Vladimir Chestnokov, Vladimir Erenberg, Leonid Vivyen, Igor Gorbachyov, Olga Lebzak, Nina Mameyeva', Lidiya Shtykan, Nina Urgant, Valentina Panina, and other notable Russian actors.
Vasili Merkuryev was awarded the State prize of the USSR three times: for supporting role in 'Glinka' (1947), for supporting role in 'Povest o nastoyaschem cheloveke' (1949) and for the leading role in 'Donetskie shakhtery' (1952). He also received the Stanislavsky State Prize (posthumously in 1979) for his stage works and other awards and decorations for his works in theatre and film. Merkuryev was honored with the title of the People's Artist of the USSR (1964). From 1932-1978 Merkuryev was a professor at the Leningrad Institute of Theatre, Music and Cinematography. There he led acting class together with his wife, Irina Vsevolodovna Meyerhold, daughter of Vsevolod Meyerhold.
Vasili Merkuryev was known for his compassion and legendary generosity. He shared his money and food with his students during the times when they were struggling to survive. He adopted three children of his brother, Pyotr Merkuryev, who was executed in 1939, under dictatorship of Joseph Stalin. He also named his son, Pyotr Merkurev, in the memory of his brother. Vasili Merkuryev died on May 12, 1978, in Moscow, Russia, and was laid to rest in Necropolis of The Masters of Art "Literatorskie mostki" at Volkovskoe Cemetery in St. Petersburg, Russia. - Director
- Writer
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Grigori Mikhailovich Kozintsev was born on March 22, 1905, in Kiev, Russian Empire (now Kiev, Ukraine). His father, named Mikhail Kozintsev, was a medical doctor. Young Kozintsev studied at the Kiev Gymnazium. There, in 1919, he organized experimental theatre "Arlekin" together with his fellow students Sergei Yutkevich and Aleksei Kapler. During 1919 and 1920 Kozintsev studied art at the Kiev School of Art under the tutelage of Alexandra Exter.
Experiments. In 1920 Kozintsev moved to Petrograd (Leningrad or St. Petersburg). There he studied art at the "VKHUTEMAS" at the Academy of Fine Arts for two years. In 1921 Kozintsev with Sergei Yutkevich, Leonid Trauberg, and Leonid Kryzhitsky organized and led the Factory of Excentric Actors (FEKS). There Kozintsev directed radically avant-garde staging of plays "Zhenitba" (Marriage 1922) by Nikolay Gogol and "Vneshtorg na Eifelevoi Bashne" (Foreign trade on Eiffel Tower 1923). They were based in the former Eliseev Mansion on Gagarinskaya street No. 1 in St. Petersburg. Kozintsev and FEKS collaborated with writer Yuri Tynyanov, cinematographer Andrey Moskvin, young actor-director Sergey Gerasimov, artist Igor Vuskovich, and young composer Dmitri Shostakovich among others. Initially FEKS was the main platform for experimental actors, directors and artists, and was strongly influenced by Vsevolod Meyerhold and Vladimir Mayakovsky.
Artistic position. In 1924 Kozintsev and Trauberg came to "SevZapKino" Studios (now Lenfilm Studios). There Kozintsev continued his FEKS experiments in his first eccentric comedy 'Pokhozhdenie Oktyabriny' (1924). Kozintsev's early films were strongly criticized by official Soviet critics. His film 'Shinel' (1926) was compared to German Expressionism and accused of distortion of the original classic story by Nikolay Gogol. Kozintsev strongly argued against such comparisons with German expressionism; he was unhappy until the end of his life about such criticism of his early experimental works. Kozintsev insisted that his cheerful experiments were essential in the city of Petrograd (St. Petersburg) after the Russian Revolution of 1917, which brought destruction, depression, crime, and degradation of culture.
Early films. Kozintsev made twelve films together with Leonid Trauberg. Their collaboration began in 1921, in Petrograd (St. Petersburg). Their film-trilogy about Russian revolutionary hero Maxim was made from 1935-1941, when people in the Soviet Russia were terrorized under the most brutal dictatorship of Joseph Stalin. In departure from experimental youthfulness and freedom of their FEKS years, the Maxim trilogy was a trade-off blend of experiment and Soviet propaganda. It was still a powerful work and was even banned by censorship in the United States from the 1930s-1950s. For that work Kozintsev and Trauberg were awarded the Stalin's State Prize in 1941. After the Second World War Kozintsev and Trauberg made their last film together: 'Prostye Lyudi (Plain People 1946), which was censored and remained unreleased until 1958, when "Nikita Khrushchev' lifted the ban imposed by Stalin's censorship.
Highlights. Grigori Kozintsev ascended to his best works after the death of Stalin. Then Nikita Khrushchev initiated the "Thaw" which played a role in some liberation of individual creativity in the Soviet film industry. Kozintsev's adaptations of classical literature combined some experimental elements of his earlier silent films with the approach of a mature master. His Don Quixote (1957), King Lear (1969) and especially Hamlet (1963) were recognized worldwide as his highest achievements. In _Korol Lir (1969)_ Kozintsev made a brilliant decision to cast actors from the Baltic States as the Lear's family. Jüri Järvet, Regimantas Adomaitis, Donatas Banionis, Juozas Budraitis, and Elza Radzina together with Oleg Dal, Galina Volchek, Aleksey Petrenko made a powerful acting ensemble.
Hamlet and King Lear. Kozintsev first staged Shakespeare's "Hamlet" and 'King Lear" in 1941. His collaboration with Boris Pasternak began in 1940, when Pasternak was working on his Russian translation of the Shakespeare's originals. Both plays were prepared for stage under direction of Kozintsev. King Lear was staged in 1941, but further work was interrupted because of the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union. Hamlet was staged in 1954. At the same time Kozintsev continued developing the idea of filming _Gamlet (1964)_, until everything came together in his legendary film. The adaptation by Boris Pasternak, the music by Dmitri Shostakovich, the direction by Kozintsev, and the acting talent of Innokentiy Smoktunovskiy produced special creative synergy. Innokentiy Smoktunovskiy was praised as the best Hamlet by Sir Laurence Olivier.
Legacy. In the 1920s Kozintsev taught at the Leningrad School of Acting. From 1944-1964 Kozintsev led his master-class for film directors at the Soviet State Film Institute (VGIK). Among his students were many prominent Russian directors and actors such as Sergey Gerasimov and others. Kozintsev was the head of master-class for film directors at Lenfilm Studios from 1964-1971. He wrote essays on William Shakespeare, Sergei Eisenstein, Charles Chaplin, and Vsevolod Meyerhold and published theoretical works on film direction. Grigori Kozintsev lived near Lenfilm Stidios in Leningrad (St. Petersburg) for the most part of his life. His work and presence was essential to the status of Lenfilm Studios as well as to the film community in Leningrad during the political and economic domination of Moscow as the Soviet capital. From his early works of the 1920s to his masterpiece _Gamlet (1964)_, Kozintsev was faithful to creative experimental approach.
Kozintsev was designated the People's Artist of the USSR. He was awarded the State Lenin's Prize of the USSR (1965), and received other awards and nominations. He died in Leningrad (St. Petersburg) on May 11, 1973, and was laid to rest in the Necropolis of the Masters of Art in St. Aleksandr Nevsky Convent in St. Petersburg, Russia.- Vladimir Kostin was born on 13 January 1939 in Kronstadt, Leningrad Oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia]. He was an actor, known for Vzorvannyy ad (1967), Vnimaniye, tsunami! (1969) and Opasnye gastroli (1969). He died on 1 February 1975 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia].
- Actor
- Make-Up Department
- Director
Vladimir Gajdarov was born on 25 July 1893 in Poltava, Russian Empire [now Ukraine]. He was an actor and director, known for The Victors and the Vanquished (1949), Helen of Troy (1924) and Michel Strogoff (1926). He was married to Olga Gzovskaya. He died on 17 December 1976 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia].- Nikita Mikhaylovsky was born on 8 April 1964. He was an actor, known for Love and Lies (1981), Vyyti zamuzh za kapitana (1986) and Zontik dlya novobrachnykh (1986). He died on 24 April 1991 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia].
- Director
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Fridrikh Ermler was born on 13 May 1898 in Rechitsa, Vitebsk Governorate, Russian Empire [now Rezekne, Latvia]. He was a director and writer, known for The Great Force (1951), Great Citizen (1938) and The Turning Point (1945). He died on 12 July 1967 in Leningrad, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia].- Leonid Andreev was born on August 21, 1871 in Orel, Russia. His father, named Nikolai Ivanovich Andreev, was a member of the provincial Russian Nobility and worked as a land inspector for the government. His mother, Named Anastasia Nikolaevna Andreeva (Pazkovska) belonged to the Polish Nobility. Andreev graduated from the Orel Gymnasium, went to study law at the St. Petersburg University, and graduated from the Moscow University. His work as a crime reporter for "Moscovski Vestnik" (Moscow daily paper) provided material for his stories. He was fond of reading Fyodor Dostoevsky, Lev Tolstoy, and Anton Chekhov. He also red then popular Friedrich Nietzsche and Schopenhauer. After the death of his father and a painful first love experience in 1894 he was depressed and tried to shoot himself in a suicide attempt. He survived and worked hard to support his mother and his two sisters and two younger brothers. He successfully passed the Russian Law Bar in 1897 and practiced law as an attorney for five years from 1897-1902.
Andreev published his first story "Bargamot and Garaska" in 1898. It was noticed by Maxim Gorky, who promoted Andreev to the circle of writers and publishers, called Znanie (Knowledge). In 1901 his first book of stories was published by Znanie. His story "Bezdna" (Abyss, 1902), about a teenager's experience with a prostitute ending in her murder and his suicide, was attacked by Lev Tolstoy. But Andreev became an instant celebrity in Russia. After his anti-war story "Krasny Smekh" (Red Laughter, 1904), written during the Russian-Japanese war, he got involved with anti-Czar revolutionaries. Andreev was arrested and jailed by the Czar's secret service in 1905, after that he emigrated to Europe and lived in Capri, Italy as a guest of Maxim Gorky. While developing his expressionist style, Andreev wrote a bluntly realistic anti-war story "Rasskaz o semi poveshennykh" (A Story About the Seven Hung, 1909) and a realist novel "Sashka Zhegulev" (1911). After the war and the first Russian revolution of 1905, Andreev was writing a play every year. His plays were staged at the Moscow Art Theatre and theatres in Vienna, Berlin, Odessa and Kazan by directors Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko and Vsevolod Meyerhold among others. His best plays "Anathema", "Tsar-Golod" (Czar-hunger), "Samson v okovakh" (Samson in Handcuffs, 1914) were banned by Russian censorship under the Czar. Andreev built a big villa in Kuokkala, Finland, where many Russian intellectuals lived, just 50 km. West of St. Petersburg. He was a regular member of the circle of Korney Ivanovich Chukovskiy and maintained friendship with Maxim Gorky. Leonid Andreev also was a friend of writers Aleksandr Kuprin, Vladimir Korolenko, Ivan Bunin, Vikenti Veresaev, and singer Feodor Chaliapin Sr.. During WWI he was a strong critic of German aggression. In 1917 he opposed the Bolshevik Revolution.
Leonid Andreev was the founder of the Russian Expressionism in literature. He modernized his style through experiments with spiritualism, symbolism, eroticism and mysticism, and also studied a range of occult and religious traditions. His literary parallel was the American writer H.P. Lovecraft. Andreev remained in his villa in Finland after it's separation from Russia during the Russian revolution of 1917. He was a staunch critic of the Soviet communism and wrote powerful articles about the atrocities of communists in Russia. He died on September 12, 1919, at his home in Kuokkala, Finland, at the age of 48. Some mystery was haunting his burial; his grave in Finland was later on the Soviet territory since WWII. His magnificent villa was destroyed. In 1957 Leonid Andreev's remains were exhumed and moved to the prestigious "Poet's Alley" at the "Literatorskie Mostki" (Literary burials) near the graves of Ivan Turgenev, Ivan Goncharov, Nikolai Leskov and other Russian cultural luminaries at the Volkovo Cemetery in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). - Konstantin Adashevsky was a Russian character actor with the Pushkin (Aleksandrinsky) Drama Theatre in Leningrad (St. Petersburg).
He was born Konstantin Ignatevich Adashevsky on April 11, 1897, near Kalisz, Poland. His father, Ignaty Adashevsky, was Polish. The family moved to St. Petersburg, Russia, and there young Adashevsky caught the acting bug. He studied acting at the Davidov School of Russian Drama in St. Petersburg, graduating in 1925 as actor. From 1925-1987 he was a permanent member of the troupe of the Pushkin (Aleksandrinsky) Drama Theatre in Leningrad (St. Petersburg). There his stage partners were such remarkable actors as Yekaterina Korchagina-Aleksandrovskaya, Nikolay Cherkasov, Yuri Yuryev, Boris Babochkin, Nikolai Simonov, Vasiliy Merkurev, Illarion Pevtsov, Konstantin Skorobogatov, Yuriy Tolubeev, Aleksandr Borisov, Bruno Frejndlikh, Vladimir Chestnokov, Vladimir Erenberg, Leonid Vivyen, Nikolai Marton, Igor Gorbachyov, Olga Lebzak, Nina Mamaeva, Lidiya Shtykan, Nina Urgant, Galina Karelina, and other notable Russian actors. He was awarded the State Stalin's Prize of the USSR (1951), and was designated People's Artist of the USSR (1985). Konstantin Adashevsky died of a heart failure on June 1, 1987, and was laid to rest in Serafimovskoe cemetery in St. Petersburg (Leningrad), Russia. - Vera Streshnyova was born on 24 April 1884. She was an actress, known for Kapitanskaya dochka (1928), Zhenitba (1937) and Palachi (1925). She died on 16 September 1957 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia].
- Actor
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Pavel Kadochnikov was born on 29 July 1915 in Petrograd, Russian Empire [now St. Petersburg, Russia]. He was an actor and director, known for Secret Agent (1947), Povest o nastoyashchem cheloveke (1948) and A Big Family (1954). He was married to Rozaliya Kotovich. He died on 2 May 1988 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia].- Glikeriya Bogdanova-Chesnokova was a popular Russian comedienne, dancer and singer who performed about three thousand concerts for the servicemen during the Second World War, and was also known for her hilarious gags and funny faces, notably in the film Mister Iks (1958).
She was born Glikeria (Lika) Vasilevna Bogdanova on May 16, 1904, in Russia (at that time the Russian Empire). Her parents were of mixed Ukrainian and Siberian Cossacs ancestry. She attended Gymnasium in St. Petersburg and was fond of theatre and arts; her mother arranged for her regular visits to the Mariinsky Opera in St. Petersburg. In 1917, at age 13, she made a reckless move by joining the revolutionary crowd on their way to storm into the Tsar's Winter Palace during the Russian Revolution.
From 1919-1922 she studied acting at Academic School of Russian Drama at Aleksandrinsky (now Pushkin) Theatre in St. Petersburg; she was also seriously engaged in comedy, vocal and dance classes. Her classmates were such actors as Nikolay Cherkasov, Yuri Tolubeev, Nikolai Simonov, Boris Chirkov, Aleksandr Borisov, Vasili Merkuryev, Konstantin Adashevsky, and other notable actors. In 1920, while a student, she made her stage debut as Lucille in Molière's 'Le bourgeois gentilhomme' on the Aleksandrinsky stage. From 1920-1924 she was a permanent member of the troupe at Aleksandrinsky Theatre. At that time she married a fellow actor, Dmitri Vasilchikov, and they had one daughter, named Lidia. From 1924-1930 she worked together with her actor/director husband, with a touring troupe, then at Kharkov State Theatre of Musical Comedy, albeit her first marriage did not work, and she returned to St. Petersburg (then Leningrad).
From 1932 - 1941 she was a stand-up comedienne and a singer in Leningrad. At that time she worked with the legendary Leonid Utyosov and his "Tea-Jazz" Big Band at the Leningrad Music Hall. Her numerous performances with Leonid Utyosov helped her professional and personal growth. Maestro Leonid Utyosov was very happy to have her as a principal star, as he commented, "Lika can make people laugh just by making one of her funny faces, and then... she begins to dance..." Although, she did not have a pretty face, Bogdanova-Chesnokova was adored by public and critics alike: for her hilarious gags, for her funny and grotesque masks, and for her effortless style. She also had numerous successful performances with the Leningrad Theatre of Miniatures under the leadership of Arkady Raykin. At that time she was married to actor Semen Chesnokov, and their daughter, named Olga, was born in 1940. Although, she was already a popular stage actress, she had trouble being accepted by the rigid Soviet film community during the 1930s. She made her film debut as an uncredited cabaret actress in Spring Song (1941).
Bogdanova-Chesnokova performed before the soldiers who defended the city of Leningrad besieged by the Nazis, during the Second World War. It is believed that she gave about three thousand performances, often giving three or four full shows daily. At that time she worked with a small troupe of actors, and they were constantly moving along the front-lines around Leningrad, and also performed shows at hospitals to lift the spirits of the wounded veterans. One night during her performance, the Nazis started a deadly bombing attack, her troupe was trying to escape in a truck, but the driver got killed. Bogdanova-Chesnokova, who never had driven a car before, jumped in the driver's seat and managed to escape from the inevitable death and saved the lives of her fellow actors. For that feat she was decorated with the Order of the Red Banner.
From 1945-1983 she was a permanent member of the troupe at the Musical Comedy theatre in St. Petersburg (Leningrad). Her most memorable stage performances were in classic musical comedies by Johann Strauss, Emmerich Kálmán, Franz Lehár, and Isaak Dunaevskiy, as well as in many other plays and shows. During the 50s she also performed in the popular stand-up comedy number with Boris Vyatkin, they had numerous gigs at the Leningrad Circus for three years, and toured about the Soviet Union. At that time she emerged as an important character actress and gave memorable performances in such films as Tiger Girl (1955) , Mister Iks (1958) , and Twelve Chairs (1971) among other films.
Bogdanova-Chesnokova was designated Honorable Actor of Russia (1965), People's Actor of Russia (1970), and was awarded the State Prize of the USSR. She received numerous decorations, including the Order of the Red Banner. She died on April 17, 1983, and was laid to rest in the Necropolis of Masters of Arts in St. Petersburg, Russia. Her artistic tradition and heritage is carried on by her grandson, Yuri Borisovich Pravikov, who is a writer in Russia. A comprehensive biography of Bogdanova-Chesnokova was written by Sergei Kapkov, and was published in Russia in 2004. - Actor
- Director
- Writer
Aleksandr Fedorovich Borisov was born on May 1, 1905, in St. Petersburg, Russia. His father was an industrial worker. Young Borisov was fond of theatre and participated in school drama club. In 1927 he graduated from the class of Yuri Yuryev at the Leningrad Theatre-Studio.
Borisov had also a stellar career as a stage actor. From 1928-1982 he was a permanent member of the troupe of the Pushkin Drama Theatre in Leningrad (St. Petersburg). There his stage partners were such remarkable actors as Yekaterina Korchagina-Aleksandrovskaya, Nikolay Cherkasov, Yuri Yuryev, Boris Babochkin, Nikolai Simonov, Vasiliy Merkurev, Konstantin Skorobogatov, Yuriy Tolubeev, Illarion Pevtsov, Bruno Frejndlikh, Vladimir Chestnokov, Vladimir Erenberg, Leonid Vivyen, Konstantin Adashevsky, Igor Gorbachyov, Olga Lebzak, Nina Mamaeva, Lidiya Shtykan, Nina Urgant, Valentina Panina, and other notable Russian actors.
Aleksandr Borisov was awarded the State Prize of the USSR three times: for his stage works (1947), for the leading role in film 'Akademic Ivan Pavlov' (1949), and for the leading role in film 'Mussorgsky' (1950). He was designated the People's Artist of the USSR (1951) and the Hero of Socialist Labor (1981). Aleksandr Borisov died on May 19, 1982, in St. Petersburg (then Leningrad), Russia, and was laid to rest at the Necropolis of Masters of Arts "Literatirskie Mostki" in Volkovskoe Cemetery in St. Petersburg, Russia.- Writer
- Music Department
Sergei Esenin was born on 3 October 1895 in Konstantinovo, Ryazan Governorate, Russian Empire [now Ryazan Oblast, Russia]. He was a writer, known for Poj pesnyu, poet (1973), The Hollow (2007) and Mongol Shuudan: Moskva (1996). He was married to Sophia Tolstaya, Isadora Duncan, Zinaida Reich and Anna Izryadnova. He died on 28 December 1925 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia].- Actor
- Director
Efim Zakharovich Kopelian (Yefim Kopelyan) was born on April 12, 1912, in Rechitsa, Gomel province, Russian Empire (now Rechytsa, Homel province, Belarus). He studied architecture at the Academy of Arts in Leningrad (St. Petersburg), but after a year he dropped out of college and joined the stunts at the Bolshoi Drama Theatre (BDT). In 1935 he graduated from the Acting Studio of the Bolshoi Drama Theatre (BDT) and became a permanent member of the main troupe. In 1941 Kopelyan married actress Lyudmila Makarova.
Kopelyan was one of the leading actors of the Bolshoi Drama Theatre (BDT) in Leningrad for 43 years. He began his acting career under directorship of Aleksei Dikij and then Boris Babochkin. Among his highest achievements were remarkable stage works under the directorship of Georgi Tovstonogov. Kopelyan's stage partners at the BDT were a stellar troupe of actors, including such prominent film stars as Lyudmila Makarova, Oleg Basilashvili, Tatyana Doronina, Valentina Kovel, Svetlana Kryuchkova, Zinaida Sharko, Kirill Lavrov, Innokentiy Smoktunovskiy, Sergey Yurskiy, Vladislav Strzhelchik, Oleg Borisov, Evgeniy Lebedev, Vsevolod Kuznetsov, Nikolay Trofimov, Pavel Luspekayev, and many other remarkable Russian actors.
Kopelyan shot to fame in the Soviet Union with his legendary narration in the TV series Seventeen Moments of Spring (1973). Kopelyan's special and enigmatic voice in that narration gained him such a wide popularity that he became a hero of many popular jokes. A brilliant film actor, Kopelyan played major film roles in the trilogy 'Neulovimye Mstiteli' (1966-1971), Opasnye gastroli (1969), and Povest o chelovecheskom serdtse (1976) among other popular Russian films. Kopelyan himself considered his part as Ataman in epic film Dauriya (1972) as his best work in film.
Yefim Kopelyan was designated the title of People's Artist of the USSR. He died of a heart failure on March 6, 1975, and was laid to rest in Necropolis of The Masters of Art "Literatorskie mostki" at Volkovskoe Cemetery in St. Petersburg, Russia.- Panteleymon Krymov was born on 13 February 1919 in Petrograd, RSFSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia]. He was an actor, known for Evo Zvali Robert (1967), The Lady with the Dog (1960) and Krug (1972). He died on 19 June 1982 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia].
- Nikolai Konstantionovich Simonov was born on December 4, 1901, in Samara, Russian Empire. His father, named Konstantin Simonov, was a manager of a local food industry. Young Simonov read voraciously and dreamed about acting in theatre. From 1917-1919 he studied art at Samara School of Art and Design. From 1919-1923 he studied art at Academy of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, where his teachers were Aleksei Rylov and Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin. From 1922-1924 he studied acting under Leonid Vivyen at the Institute of Theatrical Arts in St. Petersburg, from which he graduated with honors in 1924.
From 1924 -1973 Nikolai Simonov was a permanent member with the company of Pushkin Drama Theatre in St. Petersburg (Leningrad). Nikolai Simonov was among the leading actors of the Pushkin Drama Theatre. During the 1950s and 1960s he was Artistic Director of the Pushkin Drama Theatre. There his stage partners were such remarkable actors as Yekaterina Korchagina-Aleksandrovskaya, Illarion Pevtsov, Yuri Yuryev, Boris Babochkin, Nikolay Cherkasov, Vasiliy Merkurev, Konstantin Skorobogatov, Yuriy Tolubeev, Aleksandr Borisov, Bruno Frejndlikh, Vladimir Chestnokov, Vladimir Erenberg, Leonid Vivyen, Igor Gorbachyov, Olga Lebzak, Nina Mamaeva, Lidiya Shtykan, Nina Urgant, Valentina Panina, and other notable Russian actors.
Nikolai Simonov made his film debut in 1924 in Leningrad and played supporting roles in five Russian silent films. He shot to fame after his role of Commander Zhikharev in the classic film 'Chapaev' (1934) by brothers Georgi Vasilyev and Sergey Vasilev, where his partners were Boris Babochkin, Leonid Kmit, Illarion Pevtsov, Georgi Zhzhyonov, Boris Chirkov, and other Russian actors. Simonov's portrayal of Tsar Peter the Great in 'The Conquests of Peter the Great' (part one, 1937, and part two, 1938) brought him international fame and numerous awards.
Simonov was considered to be a patriarch of the St. Petersburg school of acting. His education and acting style was based on deep traditions of the School of Russian Drama which was founded in 1779, in St. Petersburg by Catherine the Great. Simonov's stage performances were legendary; several of his stage works were filmed for a historic record. His leading role in "The Living Corpse", an adaptation of the book by Lev Tolstoy, is remembered as one of the highest achievements in stage acting in Russian theatre. Simonov's portrayal of Antonio Salieri in "Malenkie tragedii" by Alexander Pushkin won him a Stanislavski State Prize award in 1962. Simonov regarded acting on stage as superior to acting in film; he supported the similar position of Konstantin Stanislavski and Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko.
Nikolai Simonov was awarded the State Prize of the USSR three times (1941, 1947, and 1950) and the State Prize of Russia (1966). He was the only actor in Russia three times awarded the Order of Lenin (1938, 1950, and 1967) for his achievements as an actor. In 1950 he was honored with the title of the People's Artist of the USSR. Simonov was also the father of a remarkable family, his wife was an actress, and his son, named Nikolai Nikolaevich Simonov, was a famous surgeon in Russia.
Nikolai Simonov died on April 20, 1973, in Leningrad (ST. Petesburg) and was laid to rest in the Necropolis of Masters of arts in St. Aleksandr Nevsky Convent in St. Petersburg, Russia. - Yuri Kamornyj was born on 8 August 1944 in Alapayevsk, Sverdlovsk Oblast, Russian SFSR, USSR [now Russia]. He was an actor, known for 20-e dekabrya (1982), 'Poseidon' speshit na pomoshch (1978) and Sergeyev ishchet Sergeyeva (1974). He died on 27 November 1981 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia].
- Composer
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Isaak Shvarts was a prominent Soviet and Russian composer of Jewish descent. Born in Ukraine (Soviet Union), his family soon moved to Leningrad (present day St. Petersburg) in 1930. By the age of 12 young Isaac has already given his major concert performance at Leningrad Philharmonic Hall. In 1936, during Stalin repressions, his father was arrested (later executed in 1938) and the family was sent in exile to Frunze (present day Bishkek), Kyrgyzstan. He got married in 1943 and had a daughter Galina. He remained in exile until 1945 and upon his return to St. Petersburg began his studies at the city's Conservatory. Graduating in 1951, he began his life-long career of a composer for stage plays and motion pictures. He composed music for over 35 various plays for theaters of Leningrad and Moscow and for over 110 motion pictures, working with well-known directors. He was Akira Kurosawa's choice in composing music for award winning Dersu Uzala (1975). His other notable works on motion pictures include White Sun of the Desert (1970), One Hundred Days After Childhood (1975), Young Catherine (1991), Luna Park (1992), Muzhchina dlya molodoy zhenshchiny (1996). He received several international and local awards and nominations at various festivals and was an Acedemician of the National Academy of Cinematographic Arts, Russia.- Vadim Medvededv was born Vladimir Aleksandrovich Medvedev on April 28, 1929, in Yalta, Crimea province, Ukraine, USSR (now Ukraine). In 1949, he graduated from the Acting Studio of Moscow Chamber Theatre under directorship of Aleksandr Tairov.
From 1952-1966 he was a permanent member of the troupe of Pushkin Drama Theatre in St. Petersburg (Leningrad). There his stage partners were such remarkable actors as Nikolay Cherkasov, Nikolai Simonov, Vasiliy Merkurev, Konstantin Skorobogatov, Yuriy Tolubeev, Aleksandr Borisov, Bruno Frejndlikh, Vladimir Chestnokov, Vladimir Erenberg, Konstantin Adashevsky, Leonid Vivyen, Olga Lebzak, Nina Mamaeva, Lidiya Shtykan, Nina Urgant, Valentina Panina, and other notable Russian actors. In 1954, he made his film debut in A Big Family (1954) by director Iosif Kheifits.
From 1966-1988 Vadim Medvedev was a permanent member of the legendary troupe of Bolshoi Drama Theatre (BDT) in St. Petersburg (Leningrad) under directorship of Georgi Tovstonogov. Medvedev worked with Tovstonogov for 22 years. During that time Medvedev worked with an outstanding ensemble of actors at BDT. There his stage partners were such stars as Oleg Basilashvili, Tatyana Doronina, Alisa Freyndlikh, Lyudmila Makarova, Svetlana Kryuchkova, Zinaida Sharko, Valentina Kovel, Innokentiy Smoktunovskiy, Sergey Yurskiy, Kirill Lavrov, Oleg Borisov, Vladislav Strzhelchik, Yefim Kopelyan, Evgeniy Lebedev, Vsevolod Kuznetsov, Pavel Luspekayev, Nikolay Trofimov, Georgiy Shtil, Leonid Nevedomsky, Yuriy Demich, Roman Gromadskiy, Gennadiy Bogachyov, Andrey Tolubeev, and many other remarkable Russian actors.
Vadim Medvedev was honored with the title of People's Artist of the Russia. He received numerous awards and decorations for his works on stage and in film. His filmography includes over 30 roles, he also played over 80 roles on stage. Vadim Medvedev died on March 2, 1988, and was laid to rest in Bolsheokhtinskoe Cemetery in St. Petersburg (Leningrad), Russia. - Aleksandr Zakharov was born on 19 September 1951 in Leningrad, USSR. He was an actor, known for Flame Top (1980), Amphibian Man (1961) and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson (1980). He died on 26 March 1982 in Leningrad, USSR.
- Semen Chesnokov was a comedian actor in Leningrad (St. Petersburg), Russia. He studied acting in Leningrad. There he worked as a comedian and singer with the Leningrad Music Hall during the 1930s. At that time he married actress Glikeria Bogdanova who changed her name after their marriage to Glikeriya Bogdanova-Chesnokova. They performed as a duet on stage at the Leningrad Music Hall and later at the Theatre of Musical Comedy. In 1940 they had a daughter, named Olga, in the honor of his grandmother. During the Second World War, Chesnokov joined his actress-wife in giving numerous performances for the servicemen at the front-lines around the besieged city of Leningrad. He also gave performances at hospitals, to lift the spirits of the wounded veterans. In 1943, during the siege of Leningrad, his home was destroyed by the Nazi air-bombing, and his daughter, Olga, was killed. Chesnokov, together with his wife, continued giving performances for the defenders of Leningrad. Semen Chesnokov died on the next day after the Victory Day, in May of 1945, of complications related to severe stress and exhaustion due to prolonged hunger during the Siege of Leningrad in the Second World War.
- Aleksandr Kuprin was born on 7 September 1870 in Narovchat, Penza Governorate, Russian Empire [now Penza Oblast, Russia]. He was a writer, known for Trus (1914), Granatovyy braslet (1965) and Sisters of the Gion (1936). He was married to Yelizaveta Maritsovna Geinrikh and Maria Karlovna Davydova. He died on 25 August 1938 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia].