Country

:

Russia

Birth

:

July 7, 1939 in St. Petersburg, Russia

Death

:

January 12, 2015 in Germany

Genre

:

Opera

 

Yelena Obraztsova was a renowned Russian mezzo-soprano who was born on April 7, 1939, in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), Russia. She was the daughter of a military officer and a nurse. Her parents were not musicians, but they loved music and often played recordings of classical music at home. This early exposure to music sparked Obraztsova's interest in singing, and she began taking voice lessons at the age of 13. Obraztsova's talent was quickly recognized, and she was accepted into the Leningrad Conservatory, where she studied under the guidance of the famous Russian soprano, Antonina Nezhdanova. Obraztsova's voice was rich and powerful, with a warm, velvety tone that was perfectly suited to the dramatic roles she would later become famous for. Obraztsova made her professional debut in 1963, at the Kirov Opera in Leningrad, where she sang the role of Marina in Mussorgsky's "Boris Godunov." Her performance was a huge success, and she quickly became one of the most sought-after mezzo-sopranos in Russia. Obraztsova's international career began in 1965, when she made her debut at the Vienna State Opera, singing the role of Amneris in Verdi's "Aida." Her performance was a triumph, and she was immediately invited to perform at other major opera houses around the world. Over the course of her career, Obraztsova performed in many of the world's most prestigious opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Royal Opera House in London, La Scala in Milan, and the Paris Opera. She was particularly renowned for her performances in the works of Russian composers, such as Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, and Rimsky-Korsakov. Obraztsova's repertoire was vast, and she was equally at home in the dramatic roles of Carmen and Dalila, as well as the more lyrical roles of Rosina and Cherubino. Her voice was powerful and expressive, and she was known for her ability to convey deep emotion through her singing. Obraztsova was also a gifted actress, and she brought a great deal of dramatic intensity to her performances. She was particularly renowned for her portrayal of the tragic heroines of Russian opera, such as Marina in "Boris Godunov" and Kundry in Wagner's "Parsifal." Obraztsova was the recipient of many awards and honors throughout her career. In 1977, she was awarded the title of People's Artist of the USSR, the highest honor that could be bestowed upon a performing artist in the Soviet Union. She was also awarded the Order of Lenin, the Order of the Red Banner of Labor, and the Order of Friendship of Peoples. Obraztsova was also a dedicated teacher, and she taught at the Moscow Conservatory from 1994 until her death in 2015. Many of her students went on to have successful careers in opera, and she was widely respected for her knowledge and expertise. Obraztsova's legacy as one of the greatest mezzo-sopranos of the 20th century is secure. Her powerful voice, dramatic intensity, and deep emotional expressiveness continue to inspire and move audiences around the world.

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