Leonid Vitalyevich Sobinov

Leonid Vitalyevich Sobinov – a Russian opera singer (lyric tenor). Honored Artist of the Imperial Theaters, Soloist of His Imperial Majesty, People's Artist of the Republic. He was born into the family of a commercial clerk, a Yaroslavl petty bourgeois, Vitaly Vasilievich Sobinov. He began learning to sing in the gymnasium choir after entering the gymnasium in 1881. His first successful performance took place in 1888 at a gymnasium charity evening. After graduating from the gymnasium with a silver medal in 1890, he enrolled in the Faculty of Law at Moscow University, continuing to study vocals in the student choir.

 

From autumn 1892 Sobinov studied voice at the Music and Drama School (now GITIS) under P. A. Shostakovsky and simultaneously performed with an Italian opera troupe. In 1897 he made his debut on the stage of the Bolshoi Theatre, where he spent his entire creative career. In his first season he performed the roles of Lensky (Eugene Onegin), Faust and the Duke (Rigoletto).

 

Between 1905 and 1911 Sobinov toured Western Europe and gained international recognition. He twice served as director of the Bolshoi Theatre (1917–1918 and from 1921). In the 1930s he continued concert activity in Europe. In 1933 he ended his operatic career. Sobinov was also known for his charitable work: he helped students and various organizations. Leonid Vitalyevich Sobinov died in Riga on October 14, 1934, of a heart attack and was buried in Moscow at the Novodevichy Cemetery.