Fedor Shalyapin was the first Fedor Shalyapin was the first Russian singer, who got the world fame. Russian singer, who got the world fame. He was born in Kazan. His father was an He was born in Kazan. His father was an employee. The childhood of the boy was employee. The childhood of the boy was unhappy, because his family did not unhappy, because his family did not have enough money and he had to work have enough money and he had to work very early. Attending school, Fedor very early. Attending school, Fedor worked as a the pupil of a shoe mender, worked as a the pupil of a shoe mender, the woodcarver, the copyist of papers at the woodcarver, the copyist of papers at the same time.the same time.

Since the youth Shalyapin had a Since the youth Shalyapin had a unique voice. He began to work as the unique voice. He began to work as the supernumerary in the Opera Theatre and supernumerary in the Opera Theatre and he even tried to play dramatic roles. he even tried to play dramatic roles.

The debut of Shalyapin as an opera The debut of Shalyapin as an opera singer took place on December, 18, 1890 singer took place on December, 18, 1890 when he sang a set in opera ’’Galka” by when he sang a set in opera ’’Galka” by Monyushko on the stage of City Theatre in Monyushko on the stage of City Theatre in Ufa. Ufa.

Since that time Shalyapin started to Since that time Shalyapin started to take part in opera performances in different take part in opera performances in different cities. In 1892 at the age of 19 Shalyapin cities. In 1892 at the age of 19 Shalyapin came to Tiflis to earn money. There he met came to Tiflis to earn money. There he met a famous teacher of music Dmitry Usatov. a famous teacher of music Dmitry Usatov. Usatov appreciated Shalyapin’s musical Usatov appreciated Shalyapin’s musical capabilities and began to teach him. So, capabilities and began to teach him. So, Fedor Shalyapin studied and sang on the Fedor Shalyapin studied and sang on the stage of Tiflis musical theatre.stage of Tiflis musical theatre.

In 1894 Shalyapin moved to In 1894 Shalyapin moved to St.Peterburg and started to sing in Opera St.Peterburg and started to sing in Opera Theatre of Panaev. Soon he was invented Theatre of Panaev. Soon he was invented to Mariinsky Theatre. His first performance to Mariinsky Theatre. His first performance there was in April, 5, 1895. At that time he there was in April, 5, 1895. At that time he also married ballet-dancer Iola Tornagi.also married ballet-dancer Iola Tornagi.

But the real fame Shalyapin won in But the real fame Shalyapin won in Opera Theatre of Mamontov in Moscow. Opera Theatre of Mamontov in Moscow. Soon he became the main singer of Soon he became the main singer of Russian opera classics.Russian opera classics.

At that time he made friends with At that time he made friends with Gorky, Procophjyev, Dyagilev, Gorky, Procophjyev, Dyagilev, Rokhmaninov.Rokhmaninov.

Then Shalyapin made a tour to foreign Then Shalyapin made a tour to foreign countries. This tour was triumphal.countries. This tour was triumphal.

In 1907 Shalyapin took part in Russian In 1907 Shalyapin took part in Russian historical concert in Paris. Then he historical concert in Paris. Then he regularly took part in concerts of ”Russian regularly took part in concerts of ”Russian Season” .Season” .

In spite of Shalyapin was very busy In spite of Shalyapin was very busy because of concerts, the singer never because of concerts, the singer never refused to sing for simple people.refused to sing for simple people.

After October Revolution Shalyapin got After October Revolution Shalyapin got the name of the National actor of Republic, the name of the National actor of Republic, but in 1922 he migrated basically because but in 1922 he migrated basically because of conditions of life. He went on to act of conditions of life. He went on to act there. In 1926 he visited Australia.there. In 1926 he visited Australia.

In each opera Shalyapin In each opera Shalyapin participated not only as the actor, participated not only as the actor, but as a director. He selected the but as a director. He selected the necessary make-up and the essential necessary make-up and the essential elements himself. That’s why he elements himself. That’s why he could play different roles with a great could play different roles with a great expressiveness.expressiveness.

Shalyapin was a great actor and Shalyapin was a great actor and singer of our country and we must be singer of our country and we must be proud of him!proud of him!