Smetannikov Leonid, whose biography is described in this article, is a famous opera singer, a talented teacher. Twice Honored Artist - Karakalpak Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic and the RSFSR. He was also twice awarded the title of People's Artist - the RSFSR and the USSR.
Childhood
Smetannikov Leonid was born on August 12, 1943 in the Chelyabinsk region, in the Nagaybak district, the village of Fershampenuaz. He spent all his earlier childhood in the South Urals. During the evacuation in wartime, his mother, Elena Ivanovna , went there . Father, Anatoly Pavlovich, joined them later, after recovery. For a long time he was in the hospital, having been seriously wounded.
After the war, the whole Leonid family returned back to Dneprodzerzhinsk, in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Smetannikov’s talent began to manifest itself in childhood. He was at first a chant in kindergarten, then at school.
Education
Smetannikov Leonid graduated from a seven-year high school in 1957. Then he entered a technical school. He graduated in 1961. A year later he left for Dnepropetrovsk and entered the music school for the first year of the vocal department. He graduated in sixty-sixth year. After that he left for Saratov and entered the local conservatory. Sobinova. Leonid Anatolyevich ended up in the class of Alexander Bystrov, who raised many talented opera singers. Later, many of them successfully worked in philharmonic societies and in opera.
Career
Leonid Anatolyevich began his career as an electrician at the Dneprodzerzhinsk Metallurgical Plant, where he got a job immediately after graduating from an industrial college. After moving to Dnepropetrovsk, Smetannikov had to work for four years in the Palace of Culture as a radio operator-illuminator. There was not enough money, and the future singer somehow made ends meet.
Theatrical career as an opera singer
At first it was very difficult. In the afternoon he studied, worked in the evenings. I had to find time to work with my voice, look for my own unique timbre, and develop a dramatic baritone. After a long time - and lyrical.
In December 1968, Leonid Smetannikov was invited to Saratov, to the Opera and Ballet Theater. Chernyshevsky. He quickly became an opera soloist and a year later performed the first part in The Queen of Spades. After he performed many large and small parts in the Enchantress of Tchaikovsky (Zhuran), Yakov Shibalka, Lensky (ataman), Teremka (Hedgehog), etc.
The test was the party from the "Barber of Seville" Rossini (Figaro). The State Commission from the Conservatory, evaluating graduates, came to the premiere of the performance. Leonid Anatolievich passed the exam perfectly.
Creative activity "in full force"
Smetannikov Leonid constantly performed at concerts. Thanks to hard training and practice, he quickly gained creative power as a singer. While still in his fourth year, Leonid Anatolyevich received the right to recitals.
The first took place in the seventies, it included arias, songs and romances. In 1971, together with the best singers, Smetannikov performed works on Central Television. This was his first recognition as a singer. The star year was for Smetannikov Leonid 1973. At this time, he received a prize winner of several festivals and competitions:
- All-Union in Minsk (among professional performers).
- The Tenth World Festival of Youth and Students in the capital of the German Democratic Republic of Berlin.
- The Sixth All-Union Vocal Competition in Chisinau.
Smetannikov Leonid - the first singer to perform song "Victory Day". He sang it in 1975, on the eve of May ninth, on the set of Blue Light. In 1977, Leonid Anatolyevich was invited to teach at the Saratov Conservatory, at the department of solo singing. In the eighty-ninth year, Smetannikov received the title of professor.
The result of creative activity
For forty years of his creative activity, Leonid Anatolyevich sang in more than 900 performances. He took part in thousands of concert programs not only in his country, but also abroad. Smetannikov released five solo albums with recordings of arias, Russian songs and romances.
He has played in three music films. A regular guest on television and radio. He toured in the United States of America. In 2005, Leonid Anatolyevich’s concert tour was timed to coincide with the anniversary - the sixtieth anniversary of the Great Victory over fascism. Smetannikov performed in Moscow on Red Square and in Volgograd, on Mamaev Kurgan.
Awards of the famous opera singer
Smetannikov Leonid, an opera singer of the Soviet, Russian and foreign repertoire, was awarded many insignia, orders and titles. In 1982 he received the State Prize of the RSFSR for his creative activity from 1980 to 1981. He has three orders: the Badge of Honor, Friendship and Rev. Seraphim. Smetannikov received the VVC Gold Medal. He is an honorary citizen of Saratov and from this area received the Badge of Honor "For the love of his native land."