The chief conductor and leader of the song and dance ensemble of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Viktor Eliseev is proud to be the first general in this position. However, for most Russians he was remembered not for his professional achievements, but for a loud divorce from his ex-wife Irina and marriage to a young singer.
Birth family
Eliseev Victor Petrovich - native Muscovite. He was born in 1950. His father Peter Fedorovich participated in the Great Patriotic War. For military merits, he was awarded four orders and many medals. Mom Serafima Evgrafovna worked as a chef. Thanks to her, Victor learned to cook deliciously from childhood. Eliseev’s paternal grandfather was a military man, he served as a centurion in the Chapaev’s detachment.
Education, military service
From school years, the future conductor was fond of music. After the eighth grade of high school, he went to study at the October Revolution Music and Pedagogical College (now - MGIM them. Schnittke). In 1969 he entered the department of choral conducting at the Musical Pedagogical Institute. Gnesins. However, immediately after the start of his studies, he was drafted into the army, where for two years he served as an ordinary soldier. In 1971, Eliseev was appointed conductor of the amateur choir of the part in which he served. After demobilization, he continued to study at Gnesinka. Viktor Petrovich received the institute diploma in 1976, already being well-known in musical circles.
Parish in the ensemble
In 1973, Eliseev was invited to work as a choirmaster in the newly founded song and dance ensemble of the Interior Ministry. After 4 years, a young and talented conductor is promoted to the position of chief choirmaster. In 1985, Viktor Petrovich became the artistic director of the ensemble entrusted to him. For high services in this position in 1988, he was awarded the title of People's Artist of the RSFSR. Since 1995, Eliseev, without leaving a leading position, heads the Cultural Center at the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation. Soon after, he was invited to give lectures at the Moscow Conservatory. P. Tchaikovsky.
Ensemble work
The Eliseev ensemble has become the most famous army musical ensemble not only in the Russian Federation, but also far beyond its borders. In Soviet times, together with his wards, Viktor Petrovich traveled all over the USSR, traveled to Greece, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Italy, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Brazil, Mexico, Korea, Oman and many other states. The team did not lose popularity even after the collapse of the Union. In the early 90's, the inhabitants of China, Israel, Spain, Turkey, etc. became acquainted with his work.
In addition to overseas trips, the ensemble continued to actively tour Russia. Everywhere, wherever he appeared, his concerts were accompanied by full houses and loud applause. The popularity of the Eliseevsky collective was so great that in 1988, during performances in Italy, he was awarded an audience with Pope John Paul II. For professionalism and excellent organizational abilities shown as the leader and chief conductor of the song and dance ensemble of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Viktor Eliseev was awarded the rank of Major General of the Internal Service.
Not only in a peaceful environment gave concerts Eliseev Victor. In 1995, the conductor brought the team entrusted to him three times in Chechnya in order to maintain the fighting spirit of the Russian soldiers during the hostilities. During this period, the ensemble artists gave 33 concerts in Grozny, Mozdok, Khankala and other cities of the republic. Major General organized performances not only on stage, but also in military hospitals, where injured soldiers of the Russian army were treated.
The celebrated ensemble of Victor Eliseev is a regular participant in all the celebrations held at the state level. Wards of the conductor performed on the main stage of the country in honor of the inauguration of Boris N. Yeltsin, during the celebration of the 850th anniversary of Moscow, at the consecration of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Every year, the team takes part in the Victory Parade on Red Square and other equally important events. For active creative work and contribution to the development of national culture in 1998, the ensemble under the direction of Eliseev was awarded a nameplate on the "Alley of Stars" in Moscow.
First marriage
At work, Viktor Petrovich is a professional with a capital letter, completely surrendering to the creative process. Tireless and purposeful, for over 30 years he has remained an indispensable leader and conductor of one of the most important ensembles in the country. Unfortunately, Major General shows loyalty and constancy only in relation to the service. In his personal life, not everything is as perfect as at work.
Eliseev entered into marriage three times. For the first time, Victor Petrovich married in early youth a woman named Marina, who was 5 years older than him. In 1972, the wife gave him a daughter, Julia. When the daughter of the conductor grew up, she decided to follow in her father's footsteps and chose the profession of choirmaster. The first wife of Victor Eliseev witnessed his career take-off. During a life together with Marina, the young conductor came to work in the song and dance ensemble, took the post of its leader, received the title of People's Artist. However, the higher Viktor Petrovich flew up the career ladder, the more he moved away from his wife. 24 years after the start of family life, the couple became strangers who, because of the inability to exchange an apartment, were forced to live under one roof.
Life together with Irina
In the spring of 1993, on the verge of a divorce, during the anniversary of the military unit, Yeliseyev met with the director of the exhibition hall, Irina, and fell in love with her at first sight. Viktor Petrovich tried to care for this beautiful fair-haired woman, but she was in no hurry to reciprocate him. Having divorced her first husband several years ago, she independently raised her son and did not plan to get married again. Moreover, Irina was embarrassed that Eliseev was legally married at the time of their meeting. However, the man was so persistent in his courtship that Irina was forced to yield to him.
In 1994, shortly after the divorce from Marina, Eliseev married for the second time. At first, the newlyweds lived in the Moscow one-room apartment of Irina, where in addition to them, her son and family and mother were also registered. After 2 years, the Eliseevs received a large apartment in the center of Moscow, and a few years later they built a 4-storey house in Peredelkino. Irina quit her job and devoted herself to her husband and household. She managed to establish good relations with her husband’s daughter Julia, and he, in turn, quickly found an approach to his wife’s son and mother.
Divorce and division of property
The marriage of Victor and Irina seemed ideal to others: the couple shone with happiness and appeared at all events. The conductor was still touring a lot. However, despite being busy, he always found time to pay attention to his wife. However, on the eve of 2010, Viktor Eliseev unexpectedly left Irina. A photo taken 2 days before that did not portend trouble: on it, the choirmaster tenderly kissed his wife and looked quite contented with life.
Later it turned out that for several years Viktor Petrovich had an affair with the young soloist of his ensemble Natalya Kurgan. Lovers celebrated the New Year 2010 together in the Maldives, and after returning home, the chief conductor began the divorce process with the division of property. Viktor Eliseev did not skimp on lawyers. He turned off a divorce from his wife in such a way that for almost 17 years of marriage, he got almost nothing. The abandoned spouse, trying to achieve a fair division of property, raised a fuss in the media. However, her efforts were in vain.
Eliseev’s life now
Having received freedom, Victor Petrovich married Natalia Kurgan. In 2011, the daughter of Barbara was born to a 61-year-old conductor. Today, he continues to lead the ensemble of internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, raises a little daughter and does not have a soul in his wife, who is 24 years younger than him. In his free time, Victor Eliseev is fond of football, volleyball and boxing, prepares delicious delicacies and willingly tells reporters about his life.