The famous Russian theater director Vladimir Vorobyov was born in Leningrad in 1937. Over 15 years staged performances at the Leningrad Theater of Musical Comedy, is considered the founder of the Russian musical genre. In addition, he shot films, wrote scripts and conducted teaching. He has the title of Honored Art Worker of the RSFSR, obtained in 1978.
Years of study
The first profession of Vladimir Vorobyov at first glance has nothing to do with his work. In 1960, he graduated from the Leningrad Shipbuilding Institute and for some time worked in the specialty in distribution. Three years later, Vorobyov entered the directing course at the Leningrad Institute of Theater, Music and Cinematography. However, the love of the sea and ships forever remained in his heart. This is proved by the famous film “Treasure Island”, which the master shot in 1982. Adventure movies performed by talented artists immediately fell in love with the Soviet audience, and after many years they still continue to watch it.
At the Theater Institute, the teacher of the course of Vladimir Vorobyov was the famous Georgy Alexandrovich Tovstonogov - director of the Bolshoi Drama Theater in Leningrad. He brought up a whole generation of talented directors, paying great attention to the Stanislavsky system. Vorobyov was considered one of the most gifted students of the institute. However, he was distinguished by a complex character, which manifested itself later in the work. So, he could simply not go on stage if the role or staging did not meet his requirements.
Classmates of Vladimir Vorobyov were famous directors Efim Padve and Boris Gersht, in a parallel group studied Kama Ginkas and Henrietta Yanovskaya. Students noted Vorobyov’s high performance, said that he could rehearse from morning to night, not knowing fatigue. Interesting directorial discoveries, entertainment and originality - all this was masterfully embodied in his work by Vladimir Vorobyov. His biography is full of events in which the hobbies of ships intertwined with a thirst for adventure and adventure, but at the same time there was also the ability to handle the team, as Tovstonogov taught.
Period of work at the Leningrad Komsomol Leningrad Theater
In 1968, Vladimir Vorobyov graduated from the institute and came to work at the Lenin Komsomol State Theater in Leningrad, now known as the “Baltic House”. From 1969 to 1971 he worked here as an artistic director. During this period, several productions were made. Among them:
- Performance-concert "Visible Song", consisting of two sections. The production was also attended by Yefim Padve, the leadership was carried out by Georgy Tovstonogov.
- The musical and dramatic poem West Side Story, which was attended by young artists Emanuel Vitorgan, Alla Balter, Vadim Yakovlev, Victor Kostetsky and other actors, mostly graduates of Georgy Tovstonogov.
In 1972, Vladimir Vorobyov had to leave the Lenkom due to personnel changes.
Work at the Musical Comedy Theater
Thanks to the support of his mentor Georgy Tovstonogov in 1972, Vladimir Vorobyov became the main director of the Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) theater of musical comedy. Here the master works until 1988. The performances staged during this period are rightfully included in the golden fund of the history of the musical theater of Russia. Vorobyov’s performances were distinguished by high skill, where all facets of the art of transformation were harmoniously combined: drama, plastic, voice. In Soviet times, the concept of “musical” did not exist, but it was his performances that became the basis for the development of this genre.
The most famous productions:
- Krechinsky’s Wedding (1973) based on the play by Alexander Sukhov-Kobylin. Composer - Alexander Kolker, poet and playwright - Kim Ryzhov.
- Truffaldino (1977) based on the play by Carlo Goldone, The Servant of Two Masters. Music by Alexander Kolker.
- “Case” (1977) according to the trilogy of Alexander Sukhov-Kobylin. The musical was written by Alexander Kolker.
Vladimir Vorobyov was truly a brilliant director. He was able to erect a classical operetta on such a high artistic pedestal that the period of his work was dubbed the golden age of the Leningrad Musical Comedy Theater.
Vladimir Vorobyov - director of musical films
In addition to working in the theater, Vorobyov made several television films that were very fond of the Soviet audience. The film “Truffaldino from Bergamo” starring with Raikin and Gundareva gained national fame. The actors of his theater were approved for the remaining roles. Vladimir Vorobyov is called the last director in whom all the characters sing with their voices. Modern cinema often practices a different approach, when some actors are shot, and others are voiced. “Truffaldino” is interesting because at first the film was shot, and after Vorobyov transferred it to the theatrical stage.
The two-part television movie Krechinsky’s Wedding, on the contrary, was shot after the premiere of the performance in the theater and was released in 1974. All roles were performed by the same actors of musical comedy, surprising with an amazing harmony of play and vocals. This musical comedy is among the best works of Soviet cinema, and is still being watched with pleasure by modern viewers.
In 1982, viewers saw the three-part film "Treasure Island". Here Vladimir Vorobyov not only acted as a director, but also played the role of pirate George Mary. Together with him, the son of Konstantin starred in the role of a young pastor. It is known that the television movie was censored twice, as a result of which several scenes were cut.
Movie roles
In addition to the role of a pirate in his television movie "Treasure Island", Vorobyov starred in several more films. He first appeared on the screen in 1967, his character is Simon Mochalkin in the film Bracelet-2. Later, the audience saw him in the role of deputy director in the film "From paycheck to paycheck" (1985), in 1986 he starred in the film "Fuete", playing the secretary of the regional party committee. In the television movie "The Extraordinary Adventures of Karik and Vali" Vorobyov played the role of police colonel.
In addition, the director wrote scripts for television films. So, in 1972, according to his script, director Igor Usatov shot the film “Tobacco Captain” on a historical theme.
Director's family and personal life
The parents of the outstanding director were peasants from the Tver region: Egor Dmitrievich and Anastasia Grigorievna Vorobyev. It is known that the Great Patriotic War claimed the life of his father.
There is not much information about the actor’s personal life, one thing is for sure - a theatrical dynasty appeared in St. Petersburg, and Vladimir Vorobyov became its founder (photos are presented in the article).
His children - Konstantin and Dmitry - famous theater and cinema artists, two grandchildren also chose the stage path.
A tragic accident cut short the life of a brilliant master in his 62nd year, when there were still a lot of plans, new productions and benefits. But the name of Vladimir Vorobyov will forever be inscribed in the theatrical history of Russia and Soviet cinema.