Irina Arkhipova - Opera singer, owner of the wonderful mezzo-soprano, People's Artist of the Soviet Union, teacher, publicist, public figure. She can rightfully be considered the national treasure of Russia, because the brilliant singing gift of Arkhipova and the global scale of her personality are unlimited.
The main events that Arkhipova Irina Konstantinovna, the husbands of the singer, her achievements in music and in social activities experienced in her life, today is our story about this outstanding woman. By what internal principles did the opera queen of the Soviet Union live, and why did she quarrel with the great Galina Vishnevskaya? The reader will find answers to all these questions in our article.
Childhood memories
Irina Arkhipova is a singer, whose biography began in Moscow. The girl was born in January 1925 in a family of intelligent and very musical people. Her father - engineer Konstantin Vetoshkin - was an incredibly creative person, he played four musical instruments - the piano, balalaika, guitar, mandolin. This commitment to music stretched from the ancient times of the Vetoshkin family. Once in the family of Konstantin Ivanovich's parents there was a whole family orchestra. Mom Arkhipova - Evdokia Efimovna Galda - sang in the Bolshoi Theater. Irina Konstantinovna recalls: “Mom had a very beautiful voice with a soft timbre, dad always admired her talent. Parents loved attending concerts, opera performances, and ballet. ” Live music constantly sounded in the parental home, Irina heard it from childhood.
Parents tried to instill a diverse education and, of course, a love for their daughter's music. I must say that Irina was a gifted child in many things - she showed the ability to draw, sang well. They decided to send her to study at a music school at the Conservatory in Moscow in piano. However, the education had to be interrupted - the girl suddenly fell ill and was unable to attend classes. Later, Irina again made an attempt to approach the world of music - she entered the Gnesin sisters school and began to study with Olga Fabianovna Gnesina. At the same time as piano lessons, Irina Konstantinovna sang in the school choir.
Choice of profession
Parents, of course, understood that their daughter had musical talent, but they were of the opinion that singing is not the best thing that allows you to get comfortable in life. Either the profession is an architect, to which Arkhipova had considerable talents. In addition, Irina Konstantinovna always admired the works of famous women sculptors A.S. Golubkina, V.I. Mukhina seriously thought about how to connect her life with architecture.
The war made a choice for Irina Konstantinovna. The Vetoshkin family was evacuated to Tashkent. There, the future opera diva entered the Architectural Institute, which by coincidence was also in Tashkent, in evacuation. In parallel with her studies at the university, Irina Konstantinovna Arkhipova studied in the vocal studio at the institute. Her teacher was Nadezhda Malysheva, who opened the music world to the student, introduced her to opera. According to Irina Arkhipova herself, it was Nadezhda Matveevna who initially led the student to the correct interpretation of musical works, taught her to feel the form and content, and introduced her to romance and opera literature.
Within the walls of the Architectural Institute, the first performance of Irina Arkhipova to the public was held. I must say that music and theater were highly respected both among teachers and among university students, and such concerts were an important part of students' lives.
In 1948, Irina Arkhipova defended her diploma project “excellently” and distributed to an architectural workshop that was engaged in Moscow projects. With the participation of Irina Arkhipova, residential buildings were created on the Yaroslavl highway. According to her project, the Moscow Financial Institute was built.
Singing career. Start
In 1948, evening training became available at the Moscow Conservatory, and Irina, leaving her work as an architect, entered the first year of the educational institution in the class of an artist of the RSFSR Leonid Savransky. In 1951, the singer made her debut on the radio. In 1954, Irina Arkhipova switched to full-time education, for which she took leave at her own expense. She sincerely believed that after graduation she would definitely return to architectural business, but this did not happen. Irina Konstantinovna brilliantly defended her thesis, passed the state exams with honors and entered graduate school. Unfortunately, she failed to attend the Bolshoi Theater troupe.
In 1954, Irina Arkhipova left for Sverdlovsk, where she worked at the opera house for a year. The first popularity came to the singer when she won the International Vocal Competition. Having taken the Grand Prix in a music competition, Irina Arkhipova decided not to stop there. The biography of her creative formation continued with concert activities in the cities of Russia. Two years later, the future opera diva ended up in Leningrad. She performed very successfully on the stage of the Maly Theater, after which she was invited to stay in the cultural capital. However, unexpectedly for all, on the orders of the Ministry of Culture, Arkhipova was transferred to Moscow. Since March 1956, Irina Konstantinovna officially was listed in the troupe of the Bolshoi Theater.
Work at the Bolshoi Theater
On the first of April of the same year, Irina Arkhipova made her debut on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater - she performed with great success in Georges Bizet’s opera Carmen. Her stage partner was the Bulgarian dramatic tenor Lubomir Bodurov. Of course, in the career of a young and novice artist, this was a sharp turn. Irina Arkhipova, whose biography of creativity began several years ago, did not have time to work out at the Bolshoi Theater even for a year. And so she already got the main part in the great opera.
As Irina Arkhipova herself recalled about that period of time: “All my thoughts were occupied only with one thing - to prepare and perform well in the performance. In my youth and ignorance of life, I didn’t even imagine that being afraid was not worth the first appearance on the stage. Beware of following the debut appearance on it precisely as a soloist of the production of “Carmen”. It seemed to me then that this was a simple pattern - the first time in the Bolshoi and immediately in the lead role. I could not think that this is an exceptional case. "
In May 1959, another important event took place in the career of Irina Arkhipova - she performed one of her favorite roles in the play “Khovanshchina” by Mussorgsky - the part of Martha.
World recognition
In June 1959, tenor from Italy Mario Del Monaco was organized in the USSR. The opera singer took part in the play "Carmen", becoming Irina Arkhipova's stage partner. His arrival in the Soviet Union was an incredible event that had a public outcry. The duet with a world star was the culmination event in the creative career of Irina Arkhipova, who opened the door to world popularity in front of her. Television and radio broadcasts of the play in Europe contributed to the instant recognition of the talent of the Russian queen of opera. Arkhipova Irina Konstantinovna, whose photo now did not leave the covers of Soviet magazines, did not have time to accept numerous job offers from abroad.
She had joint performances with Mario Del Monaco in the cities of Italy. By the way, this was the first performance of a Russian singer on Italian stages in the history of all Soviet opera art. Irina Arkhipova acted as a pioneer in promoting the domestic opera school in the West. Soon, the first internship of young Soviet singers in Italy became possible - Milashkina, Vedernikova, Nikitina, etc.
Acquaintance with Wustman and Caballe
In the summer of 1963, Irina Arkhipova went to Japan, where she gave 14 concerts in many cities of the country. In 1964, the singer performed on the stage of “La Scala” in the performances: “Boris Godunov” (the part of Marina Mnishek), “War and Peace” (the part of Helen Bezukhova), “The Queen of Spades” (Polina). Irina Arkhipova also managed to visit the ocean - she held several performances in the United States. In New York, the singer met John Wustman, a famous pianist with whom they recorded a record with the works of Rachmaninov and Mussorgsky at Melody. The collaboration was awarded the Grand Prix Golden Orpheus in France. By the way, John Wustman became for Arkhipova a creative friend for many years.
Thanks to the festival held in the south of France, Irina Konstantinovna met Montserrat Caballe and was unspeakably surprised at the dignity of the world star. “During our work in the play“ The Troubadour ”, Montserrat never allowed herself the“ royal ”whims. She was always attentive to her colleagues on the stage, not suppressing any of them with her fame. Her behavior confirms the immutable truth - the great artist does not boast anything - art, his own talent and great ability to work speak for him. ”
Personal life
Active creative activity did not become an obstacle to the personal happiness of the singer. Opera diva several times tried to start a family. The husbands of Irina Arkhipova belonged to different professional circles. The first husband of Irina Konstantinovna was Yevgeny Arkhipov, to whom in 1947 she gave birth to her son Andrei. However, the marriage soon broke up. The second husband of the singer was her colleague in the workshop. Irina Arkhipova and Piavko Vladislav, an opera tenor, met at the Bolshoi Theater. Once upon a time, an unfortunate ending was predicted for this relationship, but the spiteful critics made a mistake in their predictions.
According to relatives of the Soviet opera diva, she was happy in marriage. In addition to creativity, the life of Irina Konstantinovna was also filled with female happiness.
Vladislav Piavko and Irina Arkhipova lived together for more than forty years. Although the relations of two talented people began with a scandal, which was learned not only in the Soviet Union, but also far beyond its borders. The conflict between Irina Arkhipova and Galina Vishnevskaya, another prima of the Bolshoi Theater, flared up precisely because of the young and promising opera singer Vladislav Piavko. The details of this scandalous story became known to the public thanks to a story published by Irina Konstantinovna in her husband’s book (Vladislav Piavko) “Tenor: from the chronicle of lived lives ...”.
And it all happened like this. When the aspiring singer just appeared on the threshold of the Bolshoi Theater, he immediately began to look after Galina Vishnevskaya, but rather, not as a man, but as an admirer of her great talent. A friend of Vladislav sent him from Riga a huge number of carnations, which the tenor presented to Galina Pavlovna as a sign of admiration and boundless respect. When Irina Arkhipova came to the theater, Piavko unexpectedly “switched” to her. The singer made it clear to the man that he would not succeed, if only because he was much younger than Irina. However, this did not alienate the fan, but only further irritated him.
The official version of the quarrel between the two opera divas was their dispute over participation in the same performance, but the true cause of the conflict was far from working, but personal. A tough conversation took place between the women, during which Arkhipova spoke out, not embarrassed in her expressions. It got to the point that Galina Vishnevskaya wrote a statement to Arkhipova at the party committee. The woman was summoned to a party meeting with a demand to apologize. Arkhipova offered to apologize only for the form, refusing to apologize for the content. With this meeting of the party committee, it was all over.
Soon, the romance of the prima of the Bolshoi Theater and Vladislav Piavko became known to others. Under the onslaught of Siberian stubbornness, Irina Arkhipova saved the man. And fate certainly played an important role here.
Vladislav Piavko and Irina Arkhipova had a significant age difference, which amounted to sixteen years. In the marriage, the singers did not have common children, but Vladislav was already the father of four. Irina Arkhipova had her only son Andrei. After a while, the grandson of Andryush was born at the opera diva, who later graduated from the conservatory and became an artist of the Bolshoi Theater. Andrei had a daughter, Irina, who was named after her famous grandmother. Unfortunately, the great Irina Arkhipova outlived her son for four years.
Social activity
Irina Arkhipova’s career as a public figure began with her participation as a jury member in the Tchaikovsky Competition in 1966. Then there was the chairmanship in the Glinka Competition, participation in many world forums, for example, Verdiev Voices, the Queen Elizabeth Competition in Belgium, the vocal competition in Paris and Munich, the Maria Callas and Francisco Vinyas Competitions in Greece and Spain, respectively.
Since 1986, Arkhipova is the head of the All-Union Musical Society, later renamed the International Union of Musical Figures. In the 90s, Irina Arkhipova became the chairman of the commission in the Bul-Bul Competition, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of this singer from Azerbaijan. In 1993, a special Fund named after Irina Arkhipova was created in Moscow, which in every way supports beginner musicians. However, the large-scale activity of Arkhipova is not limited only to the musical sphere. Irina Konstantinovna participates in various congresses and symposia of international scale, which deal with the global problems of mankind.
Irina Arkhipova achieved her heights in life thanks to titanic work, perseverance, and love for the profession. This woman is a unique phenomenon. In addition to all of the above areas of activity, she is a great hard worker.
Arkhipova - Hero of Socialist Labor, laureate of the Russian State Prize for enlightenment, laureate of the Moscow City Hall prize in the field of literature and art. Her activities are marked by the International Prize of the Foundation of St. Andrew the First-Called. In the piggy bank of the regalia of Irina Konstantinovna are three orders of Lenin, the Order of the Red Banner of Labor, the Order of Merit for the Fatherland. The singer was awarded the Cross of St. Michael of Tver, the distinction "For mercy and charity", the Pushkin medal. In addition, Irina Arkhipova is a national artist of several states at once - Kyrgyzstan, Bashkortostan and Udmurtia. Also, Irina Konstantinovna owns several honorary titles - “Man of the Year”, “Man of the Century”, “Goddess of Arts”.
Arkhipova. Who is she?
In the year of her eightieth birthday, Irina Arkhipova gave an interview to izvestia.ru reporters, in which she shared her memories and life guidelines. The singer talked about the fact that in her dizzying musical career, she experienced a lot. Arkhipova did not always sing what she wanted. Often she had to perform chamber programs in order to be busy with something. Arkhipova Irina Konstantinovna, whose biography of creativity includes a huge number of facts and events, still regrets something. She never had to sing from the scene "Orleans Maiden."
By the way, Arkhipova did not have powerful patrons, she was never anyone's favorite. People loved her for her talent, and that was enough. Irina Arkhipova was often nominated as a deputy without her knowledge, in absentia. She did not resist and tried to help her voters as much as she could. Basically, I had to solve the housing problem. By the way, according to the singer herself, in the Supreme Council she often met decent people. Irina Arkhipova organized the construction of the church on the Prokhorovsky field, where she invested large sums of money.
A little bit about yourself
The woman confidently declares that she has stretched out a happy ticket in her life. She had wonderful parents, friends, and relatives. She always did what she liked; traveled to many countries; I met with prominent people of my time; felt the love of fans of her work.
And all her life she felt herself necessary. Arkhipova always tried to live by the principle: “Whatever the age in which you live, there will be no other time for you. So now it’s important to do something that will leave a mark on people's hearts for many years to come. ” In addition, Irina Arkhipova felt herself to be just a happy woman. Her personal life developed and was long and full. She is grateful to her partners for everything. A woman has learned something from each of them. Irina Arkhipova and her husbands have always been more than just roommates. They were friends.
At one time, a woman helped her grandson Andrei Arkhipov get into the troupe of the Bolshoi Theater. But not just because it is her relative. The singer really saw in her Andrew a huge musical talent.
She said about herself that her character was complex, and not everyone liked him - Arkhipova always had the habit of telling people the truth in person. Because of this, she was often considered harsh. And she was not harsh, but just quick-tempered. She could break and commit a rash act, which she later regretted. Irina Arkhipova died in February 2010 at the age of 85. She was buried in Moscow at the Novodevichy cemetery.