16.06.2025
Legends of the Bolshoi Theatre. Antonina Nezhdanova
Antonina Nezhdanova was born on 16 June 1873, in the village not far from Odessa. A singer of phenomenal artistry, she delighted several generations of listeners and became legendary. Her artistic work occupies a special place in the world of singing. Antonina is one of the most famous soloists in the history of the Bolshoi Theatre. She made her debut in April 1902, replacing an ailing performer. Just one week later, Antonina Nezhdanova officially became a soloist at the Bolshoi.
With her beautiful, unusual-sounding lyric coloratura soprano voice, rare charm, diverse repertoire, clear diction and virtuoso technique, Nezhdanova quickly became a favourite with the public. The role of Antonida in Mikhail Glinka's opera “Ivan Susanin” was the first one in a series of captivating characters portrayed by Antonina in operas by Russian composers. These include: Lyudmila (in “Ruslan and Lyudmila” 1902); Volkhova (“Sadko”, 1906); Tatyana (“Eugene Onegin” 1906); Snow maiden (”The Snow Maiden”, 1907); The Queen of Shemakha (“The Golden Cockerel”, 1909); Martha (“The Tsar's Bride”, 1916); Iolanta (“Iolanta”, 1917); Olga (“The Mermaid”, 1924); and Parasya (“The Fair at Sorochyntsi”, 1925).
In 1912, Antonina Nezhdanova enjoyed great success performing at the Opéra de Paris. She was awarded the title of People's Artist of the RSFSR in 1925 and People's Artist of the USSR in 1936. Along with opera arias, Antonina Nezhdanova performed chamber vocal compositions. Her extensive repertoire of over 700 works featured compositions by S.V. Rachmaninoff, P.I. Tchaikovsky, L. van Beethoven, F. Schubert and I.F. Stravinsky and other great composers. Folk songs and romances occupied a significant place in the singer's repertoire.
Nezhdanova brought true fame to Russian vocal art. A notable example of this is the fact that Sergei Rachmaninoff composed 'Vocalise' specifically for her in 1915. When the great singer asked why there were no words, the composer replied, “Why do you need words when your voice and performance can express everything much better than anyone could with words!”
The legacy of Antonina Nezhdanova lies in her revolutionary impact on the Russian opera scene. While Russian singing could previously be dramatic and theatrical, Nezhdanova introduced an extraordinary poetry of sound to the classical Russian repertoire. Her performance style is considered classical, which is why her art and fame transcend the era in which she lived.
Today is the birthday of one of the greatest Russian opera singer, Antonina Nezhdanova. The museum Phonotheque features a musical selection compiled from the timeless musical masterpieces performed by a talented artist.