Alexandr Uspensky was born on October 21, 1859 (some sources indicate 1852) in Tambov in the family of a priest. Since childhood, Aleksandr dreamed of being a musician. Since 1879 He studied singing at the Moscow Conservatory, participated in student opera performances. He graduated from the Conservatory (class of Giacomo Galvani) in 1885. In 1885-1891 Alexandr Uspensky taught there.

In 1890-1891, the singer honed his skills abroad. From 1890 to 1920, he performed on stage at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. In 1900, he toured Odessa (theatre company of M. Saltykov ). He performed in many cities across Russia with chamber repertoire. From 1902, Uspensky took part in the concerts organised by The Circle of Russian Music Lovers *, performing romances by M. Glinka, A. Dargomyzhsky, C. Cui, N. Rimsky-Korsakov, and P. Tchaikovsky.

Based on the surviving information about the nature and quality of Alexandr Uspensky voice, we can conclude that he could not have hoped for a successful opera career in terms of performing the leading roles in the tenor repertoire. Nevertheless, his mastery of vocal technique, innate intelligence and musical erudition allowed A. Uspensky to take his rightful place in the troupe of the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. Noted by the press even during his student years, these distinctive aspects of his artistic individuality came to full fruition during the years of serving in the theatre. As the renowned musicologist Joel Engel wrote about the role of the Deacon the opera “The Night Before Christmas” by in Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, performed by Alexander Mikhailovich: "What can be said about Mr. Uspensky, who was so successful in the role of the Deacon? Both his makeup and his performance, without resorting to caricature, were very distinctive; his singing was particularly comical – first in a ‘high-pitched voice,’ then ‘in fits,’ higher and higher, in accordance with his appetites, encouraged by the sly smiles of Dikanka Circe."

According to another contemporary, the singer was successful not only in character roles. The pinnacle of his career was Mozart and the Skywatcher. M. Vakarin noted: All of a sudden I am listening to Uspensky in the role of Mozart with Chaliapin as Salieri, and then in such a difficult part as the Skywatcher in ‘The Golden Cockerel’, which he performed beautifully, both musically and scenically, and which, of course, was the crowning achievement of his artistic career.’
The singer died in Moscow in January 1920 of typhus fever.

Most likely, А. Uspensky did not achieve the status of a ‘star’ of the first magnitude, but he was a steadfast, experienced singer who could be relied upon in many secondary roles and some leading parties. He was part of the great troupe that ensured the highest level of performances.

Alexander Uspensky is an example of a talented provincial (from Tambov) who, thanks to his education at the Moscow Conservatory and training abroad, became a member of the country's leading opera troupe for three decades. He witnessed and participated in the heyday of the Russian opera at the turn of the century, sang on the same stage with legends, but, for various reasons, did not become one of the main names preserved in the public memory.

On the cover: A.M. Uspensky in the opera ”Sadko” as skomorokh (wandering minstrel-cum-clown) Sopel. Universal Postal Union, Phototype by K.A. Fiсher;  Publishing House of N.A. Krestovnikov ‘Open Letter'.

The museum Collection section “Prints” features a series of postcards entitled ‘Russian Opera Singers’.  Published by the Committee for Equipping the Expedition to the North Pole for the Exploration of Russian Polar Lands, N.A. Krestovnikov, K. Fischer, and others. Early 20^th century.

*The Circle of Russian Music Lovers (Kerzinsky Circle) was a private concert organisation founded in Moscow in 1896 with the aim of promoting Russian music. It existed until 1912.