Petrova Faina Sergeyevna (January 1 (13), 1896, the village of Simbiley, now in Dalnekonstantinovsky District, Nizhny Novgorod Region — April 4, 1975, Moscow) was a Soviet singer (contralto) and teacher. Honored Artist of the RSFSR (1937). A native of the Nizhny Novgorod land, she became known as a soloist of the Bolshoi Theater and a professor at the Moscow Conservatory.[1]
Singing career
In 1914 she graduated from the Moscow Conservatory, where she studied piano under A. B. Goldenweiser and voice under V. M. Zarudnaya. From 1918 to 1928 and from 1933 to 1949 she was a soloist of the Bolshoi Theater; at the same time, from 1919 to 1922, she sang in the Opera Studio of the Bolshoi Theater under the direction of K. S. Stanislavski.[1]
Petrova had a powerful, rich voice with a chest-register timbre. Her repertoire included the roles of the Countess (The Queen of Spades), Lyubov (Mazepa), the Princess (Rusalka), Konchakovna, Lel, Ratmir, Carmen, Amneris, and others.[1]
International activity
Besides her stage work in the USSR, Petrova gave concerts, took part in performances of oratorios, and promoted the works of Russian and Soviet composers abroad. In 1928 she performed in France; from 1929 to 1933 she sang at the Metropolitan Opera (USA) and toured cities in America, Canada, and several European countries.[1]
Teaching career
She taught at the Moscow Conservatory from 1926 to 1928 and again from 1945; from 1945 she held the rank of professor. From 1952 to 1953 she headed the Department of Solo Singing. Her students included L. I. Galushkina, N. S. Isakova, and A. K. Matyushina.[1]
Sources
- belcanto.ru — Faina Sergeyevna Petrova (archive)