[AUTOGRAPH] [1930] Photograph Opera singer FIODOR SZALAPIN Feodor Chaliapin

Original photographic print from the 1930s, depicting Fyodor Shalapin, a prominent Russian singer. This is a portrait of the artist in his old age, captured with the elegance of the era. The photograph bears a handwritten autograph in Cyrillic letters. Similar photographs were created in limited editions, so that - after the artist's handwritten signature - they would go to his admirers - today they are a rare souvenir from the "golden era" of the opera stage.

Fyodor Ivanovich Shalapin (1873-1938) - One of the greatest singers in the history of opera. The most famous bass of the first half of the 20th century. His voice was characterized by a great richness of colors and shades. It was also characterized by an exceptionally wide scale, which allowed the artist to sing both low bass parts and some baritone parts. Above all, however, Shalapin was an artist with an extremely evocative personality and an almost brilliant talent for acting. In addition to the role of Boris Godunov, in which he became an unsurpassed model for his successors, among his most brilliant creations were the roles of Mephisto, Don Basilio, Ivan the Terrible in Pskovanka, Bertram in Meyerbeer's Robert the Devil, and Holofernes in Judith Serov. It was thanks to him that many Russian operas gained success and fame in Western countries. In 1901, with his debut at La Scala in Milan in the leading role in Boit's Mephistopheles, he launched a great international career. From 1905 to 1937, he graced the stage of the Monte Carlo opera house in almost every season. In 1907 he made his first appearance at the Metropolitan Opera House. Interestingly, however, he did not arouse the enthusiasm of the audience, not accustomed to his acting style and musical interpretations, so it was not until 1921 that he reappeared on that stage. After the October Revolution, he took over the artistic direction of the Mariinsky Theater in 1918 and was the first to be honored with the title of People's Artist of the USSR. In 1922 he left the country permanently; from 1921-29 he sang at the Metropolitan Opera House, triumphing in the role of Boris Godunov. In 1935 he traveled around the world, singing in China and Japan, among other places. He appeared in Warsaw many times: at the Philharmonic Hall (1910, 1914, 1928-29, 1936) and the Grand Theater (1930, 1936). (after Polish Music Library)

Year of publication: ca. 1930

Format: 14 x 8.3 cm

Condition: minor rubbing at edges, minor crease of upper right corner.