10 September 2014, Wednesday

Aleksei Maslennikov, the People's Artist of the RSFSR, celebrated his 85th birthday on September 9th. He devoted more than 60 years of his life to the Bolshoi Theatre.

Aleksei Maslennikov joined the Bolshoi Theatre company in 1956; he soon became one of the leading soloists. Over 30 years at the theatre the singer performed more than 40 parts; he always demonstrated impeccable vocal skills and outstanding acting. Some of his brightest characters in classical operas include Lensky, Faust, the YuíіdivГЇy and Tsar Berendey. Critics also considered Maslennikov's performance in operas by Soviet composers, especially T. Khrennikov and R. Shchedrin, to be very interesting. In 1985 Aleksei Maslennikov finished his performing career, but did not leave the Bolshoi Theatre; he became the director. The production of the opera "Mozart and Salieri" by N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov is considered to be his most prominent project; the opera still is a part of the Bolshoi's repertoire.