Pyotr Ivanovich Slovtsov (russian: Пётр Ива́нович Словцо́в; 30 June 1886 – 24 February 1934) was a famous

Russian Russian(s) refers to anything related to Russia, including: *Russians (, ''russkiye''), an ethnic group of the East Slavic peoples, primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries *Rossiyane (), Russian language term for all citizens and peo ...

tenor A tenor is a type of classical male singing voice whose vocal range lies between the countertenor and baritone voice types. It is the highest male chest voice type. The tenor's vocal range extends up to C5. The low extreme for tenors i ...

Early years

Slovtsov was born in the village of Ustyanskoye in

Yeniseysk Governorate Yeniseysk Governorate (russian: Енисе́йская губе́рния) was a governorate ('' guberniya'') of the Russian Empire and later of the Russian Republic, Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic in 1822-1925. General inf ...

of the

Russian Empire The Russian Empire was an empire and the final period of the List of Russian monarchs, Russian monarchy from 1721 to 1917, ruling across large parts of Eurasia. It succeeded the Tsardom of Russia following the Treaty of Nystad, which ended th ...

, to the family of a

deacon A deacon is a member of the diaconate, an office in Christian churches that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions. Major Christian churches, such as the Catholic Chur ...

. His father died when the boy was five, and the mother re-located with Pyotr to

Krasnoyarsk Krasnoyarsk ( ; rus, Красноя́рск, a=Ru-Красноярск2.ogg, p=krəsnɐˈjarsk) (in semantic translation - Red Ravine City) is the largest city and administrative center of Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia. It is situated along the Yen ...

. According to family tradition, the boy attended an

ecclesiastical {{Short pages monitor making him worthy of the traditions of tenor

Nikolay Figner Nikolay Figner (1857–1918), lyric tenor, and Medea Figner (1859–1952), mezzo-soprano, later soprano, were a husband-and-wife team of opera singers active in Russia between 1889 and 1904. Medea was Italian-born (her original surname was Mei) ...

, who combined musical, vocal and stage skills in a harmonious performance of opera art.

Repertoire

Notwithstanding the technical imperfections of the recordings he made, one can tell that the voice of Peter Slovtzov was naturally rich and attractive, of mellow timbre, clear and unique in its strength yet velvet sounding.

Feodor Chaliapin Feodor Ivanovich Chaliapin ( rus, Фёдор Ива́нович Шаля́пин, Fyodor Ivanovich Shalyapin, ˈfʲɵdər ɪˈvanəvʲɪtɕ ʂɐˈlʲapʲɪn}; April 12, 1938) was a Russian opera singer. Possessing a deep and expressive bass v ...

highly appreciated his talent, and they sang together in the operas ''Prince Igor'', ''Rusalka'', ''Faust'', '' Mozart and Salieri'' and ''

The Barber of Seville ''The Barber of Seville, or The Useless Precaution'' ( it, Il barbiere di Siviglia, ossia L'inutile precauzione ) is an '' opera buffa'' in two acts composed by Gioachino Rossini with an Italian libretto by Cesare Sterbini. The libretto was b ...

''. For long years the bosom friendship connected Slovtzov with well-known masters of drama as Leonid Sobinov,

Nadezhda Obukhova Nadezhda Andreyevna Obukhova (russian: Наде́жда Андре́евна Обу́хова, 1886–1961) was a Russian mezzo-soprano. She was awarded the title People’s Artist of the USSR in 1937. Pianist Heinrich Neuhaus said that "he who ...

, Vasili Kachalov and

Antonina Nezhdanova Antonina Vasilyevna Nezhdanova (russian: Антони́на Васи́льевна Нежда́нова, – 26 June 1950), was a Russian and Soviet coloratura soprano. Nezhdanova was born in , near Odesa, Ukraine, then in the Russian Empire ...

. Many newspapers and journals at that time highly appreciated Slovtzov's talent: "Slovtzov has a wonderful school. His voice, though of mellow timbre, impeccably obeys to its master." His best roles included Vladimir Igorevich (''Prince Igor'',

Alexander Borodin Alexander Porfiryevich Borodin ( rus, link=no, Александр Порфирьевич Бородин, Aleksandr Porfir’yevich Borodin , p=ɐlʲɪkˈsandr pɐrˈfʲi rʲjɪvʲɪtɕ bərɐˈdʲin, a=RU-Alexander Porfiryevich Borodin.ogg, ...

), the Prince (''Rusalka'',

Alexander Dargomyzhsky Alexander Sergeyevich Dargomyzhsky ( rus, link=no, Александр Сергеевич Даргомыжский, Aleksandr Sergeyevich Dargomyzhskiy., ɐlʲɪkˈsandr sʲɪrˈɡʲe(j)ɪvʲɪdʑ dərɡɐˈmɨʂskʲɪj, Ru-Aleksandr-Sergeevich- ...

), Vladimir Dubrovsky ('' Dubrovsky'',

Eduard Nápravník Eduard Francevič Nápravník ( Russian: Эдуа́рд Фра́нцевич Напра́вник; 24 August 1839 – 10 November 1916) was a Czech conductor and composer. Nápravník settled in Russia and is best known for his leading role in R ...

), the Indian visitor ('' Sadko'',

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov Nikolai Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov . At the time, his name was spelled Николай Андреевичъ Римскій-Корсаковъ. la, Nicolaus Andreae filius Rimskij-Korsakov. The composer romanized his name as ''Nicolas Rimsk ...

), Tsar Berendey (''

The Snow Maiden ''The Snow Maiden'' (subtitle: A Spring Fairy Tale) ( rus, Снегурочка–весенняя сказка, Snegúrochka–vesénnyaya skázka, italic=yes ) is an opera in four acts with a prologue by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, composed ...

'', Rimsky-Korsakov), Mozart (''Mozart and Salieri'', Rimsky-Korsakov), Lensky (''Eugene Onegin'',

Pyotr Tchaikovsky Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky , group=n ( ; 7 May 1840 – 6 November 1893) was a Russian composer of the Romantic period. He was the first Russian composer whose music would make a lasting impression internationally. He wrote some of the most pop ...

, in 1915), Count Almaviva (''The Barber of Seville'',

Gioachino Rossini Gioachino Antonio Rossini (29 February 1792 – 13 November 1868) was an Italian composer who gained fame for his 39 operas, although he also wrote many songs, some chamber music and piano pieces, and some sacred music. He set new standards f ...

), Alfred (''

La traviata ''La traviata'' (; ''The Fallen Woman'') is an opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi set to an Italian libretto by Francesco Maria Piave. It is based on '' La Dame aux camélias'' (1852), a play by Alexandre Dumas ''fils'' adapted from his o ...

'', Giuseppe Verdi), Faust (''Faust'',

Charles Gounod Charles-François Gounod (; ; 17 June 181818 October 1893), usually known as Charles Gounod, was a French composer. He wrote twelve operas, of which the most popular has always been '' Faust'' (1859); his '' Roméo et Juliette'' (1867) also rema ...

), Romeo (''Romeo et Juliette'', Gounod), Nadir (''

The Pearl Fishers ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in ...

'',

Georges Bizet Georges Bizet (; 25 October 18383 June 1875) was a French composer of the Romantic era. Best known for his operas in a career cut short by his early death, Bizet achieved few successes before his final work, '' Carmen'', which has become ...

), Dzherald (''

Lakmé ''Lakmé'' is an opera in three acts by Léo Delibes to a French libretto by Edmond Gondinet and Philippe Gille. The score, written from 1881 to 1882, was first performed on 14 April 1883 by the Opéra-Comique at the (second) Salle Favart ...

'', Leo Delibes). Other roles he sang included Vasya ('' The Power of the Fiend'',

Alexander Serov Alexander Nikolayevich Serov (russian: Алекса́ндр Никола́евич Серо́в, Saint Petersburg, – Saint Petersburg, ) was a Russian composer and music critic. He is notable as one of the most important music critics i ...

); the Duke (''

Rigoletto ''Rigoletto'' is an opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi. The Italian libretto was written by Francesco Maria Piave based on the 1832 play ''Le roi s'amuse'' by Victor Hugo. Despite serious initial problems with the Austrian censors who had cont ...

'', Giuseppe Verdi) and Lohengrin (''

Lohengrin Lohengrin () is a character in German Arthurian literature. The son of Parzival (Percival), he is a knight of the Holy Grail sent in a boat pulled by swans to rescue a maiden who can never ask his identity. His story, which first appears in Wolf ...

Richard Wagner Wilhelm Richard Wagner ( ; ; 22 May 181313 February 1883) was a German composer, theatre director, polemicist, and conductor who is chiefly known for his operas (or, as some of his mature works were later known, "music dramas"). Unlike most o ...

). Partners on stage included A. M. Bragin, R. G. Gorskaja, L. Lipkovskaja, V. Sokovnin,

(in

Bolshoi Theatre The Bolshoi Theatre ( rus, Большо́й теа́тр, r=Bol'shoy teatr, literally "Big Theater", p=bɐlʲˈʂoj tʲɪˈatər) is a historic theatre in Moscow, Russia, originally designed by architect Joseph Bové, which holds ballet and op ...

, in ''Traviata'' by Verdi, 1928), V. K. Pavlovskaya and M. O. Reizen (in ''Rusalka''), Feodor Chaliapin (in operas ''Rusalka'', ''Prince Igor'', ''Mozart and Salieri'', ''Faust'', ''The Barber of Seville''; the singer presented to Slovtsov a photo dated 31 December 1915 with an inscription: "With kind memories and warm wishes for success in the art world"). Conductors Slovtsov sang under included

Mark Golinkin Mark may refer to: Currency * Bosnia and Herzegovina convertible mark, the currency of Bosnia and Herzegovina * East German mark, the currency of the German Democratic Republic * Estonian mark, the currency of Estonia between 1918 and 1927 * Fi ...

(1875–1963), Abram Markson, Ariy Pazovsky, etc.

Career as director and teacher

Slovtsov was also a talented director and a vocal coach. He was not tall, a bit plump with an open Russian face. He attracted people with his simple-heartedness. Organizing abilities helped Slovtsov to unite talented people around him. In Krasnoyarsk (Siberia) he organized the vocal school for the People’s Conservatory, Worker’s Opera and society "Music for the Masses". He staged 14 operas in Krasnoyarsk. In 1928 Slovtsov was invited by professor of solo singing in

Russian Academy of Theatre Arts The Russian Institute of Theatre Arts (GITIS) (russian: Российский институт театрального искусства – ГИТИС) is the largest and oldest independent theatrical arts school in Russia. Located in Moscow, ...

. During 22 years of his creative activity Slovtsov gave two thousand concerts.

Marriage

His wife, Margarita N. Rioly, was a lyrico-dramatic soprano and also an opera singer. She had studied solo singing at the Moscow Conservatory under V.M. Zarudnaya-Ivanova, and graduated a year earlier than Slovtzov. Rioly was not only a talented singer, but also a remarkable teacher of singing. But most of all she loved the opera stage and performed leading roles on opera stages of Tiflis, Kharkov (1913), Ekaterinburg (1915–1916), Petrograd ( Narodny Dom), Tomsk, Irkutsk and Krasnoyarsk. In 1915 M. Rioly married P.I. Slovtzov and from that time they cooperated in concert activity and performed together on opera stages. Margarita N. Rioly was also an excellent pianist, so became Slovtzov’s favourite accompanist. Gorkogo-11

In 1934, Slovtsov caught cold while performing on his tour in one of the city of Soviet Union and soon died. His monument of white marble is located in Pokrovsky cemetery in Krasnoyarsk. The words engraved on the monument are from opera

Werther ''Werther'' is an opera (''drame lyrique'') in four acts by Jules Massenet to a French libretto by Édouard Blau, Paul Milliet and Georges Hartmann (who used the pseudonym Henri Grémont). It is loosely based on Goethe's epistolary novel ''T ...

: "Why awaken me, O breath of Spring?". Margarita Nikolaevna Rioli-Slovtsova continued teaching for another twenty years in Krasnoyarsk. Among the students of Margarita Nikolaevna - E. K. Iofel, who later became a professor and teacher and Dmitry Hvorostovsky - the world famous baritone.

Memorial events

To mark the 120th anniversary of his birth, The Central Museum of Musical Culture by M.I. Glinka published a CD of 26 songs and arias recorded by Slovtsov before 1917. This CD was presented in the 42nd Exhibition MIDEM, 2008 in

Cannes Cannes ( , , ; oc, Canas) is a city located on the French Riviera. It is a commune located in the Alpes-Maritimes department, and host city of the annual Cannes Film Festival, Midem, and Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. The ci ...

. That same year broadcasts about the tenor were made by ''National radio'', ''RtV-Podmoskovie'', '' Radio Rossii'' and ''

Radio Maria Radio Maria (formally known as The World Family of Radio Maria; es, link=no, Radio María, pt, Rádio Maria, hr, Radio Marija, mt, Radju Marija, lt, Marijos Radijas, hu, Mária Rádió, russian: Радио Мария, uk, Радіо Ма� ...

''; and in the USA, Marston Records released a CD "Pyotr Ivanovich Slovtsov. The Russian tenor" mastered by the

Grammy Award The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pre ...

-winning engineer Ward Marston. On 10 October 2010 Radio Rossii made a 44-minute broadcast about Slovtsov. From February till April 2011 in Krasnoyarsk has passed festiva
"Parade of stars in opera"
devoted to the 125 anniversary from the date of a birth of the singer.

Sources

* Broadcast about Slovtsov
The list of the disks which have been let out by a sound department of the Glinka state central museum of musical culture. Moscow 2007. P. 3. Disk "Peter Slovtzov-the Siberian nightingale" Aron Proujanski. Native singer. 1750—1917: Dictionary. — Pub. 2nd . — Moscow, 2008.
* Sergey Rychkov
"Сибирский соловей – тенор Пётр Словцов"
(The Siberian Nightingale - Tenor Pyotr Slovtsov), ''Ямальский меридиан'', 1 (265), 2010, pp. 76–81 *Marston Records

USA.
Note by Alan Bilgora. Treasures of the St. Petersburg State Museum
* Mariya Kurenko and Pyotr Slovtsov.

. The duet of Violetta Valéry and Alfredo Germont. 1913.
Vladimir's aria. Op. "Dubrovsky", record of 1929 accompanied by orchestra of the Bolshoi theatre

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Slovtsov, Pyotr 1886 births 1934 deaths People from Yeniseysk Governorate Russian operatic tenors Vocal coaches 20th-century Russian male opera singers Moscow Conservatory alumni Tenors