Obituary: Bolshoi Bass Alexander Vedernikov Dies At 91

By Francisco Salazar

The Bolshoi Theatre has announced the death of Alexander Vedernikov.

The company announced that the bass died at the age of 90 after being a household name with the company throughout the second half of the 20th century.

Throughout his career the bass won numerous awards including the World Festival of Youth and Students (2nd Prize, 1953), the Robert Schumann International Competition for Pianists and Singers (1956), the All-Union competition for the execution of works by Soviet composers (1st prize, 1956), and was honored as Artist of the RSFSR (1961), People’s Artist of the RSFSR (1967), USSR State Prize (1969) and People’s Artist of the USSR (1976).

Vedernikov made his début at the Bolshoi in 1957, as Ivan Susanin in Glinka’s “A Life for the Tsar” and went on to sing in Moscow, Leningrad, Kiev, and Tbilisi. Among his major roles included Dosifey in “Khovanshchina,” Konchak in “Prince Igor” and the title role in “Boris Godunov.” As a member of the Bolshoi Theatre, he performed in Milan, Paris, and New York.

He is survived by his son, also Alexander Vedernikov, who is soon to be the chief conductor of the Royal Danish Opera.

Here is a clip of the legendary bass:

 

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