| (1905-1995) Russian opera contralto
She began her studies at the Odessa National Conservatory, transferring to the Kiev Conservatory where she studied with Elena Murayova graduating in 1926. From 1926 to 1929 she was a soloist of the Kharkov Opera. In 1929 she was offered a contract by the Bolshoi, where she sung until 1953, also performing concerts and recitals. From 1963 until late in her life she taught at the People’s Singing School in Moscow.
She was admired for her powerful contralto voice which was flexible from end to end giving her the ability to sing both the lower register roles, as well as the lighter mezzo roles. She was also considered to be a fine actress. Her signature role was Ratmir in "Ruslan and Lyudmila". Her parts included, Vanya in "Ivan Susanin", the title role of "Carmen", Azucena in "Il Trovatore", Konchakova in "Prince Igor", Nezhata in "Sadko", Lyubasha in "The Tsar’s Bride", Olga in "Yevgeny Onegin", the Countess in "The Queen of Spades", the Old Gypsy in "Aleko", Aksinya in "Katerina Izmailova", Fyodor in "Boris Godunov" and Ningal-Umi in "Zagmuk". Her rendition of the Old Gypsy can be seen in the Soviet film of the opera "Aleko".
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