Sergei Lemeshev
Soviet tenor famed for his lyrical voice and Lensky role.
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Sergei Yakovlevich Lemeshev was a Soviet and Russian opera singer and director, known for his lyrical tenor voice and his long career at the Bolshoi Theatre. He became a national idol in the USSR, admired for his performances in Russian and French operatic roles, as well as for his concert singing of folk songs and romances.
- born
- 10 July [O.S. 27 June] 1902
- field
- Opera singer and director
- nationality
- Soviet and Russian
- known_for
- Lyrical tenor, signature role as Lensky in Eugene Onegin, Bolshoi Theatre solois
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Lemeshev was born into a peasant family; his father wanted him to become a cobbler. After leaving parish school in 1914, he was sent to Saint Petersburg to train as a shoemaker. He performed in theatres of Sverdlovsk, Harbin, and Tbilisi from 1926 to 1931. In 1931 Lemeshev was invited to the Bolshoi Theatre, made his debut, and became its soloist. His prime years were from 1931 to 1942. During the Great Patriotic War, he caught a severe cold that led to pneumonia, pleurisy, and tuberculosis of the right lung. He was treated with artificial pneumothorax and continued to sing with one lung from 1942 to 1948, when the other lung was also collapsed and re-inflated. He recorded several operas during that period. He was a leading tenor at the Bolshoi until 1956, alongside rival Ivan Kozlovsky.
Reader's Guide
Lemeshev's significance lies in his status as a beloved national singer in the Soviet Union, whose lyrical tenor and acting skills inspired a devoted fan following known as 'lemeshistki.' His repertoire centered on Russian works, with notable French and some Italian and German pieces, almost all performed in Russian. His legacy endures through recordings and his influence on Russian operatic tradition.
Did You Know?
- During the Great Patriotic War, he caught a severe cold that led to pneumonia, pleurisy, and tuberculosis of the right lung, and he continued to sing with one lung from 1942 to 1948.
- His devoted fan following was known as 'lemeshistki.'
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sergei Lemeshev?
Sergei Yakovlevich Lemeshev (1902–1955) was a Soviet and Russian opera singer and director celebrated for his warm, lyrical tenor. He spent the bulk of his career as a soloist at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow and became one of the USSR's most beloved stage artists.
What is Sergei Lemeshev's signature role?
Lemeshev is most closely associated with the part of Lensky in Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin, a role he performed so many times at the Bolshoi that it became virtually synonymous with his name. His interpretation of the young, heartbroken poet is still cited as a benchmark for the role.
Where did Sergei Lemeshev perform?
He was a principal soloist at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow for the majority of his professional life, appearing in both Russian and French operatic repertory. He also gave widely attended concerts of Russian folk songs and romantic arias across the Soviet Union.
Why was Sergei Lemeshev considered a national idol?
His combination of a naturally beautiful lyric tenor, impeccable stage presence, and dedication to the Russian operatic tradition made him a household name during the Soviet era. Audiences and critics alike regarded him as the definitive interpreter of roles like Lensky and the Duke in Rigoletto.
What genres beyond opera did Sergei Lemeshev sing?
In addition to his operatic work, Lemeshev was a popular concert artist who specialized in Russian folk songs and Romantic-era arias. His recital repertoire brought him to audiences who might never attend a full-length opera, broadening his appeal enormously.
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