Pyotr Olenin |

Pyotr Olenin

In 1898-1900 he sang at the Mamontov Moscow Private Russian Opera, in 1900-03 he was a soloist at the Bolshoi Theater, in 1904-15 he performed at the Zimin Opera House, where he was also a director (since 1907 artistic director). In 1915-18 Olenin worked as a director at the Bolshoi Theatre, in 1918-22 at the Mariinsky Theatre. Among the roles are Boris Godunov, Pyotr in the opera The Enemy Power by Serov and others.

Olenin’s directing work made a significant contribution to the art of opera. He staged the world premiere of The Golden Cockerel (1909). Other productions include Wagner’s Nuremberg Meistersingers (1909), G. Charpentier’s Louise (1911), Puccini’s The Western Girl (1913, all for the first time on the Russian stage). Among the best works are also Boris Godunov (1908), Carmen (1908, with dialogues). All these performances were created by Zimin. At the Bolshoi Theater, Olenin staged the opera Don Carlos (1917, Chaliapin sang the part of Philip II). Olenin’s directing style is largely associated with the artistic principles of the Moscow Art Theater.

E. Tsodokov