Chaliapin, Feodor Ivanovich, << shah LYAH pihn, FYAW dor ih VAH nuh vihch >> (1873-1938), a Russian opera singer, became a leading interpreter of bass roles in Russian, French, and Italian opera. Many believe that Chaliapin’s characterizations of Boris Godunov and Mephistopheles have never been equaled. He was a singing actor of striking originality and unique force.
Chaliapin was born on Feb. 13, 1873, of peasant parents in Kazan. He had little musical training before joining a small-town opera company in 1890. He won attention singing at the Imperial Opera in St. Petersburg, Russia, and as a member of Savva I. Mamontov’s opera troupe in Moscow. Chaliapin sang for the first time outside Russia at La Scala in Milan, Italy, in 1901. He appeared in the United States for the first time in 1907, with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Chalpiapin died on April 12, 1938.
