Leonid Sobinov by Wesenberg

Leonid Sobinov (1872-1934); Russian tenor.

After obtaining a law degree at the university and fulfilling his military service, he started practicing law. During his studies he gained considerable singing expererience in a student choir, where he also appeared as a soloist. In 1891 he decided to strive for a professional singing career and he started vocal studies with Alexander Dodonov and Alexandra Santagano-Gortschakowa in Moscow. In 1894 he got his first engagement with an Italian Opera troupe that had performed in the Shelapoutinsky Theatre at Moscow. Here he appeared in comprimario roles under the name of Leo Sobonni. He had his first real success when in 1897 he sang the role of Prince Sinodal in Rubinstein's "The Demon" at the Bolshoi in Moscow. In 1902 he had a sensational success at the Mariinsky in St. Petersburg as Lenski in "Eugen Onegin". In the years to follow he had triumph after triumph in Moscow and St. Petersburg; he became the most idolized singer in Tsarist Russia. He also made guest appearances abroad in Milan, Monte Carlo, Paris, London, Berlin and Madrid. In 1910 he received from the Tsar the title of Imperial Court Singer. In 1917 he became a (stage) Director of the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.From 1918/21 he was detained because of the war and post-war events in southern Russia. During these years he sang in Kiev and Yalta and also performed at the Opera of Sofia. After 1921 he returned to a life of opera and concerts. In 1933 he celebrated his 35th anniversary with a gala performance at the Bolshoi Theatre.

On the photo he is seen as Lensky in Tchaikovsky's opera "Eugen Onegin".