Letters to the Editor

Notes on Shalyapin

To the Editors:

Regarding your fine article on Fyodor Shalyapin, I read it twice to refresh my memory on his voice, thinking I may have missed something. When I failed to find what I was looking for I went to my encyclopedia to confirm that he was a basso.

Shame on you! The fact that Shalyapin sang bass should certainly have been included in such a thorough article about the man, whose 78-speed recordings I affectionately recall from my youth.

I loved your piece, however, and many thanks.

Sincerely,

Douglas Freelander

Houston, TX

Dog Fancy

To the Editors:

As a long time subscriber to Soviet Life, I wish to commend your efforts to keep this  nice magazine alive and attractive.

Your cover {RL, February 1998} with the picture of the attractive athlete, Yelena [Vyalbe], also showed a very nice looking dog. Is he/she perhaps a relative of my Keeshond or perhaps a cousin such as the Norwegian Elkhound? Both make very nice family pets.

Any further notes on Svetlana, the female fighter pilot? {RL, March 1997} I still think she would be a great one for a goodwill tour to the US and I don’t think funding would be difficult considering the number of female pilots in this country.

Yours,

L.S. Moore

Naples, FL

Dr. Moore:

Yelena Vyalbe was unavailable for questioning about the breed of her dog. The photographer, Andrei Golovanov, did relate, however, that, during the photo shoot, Vyalbe’s dog took a healthy bite out of his winter coat. Not only is this breed a good family pet, but apparently it also has a healthy skepticism about members of the press.

We are not in direct contact with Svetlana Protasova, but you can write to her via Sergei Yegorich Babichev, ul. Pleshcheeva, dom 26, kv. 85, 127560 Moscow, Russia. He has promised to pass on any letters.

– The Editors

Suzdal and Savina

To the Editors:

Having just come back from visiting Russia in the Suzdal region, I enjoyed your article on it very much. The only thing about it that I didn’t agree with was the slightly condescending reference to its Tourist Complex as having “all the charm of a run-down Soviet era komplex” – when all it needs to be perfect is more tourists.

Having stayed there and enjoyed its relaxing atmosphere as one of the highlights of my trip, I took away a more favorable impression  .... an added bonus of the place was the memory of the impression made by the enormous, noisy flock of resident birds circling at dusk from the high pitched roof they claimed as their roost each night. I had never seen anything like that – it was unforgettable!

Sincerely,

Nadine Karnow

Meadowbrook, PA

p.s. also on the trip I found the enclosed photo-postcard of the 19th century actress Savina ... [I] would like to find information about her life ... the vendor at the stall in Petersburg where I found the card even referred to her as “the great Savina” as I read it to myself!

Nadine:

Maria Gavrilovna Savina (1854-1915) was indeed one of the great Russian actresses of her time. She made her debut on the St. Petersburg stage in 1874. She was known for her very intense characterizations and was one of the organizers of the Russian Theatrical Society (1883-4). In 1896 she founded a home for retired actors in St. Petersburg, which now goes by the name of the House for Veterans of the Stage named for Savina.

Savior Cathedral

To the Editors:

I’ve been a faithful subscriber to Russian Life and to the Soviet Life for longer than I can remember. In fact, my collection goes back for years.

Now I need a favor. I’m looking to see if I can find a video of the construction of Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow. So far, no luck. Could you suggest any source? The articles in Russian Life have been too limited for me and I would prefer wider coverage. I would appreciate any help you can offer.

Finally, I have patronized some of your advertisers and have found them most cooperative. I have recommended them to my friends and will be patronizing them again. Thanks for your interest.

Sincerely,

Theodore Shlanta

Blue Vernon, PA

Theodore:

We have asked at the sources we know of, and find no evidence of any such video available in the US, although perhaps a reader will be able to suggest something. Russian Life will feature a story on the Cathedral in future, as the interior restorations come closer to completion.

– The Editors

ERRATA: In our March issue, we mistakenly switched the photos of Miss-MGU and Miss-Russia 1997. Also, the former photo was improperly credited; it was taken by Roman Denisov. Finally, a photo of the artist Alexander Shilov was improperly captioned. Our apologies.

– The Editors