The fate of the singer Yulia Fedorovna Platonova (1841-1892) is an example of the struggle for ideals and devotional service to art. This woman was a soloist of the Mariinsky Theater and a companion-in-arms of composers of the Mighty Handful, and stood at the origins of the national Russian opera. Platonova was not afraid to defend the values of domestic culture in the era when Western subjects and performances reigned on the stage. The life and work of Yulia Fedorovna is an important episode in the history of Russian art.
Childhood and education
Julia Fedorovna Garder (stage name - Platonova) - opera and chamber singer, teacher, popularizer of Russian opera art. She was born in Riga in 1841.
Since childhood, the singer has shown the ability to music. At the gymnasium, Julia studied piano and established herself as a talented pianist. After graduating from school, the girl for 2 years she studied in the Mitau Musical Society under the supervision of Director Postel. With the filing of a mentor, Julia began to pay more attention to the development of voice.
Platonova moved from the western provinces to St. Petersburg to continue her studies and become a professional opera singer. The future soloist's teacher was the conductor, composer and music teacher N.F. Vitararo. Julia successfully completed the course.
Opera career
The debut on the stage took place in August 1863. Platonova acted as Antonida from the opera "Life for the Tsar" M.I. Glinka was a great success with the public. After the premiere performance, Julia Fedorovna joined the troupe of the Mariinsky Theater.
The singer's voice sounded soft, had a wide range, but did not differ in strength. The merits of Yulia Fedorovna were manifested in parties that required a strong acting game.
Platonov-opera singer was formed under the influence of A. Dargomyzhsky. In 1865, the composer helped her prepare Natasha’s part from the opera The Mermaid. Dargomyzhsky called Yulia Fedorovna the best performer of this party, noting not only her voice, but also the dramatic talent of the artist.
At the beginning of her career, the problem of Julia Fedorovna was a German accent, giving out the origin of Platonova from the western provinces of the Russian Empire. The beginning singer quickly got rid of the lack, and her repertoire was replenished with the heroines of Russian operas. Many productions were written at the same time, in the 1860-70s, the era of the rise of national music. Yulia Fedorovna was the first to play Katerina in the opera Storm, Olga in the Pskovityanka.
Platonova’s repertoire exceeded 50 roles in the works of Russian and European composers. As a soloist at the Mariinsky Theater, Yulia Fedorovna often performed up to 3-4 times a week in complex parties such as Olga Tokmakova or Antonida. The star parts of the singer were Donna Anna in “Stone Guest”, Lyudmila in “Ruslan and Lyudmila”, Elizabeth in “Tannhäuser”.
Defender of Boris Godunov
"Boris Godunov" M.P. Mussorgsky is an opera with a difficult fate. The work corresponded several times, the theater management refused the composer to stage production. It is thanks to Yu.F. For the first time, the Platonic public was able to see and hear the work of Mussorgsky.
In 1874, Platonova was at the peak of fame. Being a big fan of M.P. Mussorgsky, she risked the position of a star and got the Boris Godunov show at the theater administration. Julia Fedorovna herself performed in the party of Marina Mnishek. For the singer, the evening was a triumph; "Boris Godunov" liked the public and began a long journey to world recognition.
Concert activity
In 1876, Julia Fedorovna left the opera stage. She continued to perform as a chamber singer, participated in free public productions of works by Beethoven, F. Liszt, R. Schumann.
In 1877, Platonova toured Dresden. In Europe, Julia Fyodorovna sang romances of Russian composers from the group "The Mighty Handful", and also studied approaches to teaching vocal skills.
In the same year, the last chamber concert of Platonova took place. At the farewell party of the singer was attended by M.P. Mussorgsky.
Educational activities
Leaving the scene, Julia Fedorovna took up teaching vocal skills and popularizing opera music. Platonova established a private school of singing, from the walls of which outstanding performers came out.
One of the students of Yulia Fedorovna is Maria Olenina d'Alheim, the author of a book about M.P. Mussorgsky and the founder of the Russian school of chamber music.
Since 1881, Platonova taught at publicly accessible music classes organized by the Pedagogical Museum in St. Petersburg. Yulia Fedorovna, along with her students, staged free opera performances.
The singer died in 1892 and was buried in the Smolensk cemetery in St. Petersburg.
Personal life
The singer’s husband was the Russian captain Tvanev. In life, Platonov bore the name of her husband. After the death of Tvanev in 1876, Julia Fedorovna decided to end the career of an opera singer.
Platonov was on friendly terms with the composers of the Mighty Kuchka and A. N. Serov. The authors of the romances M.P. Mussorgsky and N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov often accompanied Platonova at chamber concerts.
