Alexander Mikhailovich Dodonov is an outstanding opera and chamber singer, soloist of the Bolshoi Theater. He had an incredible talent as a singer and teacher.
Early years and passion for music
Alexander Mikhailovich Dodonov was born on February 12, 1837 in St. Petersburg into a wealthy family. From childhood, little Sasha was fond of music, especially singing. The Dodonov family was a believer, so Alexander was a soloist of the church choir since 1874, at the same time he also worked part-time at the post office. A little later, when Dodonov's vocal talents developed to a greater extent, he began to sing in a Catholic church, where he was heard by the famous Russian composer and pianist A. N. Rubinstein. A very famous musician at that time suggested that Alexander take up music more seriously. Undoubtedly, Dodonov accepted the offer, and Rubinstein brought Alexander together with the music teacher F. Ronconi.
Education and vocal career
For the next 2 years, starting in 1859, young Dodonov studied vocals with the famous Ronconi, the teacher was so impressed by the young musician that he recommended him as a soloist at the court of Princess Alexandra Pavlovna.
Later, the 24-year-old singer moved to Paris, where he improved his vocal skills with the musician Berzoni, after which he studied vocal in England, and 3 years later, in 1864, trained with Lamperti in Milan.
Alexander Dodonov was very attracted to Italy, so he stayed there for 2 years and continued to perform on stages not only in Milan, but also in Naples. During this time, Alexander flawlessly mastered the Italian language.
Dodonov returned to Russia only in 1867, 6 years after the start of his musical journey. First, Alexander performed at the Odessa Italian Opera, and a little later at the Kiev Russian Opera. In 1869 he accepted an offer to become a soloist of the Bolshoi Theater, which he stayed until 1891.
After leaving the Bolshoi Theater, Alexander Mikhailovich took the post of professor of singing at the Moscow Philharmonic School, while Dodonov managed to teach opera vocals in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Rostov-on-Don, Odessa and Kiev.
Creation
During his vocal career, Alexander Mikhailovia Dodonov performed a huge number of parts: Drunk Cossack (Mazepa), Ded Moroz (Snow Maiden), Yankel (Taras Bulba), Walter (Tannhäuser), Alfred (Triviat) and a lot others.
During his teaching career, the talented singer and teacher trained such outstanding musicians as B. Yevlakhov, M. Lvov, S. Ostroumov, D. Smirnov, S. Yudin, M. Romensky, L. Sobinov.
The great skill and talent of Alexander Mikhailovich, the great opera singer, admired the composites of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, he noted that "this artist has a pleasant diction and a great taste for phrasing." Undoubtedly, A. M. Dodonov made a great contribution to the art of opera singing.
