"Blessed is he who visited this world in its fateful moments." The lines of the famous Russian poet come to mind when the conversation comes about the life and work of Yuri Spiridonovich Morfessi. It fell to this man to live and work in the first half of the 20th century. In those years when revolutions shook great states, and millions of human lives were burned in the crucible of wars.
Yuri Spiridonovich Morfessi could rightfully represent himself as lines from the comic song "I come from Odessa, hello." It was in this city that his family lived and the career of the beloved singer began. At the end of the 19th century, a large diaspora of immigrants from Greece lived in the southern provinces of the Russian Empire. One of the local lawyers with a characteristic surname had three children, including the boy Yura.
Studying at the gypsy faculty
The biography of a well-known performer of folk songs and classical romances began in the literal sense of the word on one of the streets of Odessa. As a student at the gymnasium, Yura accidentally caught the eye of the entrepreneur of the local opera house. Vivid vocal skills made a corresponding impression on the artistic director of this institution, and the young talent was accepted into the troupe without any formalities or conventions. It is important to note that working on the opera stage requires not only talent, but also an appropriate education.
The situation was complicated by the fact that the Morfessi family lost their father when Yuri was not yet ten years old. The financial situation of relatives and friends left much to be desired. After some deliberation, the young singer moved to Rostov-on-Don and began performing in a group of pop singers popular at that time. After a short period of time, rumors about talented performers reach the capital. Critics of the time enthusiastically noted the magnificent performance of gypsy romances, which were at the height of fashion.
Already the famous performer Morfessi records and releases records in huge editions. The voice with a velvet timbre was heard by the inhabitants of the most remote corners of the great country. Each snow-covered village had at least one gramophone. And people gathered around this "apparatus" to join the high art. The singer's contribution to the education of the masses can hardly be overestimated. Yuri performed many gypsy songs in the original language. The most "higher" education he received in the works and tours around the country.
Homesickness
It so happened that Yuri Morfessi left the Russian coast along with the remnants of the White Army. There is no particular need to talk about how a talented person felt far from his native soil. Yes, the creativity continued. Fees were paid. The audience of admirers, although decreased, but remained stable. And even personal life took shape at first. It is interesting to note that the singer's wife Valentina Lozovskaya recently served in the white army as a machine gunner.
The husband did not cherish the soul in his Valechka. And the stronger the shock was when they suddenly parted. Of course, the singer never suffered from a lack of female attention. And in this case, the heart wound healed over time. However, this kind of injury leaves a mark for the rest of your life. Yuri became more often sad and irritated over trifles. Critics of our day sometimes wage a sluggish debate about Morfessi's contribution to Russian culture. And they do not find an unambiguous answer. Maybe it will take more time to objectively assess this person, this talent, his legacy.
