Soviet and then Russian viewers for 35 years received the basics of musical knowledge from the program "Musical Kiosk", the irreplaceable author and host of which was a wonderful woman Eleonora Belyaeva (née Matveeva). Her difficult fate, extraordinary personality and enormous contribution to Russian art did not remain unappreciated and deserved truly nationwide recognition.
Origins
The delicate aristocracy, sonorous name and rich erudition of the presenter did not even allow us to assume that she came from the Voronezh village of Ramon. But it was precisely in such post-war families, living in the most difficult conditions in the "outback," that true Soviet intellectuals were brought up. In the family of a serviceman, the daughter received not only a strict upbringing, but also a love for music instilled by her mother, and a piano class at the Voronezh School of Music and a diploma with honors from the Voronezh School of Music allowed her to enter the capital's Gnesinka for a vocal course from the first round. It seemed that the career of the future singer was guaranteed.
Ups and downs
The brilliant start of life in the capital suddenly turned into difficult trials: a divorce from his first spouse, a famous accordion player, the need to provide life for himself and his little daughter were not easy in themselves. But the loss of her voice was a real disaster for Eleanor Valerianovna. The coloratura soprano delivered to her turned out to be fatally mistaken, and by the time it became clear that her voice needed to be developed in the lyrical range, it was already too late.
At this moment, the hardened character of Belyaeva fully manifested itself. She did not leave the capital, did not become discouraged, filling her life to the brim with any work she could find, up to private music lessons and writing sheet music.
And Fortuna, this time in the form of a former classmate Vladimir Fedoseyev, gave her a new chance. He brought Eleanor to television. The young woman became the editor of television programs of the musical direction - mass genres, then folk and classical music. Her leader and teacher on TV was Nina Aleksandrovna Zotova, who taught the basics of the profession.
A lifelong project
The Musical Kiosk broadcast was organized as part of the addition to the Blue Light, a project by Alexei Gabrilovich, which had already gained popularity by 1960. The first to present the new program were Larisa Golubkina, already famous in the famous "Hussar Ballad", and a young handsome man and a favorite of the public, Alexander Shirvindt. Eleonora Belyaeva got into the chair of the presenter six months later as a temporary substitute, during the illness of a full-time employee. But it turned out - for the rest of his life.
Half an hour of perfection
Half an hour on Soviet television - it is difficult today to explain how difficult it is, when not only the intrigues of ill-wishers, but even an elementary slip of the tongue, the slightest oversight could end in dismissal.
The combination of amazing soft femininity with an iron character, deep knowledge and the highest exactingness towards herself helped Eleonora Belyaeva to create not just an educational program, but a real musicology course that found its audience in all strata and age groups of society. Endowed by nature with an outstanding and bright classic appearance, Eleonora Belyaeva skillfully used the entire women's arsenal, from cosmetics to brooches and scarves, managing to create an elegant secular image and give it depth and charm. She was helped in this by the novelties of the Burda magazine, the ability to masterfully use ordinary things in unexpected variations and innate taste and sense of proportion. We had to deal with unexpected prohibitions and restrictions - for example, on programs about Rachmaninov or Chaliapin, which “stained” themselves with emigration and were included in the list of “not recommended”. There were also incidents when the finished programs had to be rewritten because of the "inappropriate" trouser suit of the host or the too expensive fur coat of the program participant:
But the talent and erudition of Belyaeva invariably helped to overcome all the difficulties of the profession. Eight years after the opening of the Musical Kiosk, Eleonora Valerievna's merits in the development of national culture were highly appreciated - she became a laureate of the prestigious Golden Pen of Russia award. In 1982, Eleonora Valerianovna was awarded the title "Honored Artist of the RSFSR". Film directors captured her wonderful image on the screen in their works, inviting them to appear in episodes - for example, in the sensational film "The Woman Who Sings". But the restraint and non-ambition accompanying true, unseen intelligence did not allow her to continue her career as an actress.
Sunset
The collapse of the Soviet Union and the arrival of new market relations in art did not immediately ruin the program, beloved by millions of people. In 1992, Belyaeva managed to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Musical Kiosk. Alexander Shirvindt also took part in the anniversary edition. But in 1995, the program was nevertheless closed as unprofitable, despite the outrage and protests of a huge number of TV viewers.
After the closure of the program, Belyaeva appeared for some time as the host of television forums, but, apparently, this work no longer brought satisfaction. She also did not welcome the attempts of the media to penetrate the vicissitudes of her personal life.
Eleanor Belyaeva passed away on April 20, 2015, at the age of 80. Her final resting place was the Kotlyarevskoye cemetery in Moscow. On the last journey, Eleonora Valerievna Belyaeva was accompanied by her daughter from her first marriage, Maria, granddaughter Nastya, former husband Anatoly Belyaev and an inner circle of friends.
