VLADIMIR SAMSONOV
Baritone, Soloist Mariinsky (Kirov) theater, Laureate of International competitions

Vladimir Samsonov was born in the capital of Moldavia the city of Kishinev on 28.02.63 in the family of a professional opera singer. At the age of 10 ten he, together with his parents, moves to Sevastopol, where he, consequently, made service in the Ensemble of the Song and the Dance of the Black Sea Fleet.

In 1985 he enter the Leningrad Conservatoire (S. Ryazantsev's class). Afterwards, he continued his vocal training under E.N.Gromova. In 1991 he successfully graduated from the conservatoire, and he became the diploma-winner of the "Russian bel canto revival" vocal competition. That same year V.Samsonov was invited to be engaged in the companies of the St. Petersburg theatres the one of the Music Theatre and the other one of the Musical Comedy Theatres.

The year of 1994 became a turning point for the young singer's destiny. This year he made a successful debut on the stage of the Mariinsky Theatre, performing the part of Dandiny in Rossini's "Cinderella". A month thereafter, he sang all the first night performances of "Figaro's marriage" the part of Earl of Almaviva, staged by the Mariinsky Theatre. In October of the same year V.Samsonov took the 1-st prize and the audience sympathy prize at the Mario Del Monaco International Vocal Competition held in Italy, receiving a high esteem from Paolo Montersolo and Luigi Alva, the competition jury members and leading vocal connoisseurs in the world. In January of 1995 he was invited by B.Rudenko, director of the opera to perform the part of Earl of Almaviva in Mozart's "Figaro's marriage" staged by the same Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. Refined vocal technique, superb acting and excellent mastery of Mozart's stylistics enabled the vocalist to gain the sympathy of Joahim Herz, the renowned German stage maker, and of Peter Ferenz, conductor, and, quite out of tradition for the Bolshoi Theatre, to obtain the honour to perform in the first night, although being a non-staff soloist of the theatre. Yet in two month's time he was re-invited by the Mariinsky Theatre for its staging of Rossini's "Seville's barber" to perform Figaro's part. Following the successful first night performance V. Samsonov participated in the Mariinsky Opera tour in Finland.

In May of 1996 he won the Grand Prix of the "Petersburg Engagement" International TV Festival. The same year he took part in Karetnikov's "The Apostle Paul's mystery" opera, performed in Russia for the 1-st time, and directed by V. Gergiev. And already at the end of the year he sang all the first night performances of the "Carmen" opera by J.Bizet, Staged by the Mariinsky Theatre with which the singer had been on tour to Japan in November of 1996.

Alogside with the Mariinsky Theatre, the young singer cooperates actively with the St.Petersburg Musical Comedy Theatre and with its manager, - A.A. Belinsky. His participation in such performances as: "Mr. X.", "Merry Widow" has always been a success, deserving respect for the audience. Chamber creative work of the singer has quite a broad range, - his repertoire includes more than 150 arias, romances and songs. His concerts are performed in the biggest halls of St.Petersburg and namely: the Bolshoi (big one) and Maly (small one) halls of the Philarmonia, the Capella etc.

The number of countries where V.Samsonov has been on tour exceeds 25.

Within the period since 1991 to 1997 he has been performing his concert programmes for listeners coming from Germany, Italy, France, Luxemburg, Norway and many other countries. Being invited by the S. Petersburg City Radio Broadcasting Network, the singer has record quite a number of arias, romances and songs together with the S. Petersburg Solovieyv-Sedoy orchestra, conducted by S.K.Gorcovenko. The recorded has been incorporated in the radio-broadcated transmissions devoted to the creative work of V.Samsonov. And with that same orchestra V.Samsonov was touring in Italy in August of 1995 where he was honoured to be one of the first to perform in the famous "Palazzo di Vechio" hall situated in Florence (Italy).

V. Samsonov has been lucky to work with such well-known performers and conductors as: V.Gergiev, A.Polyanichko, V.Rylov, P.Feranets, D.Nozeda, S.Gorcovenko, E.Obraztsova, O.Borodina, Yu.Marusin, K.Pluzhnikov, G.Seleznev, V.Ognovenko, V.Verestnikov and others.

REVIEWS

"Evening Moscow" about fist night performance Bolshoi Theatre "Figaro's marriage" (March 11, 1995)
"...The voices were carried surprisingly naturally to the hall, and the nuances of the quiet singing and the delicate coloraturas sounded with distinctiveness and charm. And that is, above all, attributed to the merit of the performers. V.Samsonov creates an unforgettable image of the Earl of Almaviva who is in love with all the women simultaneously. Imposed with an unlimited power, he remains to be within the bounds of the one who takes great care not to hurt the feelings of others, and thus, he bewitches everybody with his splendid manners and the fascinating voice".
Elena Dolinskaya

"St.Petersburg News" about fist night performance Mariinsky Theatre "Figaro's marriage" (April 20, 1994)
"...The application of new forces has conveyed to the performance a great deal of freshness and fascination. Here, for example, Vladimir Samsonov in the Earl's natural part, - the owner of a beautiful and light bariton and, at the same time, of good-looking outwardness of lyrical type".
Michail Byalik

"Mariinsky Theatre" about fist night performance "Seville's barber" (February 1996)
"...V.Samsonov has made up a colourful contrast, playing the part of Figaro. He has got everything for this one, the most delicate part: a rich and plastic (easily shaped) voice, an imposing appearance, stage liveliness, inner energy and assertiveness... The striking delicacy towards petty intonation nuances, the organic unity of the intonation with gestures, the intangible sense of the partner, - all this has enabled V.Samsonov to become a brilliant Figaro. The entrance part performed freshly and artistically, the lightness and the intonation spectacular display when making the recitals..."
A. Chepurov

"Smena" ("Shift") about fist night performance St.Petersburg Musical Komedy Theatre "Mr. X." (November 15, 1995)
"...Samsonov looks manly, stately, and the grey hair attaches to him a peculiar charm. A fresh bariton, strict academic vocalization, noble self-control of emotions, - that's our new type of the very Petersburg Mr.X."
Alla Vladimirskaya

"Rush Hour" about fist night performance Mariinsky Theatre "Seville's barber" (February 1996)
"...She (Anna Netrebko) and V.Samsonov (Figaro) with his brilliant comedian acting and with his confident vocal have set up such a couple to which V.Ognovenko could join on equal terms."
Olga Manulkina

"The Independent Newspaper" about fist night performance Bolshoi Theatre "Figaro's marriage" (March 7, 1995)
"...an exception is a "varyag" (reference to Norman mercenary warriors of ancient times) coming from St.Petersburg, an imposing comme il faunt in the person of V.Samsonov (Almaviva).
In the stage ensemble of this performance he may have turned out to be the best-grounded Mozart works' singer, possessing the most clear-cut and vividly-expressed "personalite"".
Andrey Khripin

"The Moscow News" about fist night performance Bolshoi Theatre "Figaro's marriage" (March, 1995)
"...V.Samsonov finds himself quite comfortable in the part of the Earl. On the Moscow stage he looks gallant and imposing, - and that is nice in all respects".
I. Chernomurova