Inashvili, Aleksandr

(also Sandro Iovich Inashvili). Born Aug. 11 (23), 1887, in Tbilisi; died there June 4, 1958. Soviet Georgian singer (baritone); People’s Artist of the USSR (1950). Became a member of the CPSU in 1946.

Inashvili graduated from the Tbilisi Music School in 1916 and took advanced training under the Italian singer E. Giraldoni. In 1916 he became soloist with the opera house in Tbilisi (present-day Georgian Opera and Ballet Theater). Beginning in 1928 he was in charge of the opera course at the Tbilisi Conservatory; he began teachirig there in 1937 and became a professor in 1942.

Inashvili was one of the founders of the Georgian school of operatic singing. He was endowed with outstanding vocal and stage talents. His best parts include Murman in Abesalom and Eteri and Kiazo in Daisi, both by Paliashvili; Gocha in Crafty Daredzhan by Balanchivadze; Onegin in Eugene Onegin by Tchaikovsky; and Escamillo in Carmen by Bizet. Inashvili also performed in concerts. He was awarded the Order of Lenin and two other orders, as well as medals.