Ivan Sosnitskii

Born Feb. 18 (Mar. 1), 1794, in St. Petersburg; died there Dec. 24, 1871 (Jan. 5, 1872). Russian actor.

In 1811, Sosnitskii graduated from the St. Petersburg Theatrical School, where he was a student of I. A. Dmitrevskii and C. Didelot. In 1812 he became a member of the drama troupe of the St. Petersburg Theater.

Sosnitskii was known for his natural expressiveness, refinement, elegant style, and masterful skill. His roles in comedies and vaudevilles included Ol’gin and Radugin in Shakhovskoi’s A Lesson for Coquettes, or The Lipetsk Spa and Light-Headed Empty Householders and Arist in Griboedov’s Newlyweds. In the 1830’s, with the development of realism in the Russian theater, Sosnitskii’s style acquired a satirical edge. His most significant role was that of the Mayor in Gogol’s The Inspector-General (1836). Sosnitskii created this role and received high praise from Gogol for his performance. His other roles included Kochkarev in Gogol’s Marriage, Tartuffe and Sganarelle in Molière’s Tartuffe and The School for Husbands, and Balagalaev in Turge-nev’s Lunch at the Marshal’s. Sosnitskii also taught, and V. N. Asenkova was among his students.