Barsova, Valeriia Vladimirovna

(pseudonym of V. V. Vladimirova). Born June 1 (13), 1892, in Astrakhan; died Dec. 13, 1967, in Sochi. Soviet Russian opera singer (lyric coloratura soprano). People’s Artist of the USSR (1937). Member of the CPSU from 1940.

Barsova graduated from U. Mazetti’s class at the Moscow Conservatory (1919); she also studied with M. V. Vladimirova (her own sister). She began singing on the stage in 1915 and in 1917 performed with the S. I. Zimin Opera Company in Moscow. From 1920 to 1948, Barsova was with the Bol’shoi Theater of the USSR. In her art the broad cantilena singing of the Russian vocal school was combined with the bel canto of the Italian virtuoso school. Barsova’s performances were characterized by great sincerity and a high degree of artistry.

Her best roles were the following: Liudmila (Glinka’s Ruslan and Liudmila), Antonida (Glinka’s Ivan Susanin), and Rosina (Rossini’s The Barber of Seville). From 1950 to 1953 she taught at the Moscow Conservatory (from 1952 as a professor). She was an outstanding public figure. She was a deputy to the first session of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and won a State Prize in 1941. Barsova was awarded the Order of Lenin, the Order of the Red Banner of Labor, and medals.