Description

MAXIMILIAN MAKSAKOV (M. A. MAKS) (CHERNIVTSI, BUKOVINA 1869 – MOSCOW, 26 MARCH, 1936)

 

 

 

 

Max Schwarz, known by his stage name Maksakov, was an opera singer who had a significant career in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He studied singing under C. Everardi in St. Petersburg, A. Buzzi in Milan, and later with K. Ryadnov in Tbilisi. He made his debut in 1889 in Rostov-Na-Donu, performing the title role in Anton Rubinstein’s opera Demon.

From 1889 to 1897, and again in 1900, Maksakov was a prominent figure at the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre. He also performed at the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre during the same period. His career included numerous guest appearances in various cities, including Kazan (1894, 1897/1898), Moscow (at the Bolshoi Theatre in 1895 and the Aquarium Theatre from 1905 to 1907), St. Petersburg (1898-1899, 1901, 1902), Saratov, Nizhny Novgorod (1906), Kharkov (1907), Odessa (1908/1909, 1924), Kiev (1909), Vienna (1911), Astrakhan (1920-1923), and Tbilisi (1929).

Despite his small stature, Maksakov possessed a dramatic voice, although it was often noted for lacking charm and flexibility. Like many Russian singers of his time, he aspired to reform opera, eventually becoming an impresario. However, his attempts at reform were not successful, leading to financial losses and a return to the standard operatic repertoire.

Maksakov’s recordings are extremely rare, reflecting the limited preservation of his work. Despite the challenges in his career, he remains a notable figure in the history of Russian opera.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1889 Rostov-Na-Donu Opera House Demon (Demon) Debut

1897 Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre Aleko (Aleko) Creator in this opera house

1897 Kazan Opera House Tannh¤user (Wolfram) Creator in this opera house

1908/1909 Odessa Opera House Thais (Atanael) Creator in this opera house

 

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

1. Demon (Rubinstein) Accursed world 22872 544x G&T, Moscow 1902-01
2. Demon (Rubinstein) Do not weep, child 22254 2637G Berliner, St Petersburg 1901-03
3. Demon (Rubinstein) I swear by the first day of creation 3-22941 8399L Gramophone, Moskva 1909-01
4. Don Juan’s Serenade (Napravnik) 22283 2650G Berliner, St Petersburg 1901-03
5. Ernani (Verdi) cavatina (Infelice, e tuo credevi) 22955 1932B G&T, Moskva 1902-01
6. Eugene Onegin (Tchaikovsky) Alas, there is no doubt 3-22888 8401L Gramophone, Moscow 1909-01 Gramophone, Moscow 1909-01
7. Faust (Gounod) Il etait temps 22871 543x G&T, Moscow 1902-01
8. For a Day (Gorky) The sun rises and sets 2-22524 1287z G&T, St Petersburg 1903
9. Huguenots (Meyerbeer) La benediction des poignards 22866, 538x G&T, Moskva 1902-01
10. Iolanta (Tchaikovsky) Who can be compared with my Matilda 3-22942 8400½L Gramophone, Moscow 1909-01
11. Maccabeus (Rubinstein) What orders, Lord, do you give your slave 3-22911 8403L Gramophone, Moskva 1909-01
12. Mazeppa (Tchaikovsky) Three treasures 3-22943 8402L Gramophone, Moskva 1909-01
13. Prince Igor (Borodin) Oh, give me freedom 22282 2651G Berliner, St Petersburg 1901-03
14. Queen of Spades (Tchaikovsky) If only darling maidens 22284 2649G Berliner, St Petersburg 1901-03
15. Stay with me (Zubov) 2-22002 1225c G&T, St Petersburg 1903
16. The swallow (Vieni sul mar), Neapolitan song (-) 2-22089 1375c G&T, St Petersburg 1903
17. Traviata (Verdi) Di Provenza il mar 22278 2652G Berliner, St Petersburg 1901-03