Description

GAVRIIL (GABRIEL) MORSKOY (UKRAINE, CHERNIGOV PROVINCE, 1862 – ST. PETERSBURG, 1914)

 

 

 

 

Heinrich Janchevetzki, known by his stage name Morskoy, was a distinguished tenor born in Arseni, near Kiev. As a child, he sang in a local choir, which sparked his early interest in music. He completed his early education at the Chernigov grammar school before pursuing formal vocal training at the prestigious St. Petersburg Conservatory from 1882 to 1889, studying under renowned teachers like C. Everardi, Gabel, and Palechek.

Morskoy made his opera debut in 1889 in Odessa, where he performed until 1892. He then sang in Kiev from 1892 to 1895, further honing his craft and building his reputation. His big break came when he joined the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, one of Russia’s leading opera houses, where he performed from 1895 to 1906.

At the Mariinsky, Morskoy excelled in a variety of challenging roles, showcasing his powerful voice with a range extending up to high C. His repertoire included approximately 50 roles, with standout performances as Radamès in Verdi’s Aida, Don José in Bizet’s Carmen, Raoul in Meyerbeer’s Les Huguenots, and Lensky in Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin. He also portrayed Sobinin in Glinka’s Ivan Susanin, Hermann in Tchaikovsky’s The Queen of Spades, Samson in Saint-Saëns’ Samson et Dalila, Vodemon in Tchaikovsky’s Iolanta, Werther in Massenet’s Werther, and Ioann.

In addition to his work in Russia, Morskoy toured abroad, including a tour in England, where he earned international acclaim. His voice, known for its strength and clarity, made his performances unforgettable. Despite his success, Morskoy’s recordings are considered rare, making them highly sought after by collectors today. His legacy as a powerful tenor with a vast and versatile repertoire remains an important part of opera history.

 

Chronology of some appearances

 

1889-1892 Odessa Opera House

1892-1895 Kiev Opera House

1895-1906 St. Petersburg Mariinksy Theatre

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

1. Faust (Gounod): A moi les plaisirs (w. Veprinsky) Gramophone 24476 6239L
2. Eugen Onegin (Tchaikovsky): I love you, Olga Berliner 20089
3. Askold’s Tomb (Verstovsky): Near the town of Slavyansk G&T 22051 277z
4. The wedding (Dargomyzhsky) Gramophone 22540 251x
5. The North Star (Glinka) G&T 22541 271x
6. Life for the Tsar (Glinka): It is time for the party (w. Michailova, Panina & Serebryakov) G&T 24080 289½z
7. The little golden cloud (Dargomyzhsky) (w. Panina & Serebryakov) G&T 24081 290z
8. Life for the Tsar (Glinka): Not the rose which blooms in the garden (w. Michailova, Panina & Serebryakov) G&T 24079 288z
9. Walküre (Wagner): Winterstürme G&T 22804 464x
10. I remember the evening (Cui) 22477 1489B G&T, St Petersburg 1901
11. Leave me (Davydov) 22472 1443B G&T, St Petersburg 1901
12. Romance (Dlussky) 22476 1488B G&T, St Petersburg 1901
13. Spring song (Bleichmann) 22475 1490B G&T, St Petersburg 1901
14. The Maid of Pskov (Rimsky-Korsakov) Michaels Tucha’s song 22473 1444B G&T, St Petersburg 1901
15. The sweet scent of lilac (Plotnikov) 22474 1445B G&T, St Petersburg 1901
16. Tsar’s Bride (Rimsky-Korsakov) The threatening cloud has passed 22570 343x G&T, St Petersburg 1901
17. Sadko (Rimsky-Korsakov) O you dark oak-grove 22582 409x G&T, St Petersburg 1901
18. Sadko (Rimsky-Korsakov) Play, my psaltery G&T 2-22585