Musicians and performers
Alexander Vertinsky
March 20, 1889 — May 21, 1957
- Singer-songwriter
- Born in Kyiv
Legendary chansonnier and actor, the “sad Pierrot” of the stage. Born at 43 Volodymyrska Street, he went to school in Kyiv; a monument to him stands on Andriyivskyy Descent.
Biography
Alexander Vertinsky was born in Kyiv on 20 March 1889, in a house at 43 Volodymyrska Street, not far from the Golden Gate. He lost his parents early – his mother died when he was about three and his father two years later – and was brought up by his aunts.
He attended the First Alexander Gymnasium (now the “yellow building” of Kyiv University), was expelled for poor grades and behaviour, and finished his schooling at the Fourth Kyiv Gymnasium. As a young man he acted in amateur shows, worked as an extra at the Solovtsov Theatre, frequented Sofia Zelinska’s literary salon and published short stories in Kyiv newspapers.
Around 1909–1910 he moved to Moscow, where he became famous performing his own songs as a melancholy Pierrot. After the revolution he spent a quarter of a century in emigration – Poland, France, the USA, China – returning to the USSR in 1943. He died in Leningrad on 21 May 1957 and is buried in Moscow.
A memorial plaque marks his birthplace at 43 Volodymyrska Street. In 2019 a monument to him was unveiled on Andriyivskyy Descent, and the street’s Museum of One Street has a display devoted to him.
Kyiv in their life
- 43 Volodymyrska Street – his birthplace; memorial plaque.
- First Gymnasium (the university’s yellow building, 14 Shevchenko Boulevard) – his school, until he was expelled.
- Solovtsov Theatre (today the Ivan Franko Theatre) – his first appearances as an extra.
- Andriyivskyy Descent – monument (2019) and a display in the Museum of One Street.
