Kirill Molchanov

Kirill Vladimirovich Molchanov (Russian: Кирилл Владимирович Молчанов; 7 September 1922 – 14 March 1982) was a Russian and Soviet composer.[1]

He was appointed director of the Bolshoi, at the time political disfavour had fallen on the lead soprano Galina Vishnevskaya.[2]

His works are in the Social Realist romantic tradition and were not warmly received when performed abroad.[3]

  1. ^ Peter Rollberg (2009). Historical Dictionary of Russian and Soviet Cinema. US: Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 461–462. ISBN 978-0-8108-6072-8.
  2. ^ Galina Vishnevskaia Galina: a Russian story 1984 ..I decided to decline the tour, and went to see the Bolshoi's recently appointed director, Kirill Molchanov. Kirill Vladimirovich, you're a decent and intelligent man. I don't have to give you a long explanation about the situation I've found myself in. You know that in accordance with orders from the Central Committee, I've been driven out of radio and television like a leper, and that to mention my name in the press is prohibited." "Yes, I know that, and I sympathize with all my heart." "Then what do you think of my situation now that the Bolshoi is going to Milan? Of course my name will be deleted from all the Italian reviews when they're reprinted in the Soviet press. I have no intention of undergoing such humiliation in front of the whole company, and I can't answer for what.."
  3. ^ World affairs report 1975 "The Bolshoi Opera performed "The Dawns Are Quiet Here," by Kiril Molchanov at Lincoln Center's Metropolitan Opera House (NYT, 7/14). It is a piece of socialist realism about the heroism of women in an anti-aircraft company during World War II. It was panned by Harold C. Schonberg, who suggested the only reason it was performed was because Molchanov is director general of the Bolshoi Opera."