Alexander Vertinsky
Seminal Russian and Soviet artist, poet, singer, and composer.
Biographical Overview & Key Facts
- Subject:
- Alexander Vertinsky
- Role / Field:
- Seminal Russian and Soviet artist, poet, singer, and composer.
- Born:
- 1889-03-08
- Died:
- 1957-05-21
- Century / Era:
- 1889s Historical Era
- Database Source:
- 2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0
Origins & Foundations
Alexander Nikolayevich Vertinsky (Russian: Александр Николаевич Вертинский; 20 March [O.S. 8 March] 1889 – May 21, 1957) was a Russian and Soviet artist, poet, singer, composer, cabaret artist and actor who exerted seminal influence on the Russian tradition of artistic singing. Alexander Vertinsky and his elder sister Nadezhda were born in Kiev (now Kyiv, Ukraine) out of wedlock: their parents couldn't marry since his father's first wife ("Varvara, an elderly, evil and unattractive woman") refused a divorce, so he had to adopt his own children. Both parents belonged to the Russian Orthodox Church.
Key Developments & Impact
His father Nikolai Petrovich Vertinsky (1845—1894) came from a railwayman's family. He was a well-known lawyer – according to Alexander, especially popular among poor people, because he defended them for free and even helped financially, — and an occasional journalist (he published feuilletons under a pen name Graf Niver). While Alexander considered himself Russian in general, he assumed he had some Polish blood too: "I never met people with my surname in Russia, but in Poland it is met more or less often... one of my great-grandfathers was probably a Pole". He also recognised...
Chronological Milestones & Life Events
- 1845: 1845 Milestone — His father Nikolai Petrovich Vertinsky (1845—1894) came from a railwayman's family.
- 1889 (1889-03-08): Birth of Alexander Vertinsky — Seminal Russian and Soviet artist, poet, singer, and composer.
- 1957 (1957-05-21): Passing & Historical Legacy — Alexander Vertinsky passed away on 1957-05-21, leaving an enduring historical legacy.
Notable Quotes by Alexander Vertinsky
“I never met people with my surname in Russia, but in Poland it is met more or less often... one of my great-grandfathers was probably a Pole.”
Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Alexander Vertinsky
True or False: “Alexander Vertinsky's early career was solely focused on composing opera pieces.”
Answer (FALSE ❌): While he was a composer, his early influence was exerted across various forms, including cabaret art and poetic singing, not just opera.
Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines
- A. Philip Randolph — Contemporary (Born in 1889) (1889): Pioneer labor unionist and civil rights activist who fought for racial equality.
- Abel Gance — Contemporary (Born in 1889) (1889): French cinematic pioneer, celebrated for his mastery of montage and epic filmmaking.
- Adolphe Pégoud — Contemporary (Born in 1889) (1889): Pioneering French aviator and the first recorded fighter ace of World War I.
- Achille Mbembe — Contemporary (Born in 1957) (1957): Cameroonian historian and political theorist known for critiques of colonialism.
- Aga Khan III — Contemporary (Died in 1957) (1957): 48th Imam of the Nizari Isma'ili community and founder of the All-India Muslim League.
- Ai Weiwei — Contemporary (Born in 1957) (1957): Dissident Chinese conceptual artist, documentarian, and activist known for critiquing the CCP.
- Anselm Kiefer — Shared historical date (03-08 · Born) (1945): German painter and sculptor confronting German history, the Holocaust, and myth.
- Anthony Leggett — Shared historical date (03-08 · Died) (2026): Pioneering theoretical physicist known for work on superfluidity and low-temperature quantum systems.
- Aditya Chopra — Shared historical date (05-21 · Born) (1971): Pioneering figure in Hindi Cinema, known for producing blockbuster films and leading Yash Raj Films.
- Al Franken — Shared historical date (05-21 · Born) (1951): Comedian, writer, and politician known for SNL and his tenure as a U.S. Senator.
- 1889 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1889
- March 8 (03-08) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on March 8
- 1957 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1957
- May 21 (05-21) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on May 21
Frequently Asked Questions about Alexander Vertinsky
Who was Alexander Vertinsky and what are their primary contributions?
Seminal Russian and Soviet artist, poet, singer, and composer. Origins & Foundations: Alexander Nikolayevich Vertinsky (Russian: Александр Николаевич Вертинский; 20 March [O.S. 8 March] 1889 – May 21, 1957) was a Russian and Soviet artist, poet, singer, composer, cabaret artist and actor who exerted seminal influence on the Russian tradition of artistic singing. Alexander Vertinsky and his elder sister Nadezhda were born in Kiev (now Kyiv, Ukraine) out of wedlock: their parents couldn't marry since his father's first wife ("Varvara, an elderly, evil and unattractive woman") refused a divorce, so he had to adopt his own children. Both parents belonged to the Russian Orthodox Church.
When was Alexander Vertinsky born and during which historical era did they live?
Alexander Vertinsky was born on 1889-03-08 and passed away on 1957-05-21. For complete historical world events during this era, explore the 1889 Chrono-Archive.
Where can I read more verified chronological archives on Alexander Vertinsky?
Explore verified primary sources, interactive timelines, and contemporary figures in the 2Day Chrono-Wiki encyclopedia or review the original entry on Wikipedia.
Source: Wikipedia