It is not often in reality that there are situations when a capable child manages to realize his talents. According to some experts, a climate has developed in Ukraine that promotes the development of vocal skills. A vivid confirmation of this is the work of Vasily Gerello.
Starting conditions
Every adult was once a child. Looking at an accomplished person, it is difficult to imagine that he once ran barefoot in the morning dew. I helped my parents to drip potatoes and pick apples in the garden. Vasily Georgievich Gerello was born on March 13, 1963 in an ordinary Soviet family who lived in the village of Vaslovtsy, not far from the city of Chernivtsi. His father worked as a machine operator, and his mother was a foreman of a field-crop brigade on a collective farm. As was customary in rural areas, houses kept their household.
According to old traditions, numerous relatives gathered in the hut for various holidays and celebrations. After a glass or two of fenced vodka in the hands of amateur musicians, an accordion or domra appeared. And in the neighborhood merry and sad songs were heard. Ukrainian tunes are known and loved all over the world. From an early age Vasily demonstrated his amazing vocal and musical abilities. From one listening he memorized the words and melody of the song. He recruited his "repertoire" by listening to the radio and attending various festivities.
The father, a participant in the Great Patriotic War, presented his son with a trophy accordion. Vasily learned to play the instrument easily. He splendidly performed melodies without knowledge of musical notation, by ear. As a teenager, he did not refuse offers to play and sing at weddings and other celebrations in his native village. With the help of his talent, already in his school years, he earned himself a new suit and shoes by the fall. Gerello studied well at school. I always found a common language with classmates. He was not considered a bully, but his peers on the street respected him.
After school, Vasily entered the music school of the city of Chernivtsi. Even without education, he perfectly mastered the technique of playing the button accordion, accordion, trumpet and saxophone. However, he had far-reaching plans. The training had to be interrupted due to conscription into the ranks of the armed forces. In the army, Private Gerello played in a brass band, which was quartered at the headquarters of the military district. Army musicians played on the dance floor on weekends, where you could meet interesting girls. After demobilization, the musician-nugget returned to his native school.
The way to the stage
It is important to emphasize that by a certain moment Vasily realized that he had a voice that was rare in depth and timbre. At one point, he made a firm decision and went to Leningrad, where he entered the local conservatory. At the same time, he did not complete his studies at the music school and, accordingly, did not receive a diploma. For such vocalists, a special regulation was in force at the conservatory. The promising performer was admitted to the audition, and the competent commission made a decision to admit Gerello to the vocal department.
Already in his student years, Vasily attracted the attention of specialists. When he was in his fourth year, he was invited to join the troupe of the famous Mariinsky Theater by Valery Gergiev, artistic director. The young singer was immediately entrusted with the lead role in the opera Faust. Then he played the role of Onegin in the opera of the same name. Baritone Gerello's career was developing successfully. To gain a foothold in the theater, Vasily worked, as they say, around the clock. It is interesting to note that he was the first on the stage of the Mariinsky to perform an aria from La Traviata in the original language.
As a student, Vasily Gerello took part in the troupe's foreign tours. His voice sounded at prestigious venues in Europe and America. The Russian singer was greeted with delight not only by the audience, but also by critics and agents of leading theaters. The first solo performance abroad took place at the Dutch Opera. Figaro's aria from "The Barber of Seville" was received by the audience with applause, turning into a standing ovation. Working with legendary conductors has brought the singer new experience and new opportunities.
Personal life score
Experts know that there are not so many worthy opera singers in the world. More precisely, they are all known. Today Vasily Gerello rightfully occupies leading positions in the respective ratings. This fact is confirmed by the fact that the schedule of his performances at various venues is drawn up for two years in advance. The current procedure is justified. Each performer has to plan and distribute their forces. At the same time, take into account such trifles as flight delays at the airport.
The personal life of Vasily Gerello was standard. The famous singer met his wife Alena on the dance floor when he played the guitar in an army vocal and instrumental ensemble. In the fall of 1983, they registered their marriage. Since then, husband and wife walk hand in hand through life. Alena takes on the bulk of the worries about organizing performances, solving household issues, healthy eating and comfortable clothing. At one time, she received the specialty of a choirmaster at the same Leningrad Conservatory where Vasily studied.
The couple raised a son who graduated from the law department of St. Petersburg University. It should be added that they do not have to visit the city on the Neva often. They spend most of their time traveling from one country to another. Every year Vasily Gerello visits his homeland. They are always waiting for him there and do not forget. The singer established a special scholarship for students of the gymnasium at the Russian Museum in St. Petersburg.
