Claudia Shulzhenko is a famous singer, laureate of many awards, as well as a participant in the Great Patriotic War. For her outstanding contribution to musical art, she was awarded the title of People's Artist of the USSR and the Order of Lenin.
Biography
Klavdia Ivanovna was born in 1906 in a small village near Kharkov. Her creative career began in her homeland with singing Ukrainian folk songs. She made her debut on the big stage when she was 17 years old. At that moment, the young artist was admitted to one of the theaters in Kharkov. A few years later, fruitful work began at the Mariinsky Theater in Leningrad and the Moscow Music Hall. The metropolitan public appreciated the strength of the young woman's voice.
In the 40s, Shulzhenko became seriously interested in jazz. At that time in the Soviet Union, this musical direction was not well known, and not particularly approved by the authorities. The artist acted as an innovator. She herself studied theory and selected performers for her jazz ensemble, which was the first in the USSR.
When the war began, Klavdia Ivanovna began to go to the front with her musical group, raising the morale of the soldiers. During the hostilities, the artist gave more than a thousand concerts. She performed on the front lines, risking her life, and in military hospitals. It was Shulzhenko who became the first performer of the song "Blue Scarf", which became incredibly popular in the Union.
Claudia was a brave and self-confident woman. She became the first artist in the USSR who dared to go on stage in a trouser suit. Shulzhenko loved to dress up and French perfume. Even during the war, she managed to keep her vanity case with perfumery.
After the war, her concert activity did not end. Claudia Ivanovna visited Poland, Hungary, Germany. Her dream was a trip to France, to the grave of Edith Piaf. After all, it was with her that Shulzhenko was constantly compared when they talked about her talent and the depth of her voice. This dream was not destined to come true: the authorities did not let the artist go there.
Claudia Ivanovna's repertoire includes over a hundred musical compositions. She has collaborated with many renowned composers, directors, artists and other creative personalities. Her discography includes more than two dozen records. The most favorite songs of the artist were "School Waltz", "Letter to Mother", "Friends-Brothers".
Personal life
The first and only official marriage took place in 1930 with Vladimir Coralli. He was as creative as his young wife. Two years later, the couple had a child - a son, Igor. The artists lived together for 25 years, after which they came to a decision to divorce. The reason for this was the jealousy of the partners.
Two years after breaking up with her husband, the artist meets a new love. She begins a romantic relationship with cameraman Georgy Epifanov. At that time, Shulzhenko was already 50 years old, and her new partner was 12 years younger than her.
Leaving life
The famous artist spent the last years of her life in the capital in her own apartment, which she got almost before her death. Claudia Ivanovna did not know how to economize at all. Even living on a modest pension, she could not deny herself an elite French perfumery. The artist treasured antiques, although most had to be sold.
Shulzhenko was often visited by young artists. They wanted to help her financially, but Klavdia Ivanovna forbade bringing money and only accepted gifts.
The great actress and singer passed away on June 17, 1984. They buried her at the Novodevichy cemetery in Moscow.
