Gelena Velikanova is a Russian and Soviet singer, whom viewers know from the songs "Lilies of the Valley", "Everything That Was", "The Girls Are Standing" and many others. It marked an entire era in Soviet music. The authorities disliked the singer for her too frivolous repertoire, but the audience adored her for simple and understandable melodies for every Russian person.
Childhood
Gelena Velikanova was born in 1923 in Moscow. Her family was simple, her parents lived very poorly, but at that time many lived like that. Gelena studied well at school and was a very sociable girl. Her voice was immediately noticed by friends and teachers and recommended that she enroll in a music school. But the war began, and Gelena's family had to evacuate to Tomsk.
Education
In Tomsk, a sociable girl was not lost, she worked in a hospital, helped to take care of the wounded. And soon she decided to continue her education and entered the institute for a technical specialty. In Tomsk, there was simply nowhere else to go, and the country needed young engineers.
But, unfortunately or fortunately, the girl did not have any ability for the exact sciences. And she decided to return to Moscow, where she entered the Glazunov Music School.
Musical career
Success came to the singer quickly after she sang the song "Lilies of the Valley". The voice of Helena Velikanova could be heard at that time from every speaker. Subsequently, the song "Lilies of the Valley" was covered many times in Russia and abroad.
But the singer's creativity was not limited to this one song. Suffice it to recall the works "Rula te rolla", "Two banks", "The girls are standing", "Rash, talianka" and many others. Gelena's voice, ringing like a bell, could not be confused with anything.
Conflict with authorities and loss of voice
Nevertheless, the singer did not please the authorities. Her songs were called bourgeois vulgarity and were not recommended for listening. The authorities wanted patriotic songs, and the tortured soul of the people demanded lyrics and simple melodies. Famous composers continued to write for Gelena Velikanova.
They say that Furtseva herself disliked Gelena Velikanova because of her appearance, which was inappropriate for a Soviet citizen. The fact is that the singer herself invented her own concert dresses, and they differed sharply from the outfits of other pop stars.
All these troubles hit the dearest for Gelena - her voice. Once, after improper treatment of a cold, Velikanova lost her silvery bell voice, which never returned.
Nevertheless, the singer took up teaching. One of her most famous students is the singer Valeria.
Personal life
Gelena Velikanova was married twice. Her first husband was the famous songwriter Nikolai Dorizo, and the second was the director Nikolai Generalov. Gelena has a daughter, Elena, who willingly shares her memories of her famous mother.
