A Composer and His Ideal Interpreter, Sviridov and Obraztsova

Two of the most important Russian artists of the mid-20th century, mezzo-soprano Elena Obraztsova and composer Georgy Sviridov, are featured on a new CD.

The Melodiya label has just released on CD (distributed by Naxos) a recital of two of the most important artists of the Soviet era: mezzo-soprano Elena Obraztsova (1939–2015) and composer Georgy Sviridov (1915–1998), who accompanies her on piano on all but one of the tracks. Titled simply with the names of the singer and composer, the album memorializes the significant collaboration between the two.

Obraztsova was born in Leningrad in 1939 and survived the siege of that city during World War II. Her father was sent to the front, while she remained with her mother.