Viktor Guryev (1914)
Born in Riga, Latvia. Lyric-dramatic tenor. People’s Artist of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic (1960).
During World War I his family moved to the city of Narva, where his parents started working in
the weaving industry. His family was very poor and as a small child, the youngest
of five, he had to work as a delivery boy and later as a mechanic and
locksmith assistant. As he was working in a factory he participated in amateur
musical activities, playing mandolin and guitar and at some point
started singing. In 1937 he was invited to play in the popular Kirillov
mandolin quintet.
In 1940, in spite of great competition, was accepted to the vocal faculty of the Tallinn State
Conservatory, where he studied with the famous Estonian baritone Tiit
Kuusik. His studies were interrupted by the start of World War II.
In 1942-45 he sang in an ensemble, and in 1945-1950 was the soloist of
the Academic Choir of the Estonian Soviet Socialist
Republic.
Graduated from Tallinn
city conservatory in 1951 (class of M.Pats).
In 1949-1970 was a leading soloist of the “Estonia” Opera Theater. Among his roles:
The Yurodiviy ("Boris Godunov"), Imposter Prince ("Boris
Godunov"), Lenskiy ("Eugene Onegin"), German ("Queen of
Spades"), Paolo ("Francesca da Rimini"), Alfred
("Traviata").
In 1956-1963
was teaching in Tallinn
Musical School,
and in 1963-1985 - in the Tallinn State Conservatory, serving as the head of
the Vocal Department from 1968 to 1970 and from 1970 to 1982 - the rector of
the Conservatory. Among
his disciples were Ivo Spruce, Anu Weight and Voldemar Kuslap.
Laureate of the all-USSR competition of performers of soviet songs (1st
premium, 1956).
Had very warm relations with the famous Estonian baritone Georg Ots and frequently
sang with him.
Died on 14th of October 1985 in Narva.