Solomiya Krushelnytska
Solomiya Amvrosiivna Krushelnytska (23 September 1872, Biliavyntsi village, Buchach district, Austria-Hungary — 16 November 1952, Lviv) was a Ukrainian operatic soprano, one of the most celebrated voices of her era. She was educated at the Ternopil Classical Gymnasium as an external student and at the music school of the 'Ruska Besida' society. From 1891 to 1893 she studied at the Lviv Conservatory under Professor Walery Wysocki, graduating with distinction. She perfected her craft in Italy with Fausta Crespi for voice and Professor Conti for dramatic performance. Her solo debut took place in Handel's 'Messiah' on 13 April 1892, and her operatic debut as Leonora in Donizetti's 'La Favorita' on 15 April 1893. In 1904 in Brescia she sang the role of Cio-Cio-San in Puccini's 'Madama Butterfly', rescuing the opera after its disastrous Milan premiere. She performed in the world's leading opera houses. In 1910 she married the Italian lawyer and mayor of Viareggio Cesare Riccioni. Her final operatic appearance was in Naples in 1920. From 1938 she taught at the Lviv State Conservatory. In 1951 she received the title of Honoured Art Worker of the Ukrainian SSR. She is buried at the Lychakiv Cemetery.Collection2