Yakovlev Leonid Georgievich, *12 April (31 March) 1858 Kherson Governorate, †2 June 1919 Petrograd, Russian singer (baritone). He received his general education at a cadet school in St. Petersburg, after graduating from which he began military service. In 1885–87 (after leaving the army) he studied singing with E. Ryadnov in Kyiv and continued his vocal studies in Italy. In 1886 he made his debut in Tbilisi (in Ponchielli’s La Gioconda); in 1887–1907 he sang as a soloist at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg. His repertoire included the following roles: Wolfram (Tannhäuser by Wagner), Count de Nevers (The Huguenots by Meyerbeer), Escamillo (Carmen by Bizet), the title roles in the operas Eugene Onegin by Tchaikovsky, The Demon by A. Rubinstein and Rigoletto by Verdi, as well as many others. In 1906 he left the stage, though he did not sever his ties with the theatre, directing provincial opera companies for a time. From 1911 he also taught at G. Zaslavsky’s music courses in St. Petersburg. In 1918 he assumed the directorship of the Mariinsky Theatre. Yakovlev’s voice was characterized by a soft, velvety timbre; it was sonorous and even throughout its entire range. He was especially admired for the effortless and natural upper register, which he handled with mastery. His additional assets included excellent appearance, charm, and exceptional acting talent.
