Melik-Pashayev, Alexander (Shamilievich)

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Melik-Pashayev, Alexander (Shamilievich)

Melik-Pashayev, Alexander (Shamilievich), noted Russian conductor; b. Tiflis, Oct. 23, 1905; d. Moscow, June 18, 1964. He studied with N. Tcherep-nin at the Tiflis Cons. He was pianist and concertmaster of the Tiflis Opera orch. (1921–24), and then its conductor. After conducting studies with Gauk at the Leningrad Cons, (graduated, 1930), he returned to the Tiflis Opera as chief conductor (1930–31). He then conducted at Moscow’s Bolshoi Theater, later serving as its chief conductor (1953–62). He was highly esteemed for his interpretations of Russian operas; was awarded 2 Stalin prizes (1942, 1943) and was made a People’s Artist of the U.S.S.R. (1951).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire

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