KHISMATULLIN, Magafur Hismatullovich

KHISMATULLIN, Magafur Hismatullovich [10.1.1915, Derevnya Novokubovo of Ufimsky Uyezd of Ufa Gub. (Iglinsky Raion of the RB) — 5.10.2004, Ufa], Singer (lyrical and drama tenor), Stage Director. People’s Artist of the RSFSR (1965) and BASSR (1953), Merited Artist of the RSFSR (1955) and BASSR (1949). Laureate of BASSR Award named after Salavat Yulayev (1969). After graduating from the Bashk. Studio at Moscow Conservatory (1939) until 1982, he worked as a Soloist, a Stage Dir., and Chief Stage Dir. at Bashkir State Opera and Ballet Theatre, simultaneously since 1966 — as a Teacher at Ufa School of Arts, between 1969—95 — at USIA. A master of Bashk. vocal performance, made his great contribution to the opera art of Bashkortostan. He possessed a flexible voice of unique and characteristic timbre. The performing art of Kh. is distinguished by the accuracy of stage strokes. Kh.’s most prominent performances were in Salavat Yulayev (the namesake opera Salavat Yulayev), Yappar (Svoyachenitsa), Kobek (Shaura; all — by Z.G.Ismagilov). Kh. sang Bashk. folk songs with special expressiveness and professionalism. Kh.’s director skills (he staged over 12 plays) are characterized by the originality of stage interpretation, innovation of ideas and artistic conceptions when he refers to classical heritage. He starred in the motion picture In the Lunar Eclipse Night (Sverdlovsk Film Studio, 1978). A street in Ufa was named after Kh.