Today we would say that Sergei Lemeshev’s voice had “face,” meaning that his vocal timbre was so distinctive that it was immediately identifiable. Listen to this beautiful rendition of “Pourquoi me réveiller” from Massanet’s Werther.”
Now the shocker: Lemeshev performed that aria with only one lung, the result of serious pulmonary illnesses during World War II. But that didn’t stop him from singing long phrases and giving us a flawless diminuendo on the final B-flat!
Born into a peasant family, Lemeshev studied at the Moscow Conservatory from 1921 to 1925 and made his debut at the Bolshoi Theatre in 1931. His marvelous vocal technique and beautiful timbre, along with his good looks, romantic stage presence, and naturalistic acting, earned him a devoted following throughout his career as a leading tenor in the USSR’s premier opera house, the Bolshoi.
Lemeshev’s signature role was Lensky in Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, which he sang over 500 times from 1927 to 1972, the latter performances after three heart attacks in addition to the missing lung. He was granted a rare exit visa in 1947 for a tour and appearances at the Berlin State Opera, and then it was back behind the Iron Curtain. He remained a leading tenor at the Bolshoi until 1956.
Here is Lemeshev singing “Nadir’s Romance” from Bizet’s The Pearlfishers. You will have to search long and hard for a more ravishing rendition.