Ivan Vasilyevich Yershov was considered one of the best Wagnerian singers of the early 20th century. Yershov had a dramatic tenor, a distinctive appearance, and an outstanding talent for acting. He placed great importance not only on vocals, but also on articulation, expressiveness of speech, and the appearance of his characters — their postures, movements, facial gestures, make-up, and costumes. Throughout his professional life, Yershov strove for verisimilitude and realism of art.

Coming from a poor family, Yershov was planning to become an assistant engine driver, however, he was spotted by the pianist Anton Rubinstein who had been told about the talented participant of amateur concerts. After graduating from the Saint Petersburg Conservatory, Ivan Yershov went to study in Italy.

The singer’s debut took place in April 1895 when he performed the role of Faust; that same evening, Feodor Shalyapin made his first appearance as Mephistopheles. Ivan Yershov had leading roles at the Mariinsky Theater for thirty-three years. He was also known as a great chamber singer. His repertoire was extensive and diverse.

Ivan Yershov went down in history as one of the best interpreters of the works of the German composer Richard Wagner. In 1895, the singer sang a part of Tannhäuser in the eponymous play directed by Vsevolod Meyerhold. Ever since then, Yershov was the male lead of the entire group of operas called “The Ring of the Nibelung” and played Tristan, Sigmund, Lohengrin, and Siegfried. In 1929, Yershov appeared on the stage of the Mariinsky Theater for the last time as Otello in the eponymous opera by Giuseppe Verdi.

Ivan Vasilyevich Yershov was awarded a doctorate in musicology and worked as a professor at the conservatory where he taught more than one generation of singers. He was also known as a talented painter and participated in exhibitions. Moreover, Yershov became a member of the academic board at the newly created Museum of Theater and Music.

The museum houses photographs of Yershov, his stage costume, and also the gift that was given to the singer by his admirers — a paper-knife engraved with the musical theme of the “Tannhäuser” opera.