Ivan Afanasyevich Dmitrevsky was a Russian theater worker, teacher, translator, writer, and also one of the first professional actors in the Russian theater. He was born into a deacon’s family in 1736 in Yaroslavl. His father worked in the church of Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki, and according to one version, his surname Dmitrevsky came from the name of that church. At first, the young Ivan was sent to study at a theological seminary, however, at the age of thirteen, he began his acting career as an associate of Fyodor Volkov, the founder of the Russian theater. Dmitrevsky joined the Yaroslavl amateur troupe at Volkov’s invitation.
Dmitrevsky was initially assigned to perform female roles since actresses were a rare occurrence in theater at the time. Over time, the actor switched to male roles and played numerous heroic lead characters throughout his career. The peak of the actor’s fame occurred during the reign of Catherine II, who was known to encourage talented performers.
The Russian poet and playwright Alexander Sumarokov wrote about Dmitrevsky, “He revealed to Petropolis the beauty of buskins.” The audience was delighted with Dmitrevky’s outstanding talent, well-honed skills, and distinctive appearance. Throughout his long life, Ivan Dmitrevsky remained loyal to the Russian theater.
Dmitrevsky’s acting style was greatly influenced by the famous actors David Garrick and Henri-Louis Lekain, whose performances Dmitrevsky attended during his trip to Europe. After he got back to Russia, Dmitrevsky applied the knowledge and experience he had gained from his trip to playing the leading role in Sumarokov’s tragedy “Sinav and Truvor.” The role of Sinav demonstrated just how advanced the actor’s skills had become.
Ivan Afanasyevich Dmitrevsky initiated the establishment of a theater school, which would be attended by more than one generation of actors, including such brilliant performers as Ekaterina Semyonova and Alexey Yakovlev. Ivan Dmitrevsky reminisced,
Dmitrevsky was initially assigned to perform female roles since actresses were a rare occurrence in theater at the time. Over time, the actor switched to male roles and played numerous heroic lead characters throughout his career. The peak of the actor’s fame occurred during the reign of Catherine II, who was known to encourage talented performers.
The Russian poet and playwright Alexander Sumarokov wrote about Dmitrevsky, “He revealed to Petropolis the beauty of buskins.” The audience was delighted with Dmitrevky’s outstanding talent, well-honed skills, and distinctive appearance. Throughout his long life, Ivan Dmitrevsky remained loyal to the Russian theater.
Dmitrevsky’s acting style was greatly influenced by the famous actors David Garrick and Henri-Louis Lekain, whose performances Dmitrevsky attended during his trip to Europe. After he got back to Russia, Dmitrevsky applied the knowledge and experience he had gained from his trip to playing the leading role in Sumarokov’s tragedy “Sinav and Truvor.” The role of Sinav demonstrated just how advanced the actor’s skills had become.
Ivan Afanasyevich Dmitrevsky initiated the establishment of a theater school, which would be attended by more than one generation of actors, including such brilliant performers as Ekaterina Semyonova and Alexey Yakovlev. Ivan Dmitrevsky reminisced,
