Tchaikovsky
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Glikeriia Fedotova (1846–1925)

Glikeriia Fedotova

Russian dramatic actress (b. 10/22 May 1846 in Orel; d. 27 February 1925 in Moscow), born Glikeriia Nikolaevna Pozdniakova (Гликерия Николаевна Позднякова, Glikerija Nikolaevna Pozdnjakova, Glikeriya Nikolayevna Pozdnyakova); known after her marriage as Glikeriia Nikolaevna Fedotova (Гликерия Николаевна Федотова, Glikerija Nikolaevna Fedotova, Glikeriya Nikolayevna Fedotova).

After studying ballet at the Theatrical School in Moscow, she turned to dramatic acting with the encouragement of her tutor Ivan Samarin.  At the age of 16 she made her debut on the stage of the Malyi Theatre in 1862 (where she met her actor husband Aleksandr Fedotov), and remained in the company until 1905, when illness led her to concentrate on her teaching activities. Following the revolution she was awarded the title "People's Artist of the Russian S.F.S.R.".

In 1873 she premiered the role of Lel' in Aleksandr Ostrovskii's play The Snow Maiden, with incidental music by Tchaikovsky.

Tchaikovsky's correspondence with Glikeriia Fedotova:

• 1 letter from Tchaikovsky to Glikeriia Fedotova has survived, dating from 1884.