PEOPLE’S ARTIST OF RUSSIA VIKTOR SMIRNOV HAS DIED
On the night of August 12, People's Artist of Russia Viktor Fyodorovich Smirnov has passed at the age of 73. He joined the company of Leningrad Academic Drama Theatre named after A. S. Pushkin in 1983, and debuted as Pugachev in ‘The Captain’s Daughter’. That role immediately suggested that Viktor Fyodorovich Smirnov was among leading masters of acting, an extraordinary and mighty talent, able to perform titanic characters, men of tough fortune, wide emotional range and kaleidoscope of various roles, counting up to fifty at the stage of Alexandrinsky theatre only.
Despite battling serious illness for several years, Viktor Fyodorovich was in the thick of artistic activity till his last days and remained a devoted member of Alexandrinsky theatre. His every new role became all-Russian theatrical top-news, and in many roles he was irreplaceable.
The whole staff of Alexandrinsky theatre moans the loss and extends deep condolences to Viktor Fyodorovich Smirnov’s nearest and dearest.
Viktor Fyodorovich Smirnov will be buried in the Seraphimovskoye Cemetery on August 14.
One can bid farewell at Alexandrinsky theatre, 11:00 a.m.
Last rites will take place in the Church of Reverend Seraphim of Sarov; burial will take place in the Seraphimovskoye Cemetery at 2:00 p.m.