Chaliapin & the Jews

After publishing two previous books on Feodor Chaliapin with Nova Science Publishers, Tsar Feodor: Chaliapin in America (2012) and Sex and the Singer: Women in Feodor Chaliapins Life (2014), the current work of Darsky concludes his research trilogy about one of the worlds greatest operatic stars; however, this time he examines the life and work of the singer from a completely unexpected angle. In multiple Russian/Soviet publications, including recollections and critical biographies about Feodor Chaliapin, not a single word accusing him of antisemitism can be found, although such rumours have never stopped circulating. Meanwhile, some predominantly American authors put such accusations in writing while failing to provide any references. Such allegations have been vehemently rejected by Chaliapins children in their memoirs and during interviews with the author of this book, stating that several Jews were among Chaliapins closest friends and that during his entire life he had helped many others. It appears that until now, the topic of Chaliapin and the Jews has not attracted any scholarly interest, either in Russia or abroad, though there have been several short articles in Russian dedicated mainly to one particular event. This event took place in Soviet Russia in April of 1918, when Chaliapin participated in a so-called Zionist Concert. The story of the performance, after being forgotten for fifty years, was resurrected in an article by Professor Mikhail Goldstein that appeared in a Russian language Israeli periodical. The Professor also called for further searches of unknown and forgotten facts, showing Chaliapins amicable attitude toward the Jewish people. Over twenty years ago, responding to Goldsteins appeal and keeping in mind the statements of Chaliapins children, the author of this book made his first attempt to compile in a Russian essay all the facts that were known to him at that time about Chaliapins interactions with Jews. After acquiring additional information, learning and deeply understanding the inner essence and spirit of this great man, the author believes that the time is now ripe to present for the first time ever a book written in English with the most complete picture of Chaliapins good deeds, his cordial attitude toward Jews and showing how Jewish influences shaped Chaliapins views of life and art. Simultaneously, an effort has been made to expose the absurdity of the statements concerning Chaliapin's purported antisemitism.