Bella Rudenko

Bella Andreevna Rudenko (Born August 18, 1933), Soviet Ukrainian lyric coloratura soprano, People’s Artist of the USSR (1960). Original, vintage, pen and ink, "on-the-spot" illustration by George 'Georges' Krishizki. The hand drawn illustration has been signed by Rudenko and additionally signed, dated and titled by Krishizki: "Georges / 1974 / Bella Rudenko singing Lucia's Aria."

In 1956, Rudenko graduated from the Odessa Conservatory. She debuted at the Odessa Theater of Opera and Ballet in 1955. She became a soloist at the Ukrainian Theater of Opera and Ballet in Kiev in 1956 and a soloist with the Bolshoi Theater in 1973. Rudenko has a well trained voice and is dramatically gifted. Her roles have included Iolan in Maiboroda’s Milana, Natasha Rostova in Prokofiev’s War and Peace, Liudmila in Glinka’s Ruslan and Liudmila, Rosina in Rossini’s Barber of Seville, Violetta in Verdi’s La Traviata, and Lucia in Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor. Rudenko also gives concerts and tours outside the USSR. Rudenko received the State Prize of the USSR in 1971 and the Third Prize at the International Vocal Competition Festival in Toulouse in 1957. She has been awarded the Order of Lenin.

George 'Georges' Krishizki (March 22, 1924 – December 20, 2001), Russian-Polish-American illustrator who came to the U.S. in 1949. While he earned acclaim for his renderings of the city’s architectural landmarks, it was his on-the-spot drawings of musicians in performance that attracted an especially appreciative audience. In a 1973 article published in conjunction with two simultaneous exhibitions, Georges explained the genesis of his long-running engagement with the concert hall: “I’ve always enjoyed going to concerts, and one day I decided it would be fun to combine my interests in music and art and make sketches of musicians during performances.”  Indeed, the most remarkable feature of Georges’ oeuvre, apart from the astounding range of performers who gladly expressed their approval and appreciation by signing, is the skill with which the drawings are accomplished.

This original pen and ink illustration, measuring approximately 9 x 12, on heavy-weight sketch paper, is in fine condition with some light overall toning. Its verso is blank and clean.