Tatiana Ivanovna
Shmyga
1928-2011
Tatiana IvanovnaShmyga was an outstanding Soviet and Russian singer, a lyric soprano, and an actress in operetta theatres and films. Her work was highly recognized, receiving the title of People’s Artist of the USSR in 1978, the Glinka State Prize of the RSFSR in 1974, and the Prize of the President of the Russian Federation in 2001. Tatiana Shmyga was born in Moscow, in a family with Polish roots: her grandfather had the surname Mickiewicz, but the surname was changed after his death. As a child, Tatiana’s family lived happily, loving theatre and music and often hosting house parties. Despite initially wanting to become a lawyer, Shmyga became interested in singing. In 1947, she entered Music and Theatre College maned after Glazunov and later continued her studies at GITIS. After graduating in 1953, she was invited to join the Moscow Operetta Theatre, where her debut role was as Violetta in The Violet of Montmartre by Kalman, which brought her immediate recognition. Shmyga performed actively on the theatre stage and toured abroad, starring in iconic roles such as Silva, Marietta, Ganna Glavari, and Eliza Doolittle. Her career was closely linked with the Moscow Operetta Theatre, where she shined for decades. In 1961, she received the title of Honoured Artist of the RSFSR. In 1962, Shmyga made her film debut with a small but memorable role as a French actress in Eldar Ryazanov’s “The Hussar Ballad”. Her creative activity extended beyond theatre to include concert performances and tours in Bulgaria, Poland, East Germany, Yugoslavia, and other countries. In 2001, Shmyga published an autobiography titled “Happiness Smiled at Me”, sharing her memories of her life and career. With her multifaceted talent, she became one of the most prominent figures in Soviet and Russian culture. In Moscow, a memorial plaque has been installed on the house where Tatiana Ivanovna Shmyga lived from 1983 to 2011.
Address: Moscow, Leontievsky lane, 14
