Yekaterina Korchagina-Aleksandrovskaya

Biography

Yekaterina Korchagina-Aleksandrovskaya was one of Russian theatre's most prolific actresses who survived three Russian revolutions and three wars and performed over 400 roles on stage and in film. She was born Ekaterina Pavlovna Korchagina on December 23, 1874, in Kostroma, north of Moscow, Russian Empire. Her parents were professional actors, and young Ekaterina Korchagina performed on stage together with her parents, as a child. In 1887 she began her professional career as an actress under the stage name Olgina. At that time she worked with touring troupes, as well, as with permanent troupes of local theatre companies in Arkhangelsk, Mogilev, Tula, Tambov and other Russian cities. In 1883, at age 19, she married a fellow actor Vladimir Aleksandrovsky. In 1904 she moved to the capital of Russia, St. Petersburg, where she had more chances for her studies, as well, as her acting career. From 1904 - 1907 she was a permanent member of the troupe at Komissarzhevky Theatre in St. Petersburg, then was a permanent member of the troupe at Society of Arts and Literature in St. Petersburg, and also worked with various other tropes in St. Petersburg. From 1915 until the end of her life in 1951, Korchagina-Aleksandrovskaya was a permanent member of the troupe at the legendary Aleksandrinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg (now The Pushkin Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia). She was best known for her stage performances as Lisa in A. Ostrovsky's play 'Groza' (aka... The Storm), and as Snegurochka in 'Snegurochka (aka... The Snowgirl), among her other memorable stage performances. She made her film debut in the Soviet silent film Komediantka (1923), but there is also a record in her letters that she actually made her film debut in silent films by producer/director Aleksandr Khanzhonkov who initially invited her in his film after seeing her in a stage play during the 1900s, but soon Khanzhonkov changed his mind and said that she is not made for movies, however some of her scenes had been shot, albeit all of her early film scenes had been lost during the turbulent times of the Russian revolution and the Civil War. Her later career in the Soviet Union was highlighted by such film roles as Ulita in period film House of Greed (1934), based on the novel 'Gospoda Golovlevy' by writer Saltykov-Shchedrin, and as Mother Samoylova in _Mother and Sons (1938)_, by directors Mikhail Doller and Vsevolod Pudovkin. Yekaterina Korchagina-Aleksandrovskaya was designated People's Artist of the USSR in 1936. She was awarded the State Prize of the USSR for her works on stage in 1943. She also received numerous awards and decorations for her contribution to the art of theatre and film, including the Order of Lenin (twice), and the Order of the Red Banner of Labor. She also made acclaimed radio performances of classic Russian plays during the 1940s. She died on January 15, 1951, and was laid to rest in Tikhvinskoe Cemetery of Aleksander Nevsky Lavra in St. Petersburg, Russia.