FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ST. PETERSBURG CHAMBER OPERA LIDIA GRIGORIEVA PASSED AWAY ON SEPTEMBER 21th, 2020

The former executive director (from 1995 to 2013) of the St. Petersburg Chamber Opera Lidia Ivanovna Grigorieva has passed away.

The contribution of Lidia Ivanovna Grigorieva to the development of the cultural life of Saint Petersburg and country is immeasurable. Veteran-participant of the Great Patriotic War, she was awarded the medal "For the Defense of Leningrad". During the difficult years of the Great Patriotic War, Lidia Ivanovna not only took part in the heroic defense of Leningrad from the Nazi blockade, but also successfully studied at the Leningrad State Theatre Institute. After graduating from the institute in 1946, Lidia Ivanovna left for the city of Novosibirsk, where she worked in the field of arts until 1960. During this time, with her direct participation, there were created: a choreographic school, a conservatory, an art gallery and a theater of musical comedy.

Lidia Ivanovna was awarded a medal "For the Development of Virgin Lands" and a commemorative badge "For Active Participation in the Preparation and Holding of the Sixth World Festival of Youth and Students". At the invitation of the Leningrad City Department of Culture, she worked as director of the legendary Lensovet Leningrad State Theater. Together with the artistic director of the theatre I. Vladimirov Lidia Ivanovna invited a large group of gifted youth to the theatre, which made up the main cast, many of them received the honorary title of People's and Honored Artists of the Russian Federation. Working as director of the Palace of Art Workers named after Stanislavsky, she was the organizer of many meetings of the creative intelligent artists with outstanding workers in the field of science, art, politics.
On October 25, 1978, Lidia Ivanovna was awarded the honorary title of "Honored Worker of Culture of the RSFSR".
Lidia Ivanovna worked as the director of the drama theatre "Priut komedianta". As a result of her efforts, the private theatre received the status of a state one in only two years. She transferred her knowledge and experience to Viktor Minkov, who is currently successfully heading the theatre.
For many years, she was the executive director of the Chamber Musical Theatre  "The St. Petersburg Opera", the right hand and ideological companion of the founder and permanent artistic director of the theatre, Yuri Alexandrov. Lidia Ivanovna's contribution to the education of creative youth is unique. A lot of her efforts were put into the reconstruction and restoration of the mansion of Baron von Derviz, provided by the city administration as the permanent site of the theatre. On May 27, 2003, on the day of the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg, the mansion again became a theatre, marking this double event with the world premiere of Donizetti's comic opera "Peter the Great - Tsar of All Russia, or a Carpenter from Livonia". On this significant day, Lidia Ivanovna was awarded the medal "In Commemoration of the 300th Anniversary of St. Petersburg".
The staff members of the theatre will never forget this unique person. We have suffered a bereavement today. Her whole life is endless dedication to the chosen cause and service to people. Her death is a huge loss for everyone who managed to get to know Lidia Ivanovna, and especially for those who knew her for many years. She will forever remain in our hearts a kind and sympathetic person and a wise counselor, always ready to help in any situation.

The date and time of the funeral will be announced later. In 2021, a cultural evening dedicated to the memory of Lidia Ivanovna Grigorieva will be held in the House of the Actor (date to be confirmed).