Nikolai Annenkov, one of Russian theatre's most eloquent voices who was
a descendant of liberated peasants, was a leading actor of Maly Theatre
and teacher of many film stars.
He was born Nikolai Aleksandrovich Kokin on September 21, 1899, in the
village of Inzhaviono, Tambov province, Russian Empire. His grandfather
was a liberated Russian peasant who started his own farming business.
His father, named Aleksandr Ivanovich Kokin, became a prosperous farmer
and trader. His mother, named Anna Ivanovna Kokina (nee Kazakina), was
a homemaker and raised six children. From 1910-1917 he studied at
Tambov Gymnasium, then at Moscow Institute of Communications. From
1919-1922 he served in Cavalry of the Red Army during the Russian Civil
War. From 1922-1924 he studied at Shchepkin School of Acting at Maly
Theatre in Moscow.
From 1922-1999 Annenkov was a permanent member of the legendary troupe
at Maly Academic Theatre in Moscow. There he played over 200 roles on
stage. He began his acting career as a stage partner of Maria Ermolova.
He worked on stage with such actors as Yelena Gogoleva, A. Yablochkina,
Varvara Massalitinova, Vsevolod Aksyonov, Yevdokiya Turchaninova, Vera Pashennaya, Olga Sadovskaya, Elina Bystritskaya, Rufina Nifontova,
Boris Babochkin, Mikhail Zharov, Igor Ilyinsky, Yuriy Solomin, and many other notable Russian
actors.
Nikolai Annenkov was famous for his special voice and an authentic,
eloquent Russian speech. His voice was loved by millions of radio
listeners for his radio-readings from classic literature. His eloquent
narration for the 24-hour-long documentary about the art collection and
history of the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg won him numerous
awards. Annenkov's stage performances were admired by such directors as
Vsevolod Meyerhold, Konstantin Stanislavsky, Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko, and Aleksandr Tairov, as well as by
critics and public across Russia.
Annenkov celebrated his 100th birthday on stage of Maly Theatre in
Moscow. His birthday party was attended by many celebrities, political
and cultural figures of Russia. He was awarded three State Prizes of
the USSR and Russia, and was designated People's Artist of the USSR
(1960). From 1946-1999 he taught at Shchepkin School of Maly Theatre.
There his students were such actors as Oleg Dal, Viktor Pavlov, Georgi
Obolensky, Mikhail Kononov, Vitali Solomin, and many other notable Russian actors.
Nikolai Annenkov passed away on September 30, 1999, at the age of 100,
and was laid to rest in Novodevichi Convent Cemetery in Moscow, Russia.
"Russian is one of the best languages to convey the most subtle motions
of soul", said Nikolai Annenkov.
