Yuri Petrovich Lyubimov (September 30, 1917 – October 5, 2014) is a Soviet and Russian actor and director, founder of the internationally-renowned Taganka Theatre. He is one of the leading names in the Russian theatre world.
After service in the Soviet Army during the World War II, Lyubimov joined the Vakhtangov Theatre. In 1953, he received the USSR State Prize. Lyubimov started teaching in 1963 and formed the Taganka Theatre the following year. Under Lyubimov, the theatre became the most popular in Moscow, with Vladimir Vysotsky and Alla Demidova as the leading actors.
After Vysotsky's death in 1980, all of Lyubimov's productions were banned by the Communist authorities. In 1984, he was stripped of Soviet citizenship. Thereupon Lyubimov worked abroad before returning to the Taganka Theatre in 1989. While in the West he maintained a busy directing career. In the US he directed Crime and Punishment at Arena Stage and Lulu at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. In 1983 he directed Crime and Punishment in London, winning the Evening Standard Award for Best Director.
His staging of Eugene Onegin premiered in the Taganka on his 85th birthday to much critical acclaim.
In June, 2011 Lyubimov left the Taganka theatre.
Lyubimov died at 97 after being admitted to the Botkin Clinic in Moscow with heart failure.
Questions and Answers
Q: Who is Yuri Lyubimov?
A: Yuri Lyubimov was a Soviet and Russian actor and director who founded the Taganka Theatre and is considered one of the leading names in the Russian theatre world.
Q: When did he receive the USSR State Prize?
A: Yuri Lyubimov received the USSR State Prize in 1953, after joining the Vakhtangov Theatre following his service in the Soviet Army during World War II.
Q: Who were the leading actors of the Taganka Theatre under Lyubimov?
A: Vladimir Vysotsky and Alla Demidova were the leading actors of the Taganka Theatre under Yuri Lyubimov.
Q: Why were all of Lyubimov's productions banned by Communist authorities?
A: All of Yuri Lyubimov's productions were banned by Communist authorities after the death of Vladimir Vysotsky in 1980.
Q: When was Lyubimov stripped of Soviet citizenship?
A: Yuri Lyubimov was stripped of Soviet citizenship in 1984, following the banning of his productions.
Q: Where did Lyubimov work abroad before returning to the Taganka Theatre?
A: While banned in his home country, Yuri Lyubimov maintained a busy directing career in the West, directing productions such as Crime and Punishment at Arena Stage and Lulu at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Q: When did Lyubimov leave the Taganka Theatre and how did he die?
A: Yuri Lyubimov left the Taganka Theatre in June 2011, and he died at 97 years old after being admitted to the Botkin Clinic in Moscow with heart failure.
