I had the good fortune to receive a wonderful musical education, both in Italian "bel canto" vocal training at the Moscow Conservatory and, for a period of thirteen years, in the art and interpretation of Russian song with Nadjezhda Malysheva.

This remarkable lady had been a piano pupil of Konstantin Igumnov, a famous Russian pianist who had studied piano with Anton Rubinstein and composition with Tchaikovsky.

In addition, Miss Malysheva had been the accompanist of Fyodor Chaliapin in many recitals, had worked with the great actor Stanislavsky, and was married to Victor Vindoradov, Russia's outstanding "Pushkinist."

As her pupil from the age of 17, I was able to absorb her knowledge of Russian literature, culture, music, and the interpretation of the Russian song literature of such masters as Glinka, Balakirev, Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky.

- Ljuba Kazarnovskaya