Mikhail Kit

Mikhail Kit, who performed the role of Iolanta’s father, is, without exaggeration, from the star galaxy of outstanding Russian basses.
Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger

The true highlight of the evening came late, with bass Mikhail Kit’s Kutuzov. His portrayal of the Russian General who finally defeated Napoleon and France, but only after sacrificing Moscow was incredible. The audience reacted to his singing as it brought them into the General’s world.
Opera in America

Bass

• People's Artist of Russia
• Recipient of the medal of the Order For Services to the Fatherland, second class
• Prize-winner at the International Youth and Student Festival competition in Havana (1977)
• Prize-winner at the International Francisco Viñes Young Opera Singers' Competition (Barcelona, Grand-prix, 1978)

Mikhail Kit was born in 1943 in Kolomiya (Ukraine). Graduated from the vocals faculty of the Odessa Conservatoire in 1973. As a fifth-year student, he was invited to join Leningrad's Maly Opera and Ballet Theatre. Soloist at the Perm Opera and Ballet Theatre from 1973-1986. Soloist with the Mariinsky Theatre since 1986.

Repertoire at the Mariinsky Theatre:
Svetozar, Ruslan (Ruslan and Lyudmila)
Ivan Susanin (Ivan Susanin)
Boris Godunov, Pimen (Boris Godunov)
Dosifei, Shaklovity the Boyar (Khovanshchina)
Cherevik (Sorochintsy Fair)
Prince Igor, Galitsky (Prince Igor)
Gremin (Eugene Onegin)
Kochubei (Mazepa)
King René (Iolanta)
Prince Zhemchuzhny (The Oprichnik)
Tokmakov (The Maid of Pskov)
Viking Merchant (Sadko)
Tsar Saltan (The Tale of Tsar Saltan)
Gusli Player (The Legend of the Invisible City of Kitezh and the Maiden Fevronia)
the King of Clubs (The Love for Three Oranges)
Count Ilya Rostov, Denisov, Dolokhov, Kutuzov (War and Peace)
Old Convict (Katerina Ismailova)
Grand Inquisitor (The Brothers Karamazov)
Don Basilio (Il barbiere di Siviglia)
Zaccaria (Nabucco)
Padre Guardiano (La forza del destino)
Filippo II (Don Carlo)
Ramphis (Aida)
Iago (Otello)
Méphistophélés (Faust)
Nilakantha (Lakmé)
Sarastro (Die Zauberflöte)
Leporello (Don Giovanni)
Heinrich der Vogler (Lohengrin)
Wotan (Das Rheingold, Die Walküre, Siegfried)
King Marke (Tristan und Isolde)
Gurnemanz (Parsifal)

Mikhail Kit has toured both independently and with the Mariinsky Opera Company, appearing in opera houses in Italy, Spain, Germany, Finland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, the UK (Royal Opera House, Covent Garden), the USA (Metropolitan Opera), Japan, Argentina, Mexico, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Korea, Israel, France and Luxemburg.

Recordings for Philips Classics and NHK include Boris Godunov (Shchelkalov), War and Peace (Denisov), The Fiery Angel (Worker), Prince Igor (Prince Igor) and La forza del destino (Padre Guardiano).