Nikolai Baskov: Finding your woman is a great success for a man. Nikolai Baskov: “In ordinary life, I am simple

This week the singer will celebrate his birthday - he will be 41 years old. Now the artist is touring the country with the new show "Game". And on his birthday, he also performs - in Baku. Woman`s Day found out how Nikolai managed to short term so lose weight, get younger and who will sing on it future wedding with Victoria Lopyreva.

"It's time to grow up, but I don't feel like I'm 41"

Nikolai, on October 15 you will be 41 years old ...

Yes. 31 would be better (laughs).

On his Instagram, Baskov posted a photo before and after losing weight and wrote: “If you set a goal and gradually go towards it, then you will definitely achieve it !!!”

You could say it's been half a lifetime. How do you feel about your age?

For me - a quarter of my life, I'm going to die at 120! I haven't celebrated 40 years, by the way. According to numerology, when the number "0" is present in the year, it means emptiness and the formation of something new. My mother is very dear and important person in my life - she said that 40 years is a big internal restructuring. And yes, I have an internal struggle with myself, a feeling that I, as an artist, need a reboot. Almost all 17 years that I've been on stage, I've been associated with a holiday person who performs cheerful, light songs. That's why I want to move away from huge amount any TV shows, programs, in the future to filter their appearances in concerts, because some kind of internal has accumulated ... not fatigue, no. But I need time to jump into something further exciting.

Maybe it's time to grow up. But I can't grow up, I always feel like I'm a young kid who just started his career. I don’t understand at all how 17 years have passed ... I don’t feel that I’m 41. As for my soul, I’m probably 26-27 years old. And, thank God, Lately And I don't look 41. Recently met with classmates (laughs) ... They asked me what I drink for youth.

Tell us a secret, what do you drink for youth? How did you manage to get into such great shape in such a short time?

I have a personal trainer who takes care of me physical training. He is also a nutritionist and massage therapist, in a word, a person who corrects me. It is difficult for the body to withstand our ecology and stress regime. Therefore, I participate in the program of the Academy of Gerontology in St. Petersburg. Thanks to the sanctions, our science does not stand still. Petersburg scientists have achieved certain successes. Their innovation is a complex of preparations that I have tested on myself: these are capsules with a solution of natural vitamins, amino acids and peptides. And a cream on the same basis. I liked the result: fatigue quickly disappears, energy appears. I even decided to release a special set of tools based on these three components, it will be called "Star Energy" - Energy star. You will see it soon on my Instagram. The cost will be normal, as it is manufactured abroad.

I continue to cooperate with the Academy of Gerontology - many influential people, politicians apply there, they make droppers, take drugs, but they hide it.

“Vika told me: “I won’t sing”

Nikolai, your fiancee Victoria Lopyreva recently sang at the New Wave contest. Do you give her voice lessons?

Well, no, she will not sing, it was a pure fan. Although I like the way Vika sings, I generally always like it when the girls who are next to me are engaged in creativity. Vika told me categorically: “I won’t sing! I am an ambassador for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, a presenter, TV presenter, model, so no. You will sing."

On the "New Wave" Victoria sang with other singers

A few years ago, I know Victoria asked you to perform at her wedding...

No, she wanted me to host her wedding. And on those dates when she called and called me, I was busy. In general, you know, everything is so unpredictable, I can honestly tell you! Sometimes you don't know what awaits you around the corner... It's so interesting to live. At the same time, live without paying attention to anything - neither to sharp comments, nor to discussions of your plans. When my mother explained in Malakhov’s program “Live” why the date of our marriage with Vika was being postponed, the headlines in the media were very funny! I am already very resistant to this pressure. But I can say: live as you want. This is your life, no one will give you the next day. Let them discuss you, believe or not, and you do what feels good to you. We have such a destiny public people, we bring into the life of each person a topic for conversation.

Nikolai Baskov and Victoria Lopyreva in the program "Live" at Malakhov admitted that the wedding was postponed

"Some don't understand why I'm on stage - in a dress"

Tell us about your show, with which you are now traveling around the cities.

This is not just a show, but a theatrical costume performance. About 2 million euros were spent on it: these are 4 trucks of scenery, 72 people serve the show, all costumes are exclusive, sewn in one copy according to the sketches of two wonderful fashion designers - Valentin Yudashkin and Vladimir Seredin. I know that it took about 80 thousand rhinestones to create them. Some were made in France in the same atelier that makes costumes for the TV series Game of Thrones. One of the costumes - Prince Calaf from the opera "Turandot" - is about two meters, weighs almost 40 kilograms. And it is technically equipped so that during the song, fans and muzzles of dragons with burning eyes leave it.

And in the song "The Wanderer" there is a gladiator fight in the background. One day I was so staring at how they fight, and I forgot that I have to sing. Opening his mouth, he stood, thinking: I wonder if he will hit him with a sword or not (laughs).

The show "Game" is not just a collection of songs, but a certain story. One of the outstanding directors, Alexei Sechin, who made the Olympics and the Universiade, worked on it. I told him that I want to play different eras. Variants of the name were different - "Time travel", "Fiction". We decided to keep historical facts from my creative biography– certain songs in certain images. For example, the image of the Emperor, in which I received the Golden Gramophone in 2012. The show features music of various genres: popular, classical, operetta, and buffoonery.

The show is so expensive that it does not cover the costs, it is not profitable. But as an artist, I created such a brainchild that will leave its mark. This is something I can be proud of today. It left no one indifferent. Maxim Fadeev wrote after my concert that he had never seen anything grander. There was a standing ovation in the Kremlin in the middle of the concert. It was indicative for me how my girlfriends dragged their husbands to this show. They resisted: “No, the Basques are ... Okay, we’ll serve the first squad and leave.” But no (slams his fist on the table) - the Basques won! The people stayed until the end.

The costume of Prince Calaf from the opera "Turandot" weighs 40 kilos!

The main character of the show is the Mask. What does he mean to you?

The show is called "The Game" because we all play, put on masks. So you come to an interview - and put on a mask of a journalist, come home - put on a mask or loving wife, or bitches. All people play, we are probably most natural when we are left alone with ourselves.

The mask is a manifestation of my inner self. The first part of the show is brilliance and pomposity. The second part is romance, the third is real theater (operetta and opera). The fourth part - the triumph of strength and power - the Roman Empire. The fifth part is a natural blond, a person in love with himself. And the sixth block is the mask of triumph, in which I go out to the audience at the end.

Our people are very caustic for comments and, without going into the reasons why I appear on the throne in a bright suit, and I have an imperial crown on my head, they believe that the Basque completely went with his head - he put on a dress. They do not understand that this is a fragment from Puccini's Turandot, where Prince Calaf sings his famous aria. And the imperial costume in China is just long dress. And only understanding people wrote that "it was amazing to plunge into the atmosphere of the opera."

Nikolai Baskov imagine an atypical album for yourself. The performer of the songs "Street organ", "Let me go", "Black eyes" recorded a disc of contemporary sacred music. How the singer came to this genre - in the first person:

- In a dream, I heard a voice that I need to record songs, glorify God. I was on the shore, I was clearly told that I should sing songs about God. Everything somehow mysteriously happened. Before that, one of my friends, who works in the patriarchy, told me that he also writes music and asked me to throw something. I agreed. After some time, they give me poems by Irina Lebedeva, a book of spiritual poems. I thought it was providence. Mystic. I met her, got acquainted, selected poems and invited the authors Alexei Romanov and Sergei Reftov, my peers who write popular music. I said: “Guys, we need to write an album, not about love and humor, as usual, but about God and remorse. After all, God does not need anything else.

Baskov also said that it was thanks to God that he became an opera singer. He first turned to the Almighty at the age of 17, when his future career was in jeopardy.

“Since childhood, I have been close to God. When I was expelled from GITIS, I did not tell my parents - I wanted to enter another academy. There is a church between the conservatory and the academy, and I went into it, I was 17 years old. I went into the church, stood there and did not understand anything. My grandmother came up to me and asked: “Son, what do you need?” I said that I wanted to enter, to which she showed me the icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and said: “Go every day and ask.” I ask: "What to say?" “In my own words,” she replied. I began to walk around and ask for admission. And I entered on a huge competitive basis.

God is always with me in my heart. And I thank God every morning and ask for forgiveness for what I did wrong. Everything in my life is connected with miracles. I asked for what I needed and it appeared. As one scientist proved, when a person is in a coma, and does not respond to music or microcurrents connected to the head - nothing at all - God can save him. When the priest came to the ward of such a patient and began to read prayers, the human brain began to work.

Prayers, according to the artist, helped him survive and created a real miracle, which even doctors did not believe in. On the verge of death, Baskov was due to a ruptured appendix.

Video: Channel 5, photo globallookpress.com

- I asked fans to pray for me, I had to take hormones, my appendicitis ruptured. I fainted and I film set taken away. And two months later, when I passed the tests, the doctors did not believe me. They began to ask: "What did you do?" And I talked inside myself with every cell with God. There are such moments when I fly on an airplane and start reading prayers, psalms. This clears the mind.

Montserrat Caballe taught Baskov to breathe correctly

Each time, going on stage, Nikolai Baskov reads prayers to himself. The voice, according to the singer, is a very delicate instrument and you cannot trust yourself alone, so it is very important to have support. And better from above.

Video: Channel 5, photo globallookpress.com

“You know, I came to the conclusion that nothing human is alien to me. I did not very right things, but I can’t get away from it. I am a creative person. The voice is the conductor. When you go on stage, you don't know how two little vocal cords will work. Whenever I started singing in opera houses, I think many opera and pop singers do the same, I always turned to the Almighty and prayed. It is impossible without this. This internal state, you go out alone and need support: "I know you are there."

At the same time, the singer noted that he does not get tired at all, although he is a workaholic. A special method of relaxation was taught to him by the famous opera diva Montserrat Caballe.

“When I studied with Montserrat Caballe, she taught me the breathing technique. And the school of breathing technique is based on meditation. When it's hard for me, I can relieve fatigue by breathing. There are exercises, you can find them on the Internet. Inhale-exhale in a certain position. When the body begins to vibrate, you are ready.”

Basques about Monetochka and young artists

The artist is created by his audience, - Baskov rightly believes. In an interview with Channel Five, he honestly admitted that he knew about the existence of the singers Monetochka and Grechka, and even heard a cheerful song by one of the singers, but he just didn’t know which one. Only the scandal with Zemfira remained in Baskov's memory.

Video: Channel 5, photo globallookpress.com

- I heard on the news that there was a conflict with Zemfira. I remember hearing the hilarious song "If I Get Paid When I Think of You" from someone on Facebook. I don’t know who sang it, either Grechka or Monetochka.<…>I think it's great that we have young performers. Each audience should have its own heroes, an open soul who understands the problems modern society. I have a positive attitude towards all artists who are trying to find themselves. Because it's easy to make a name for yourself, but it's very difficult to hold out, because that's the kind of spectator. There are artists who are loved, and then may not be loved. And there are those who once fall in love and people live with him all his life. We have many such legendary artists: Pugacheva, Rotaru and Kirkorov.

About the hype in Ibiza

Baskov said that he was incredibly impressed by the scandal that erupted around the Ibiza video, released jointly with Philip Kirkorov. The clip, the “golden voice of Russia” assures, is a reaction to the news of the yellow press. Baskov also noted that the clip was created for an audience that subtly understands everything.

Video: Channel 5, photo globallookpress.com

I have been on stage for 20 years. It happens that on Instagram 13 and 15-year-olds write to me in private messages. I'm surprised they listen to my songs. Maybe on public display, none of them admit that they listen to Baskov. Although, after Kirkorov and I unexpectedly hyped, we ended up in first place on Youtube.<…>I don't feel like I'm 41, I feel like I'm 28. I am sure that many young people do not understand this, but the moment will come and they will understand this state. Everyone came up with Gudkov and Urgant. They are to blame for everything. But I'm happy with the work. The clip that we shot, we were mostly actors in it. As in the movies they create images, so we created anti-heroes. But nice, such an explosion! Today, one resource has 14 million views, another twelve. 2 weeks is a lot!<…>We did for those who subtly understand everything. We stuffed everything that the yellow press writes about us into it. Here it is all mixed and served. There is actually a subtle hidden psychological message. But what, I'll tell you later.

About rap battles and a duet with Sarah Brightman

Answering a question about rap, Baskov emphasized that the artist is always outside the genre. If you are loved, then you are doing everything right, and only time can show the consistency of the musical direction.

Video: Channel 5, photo globallookpress.com

— It has existed in the West for a long time. For me, if an artist wins an audience, then this is a real artist. And already after the lapse of years it is possible to judge whether a person has succeeded. For a year or two or five it is difficult to understand. Moreover, young artists have been looking for their own path, their direction for a long time. And sometimes it is replaced by something else, and you need to subtly catch this moment, in time to find a breath of creative air.

Baskov noted that he himself is not going to try out in the rap genre yet, but leaves himself space for creativity in the future. For those who are eager to see Baskov in a new role, the singer recommended listening to another of his albums, which is released in November, the Christmas Album. The album will feature an unexpected track with Sarah Brightman.

Maybe I haven't thought about it yet. Still, Philip sang rap at 50 something. I'll wait. Maybe a new generation will grow up. Everyone says open up creative plans. If we told everyone, it would not be interesting. The artist is a sudden cracker! Enthusiasm, dissatisfaction. This is the life of an artist. I'm not thinking about a new musical direction yet.<…>In November, the American Christmas album will be released on Universal. There's a duet with Sarah Brightman. It's been recorded for a long time, but I haven't released it. Song Holy Night. Great work. Wrote in Hollywood. Fans of the "other Baskov" will have the opportunity to listen to the new album in November.

Baskov admitted that he was listening to Serduchka

In an interview, Baskov said that he is open to almost any kind of music. At the same time, the singer's player contains not only classical arias. Baskov follows the latest and tries to be "in trend".

Video: Channel 5, photo globallookpress.com

- I love everything! I have a playlist at home. And there is Verka Serduchka, there is Loboda, and Celine Dion, and Barbara Streisand, and much more. Except that there is no Rammstein. It's hard for me. I love Spanish, Italian stage. I'm generally interested in music, I always go to iTunes and watch new stuff. The audience is different, someone likes one thing, someone else. So do I. I choose what interests me.

On heritage and careless attitude to autographs

Baskov admitted that he would not mind if his things and autographs were sold under the hammer in the future. He himself repeatedly acquired personal belongings of idols. However, it’s too early to talk about his legacy, says Baskov, at least for the next 50 years.

Video: Channel 5, photo globallookpress.com

“I don't think I'll care in a hundred years. If the business lives, the energy lives in the things of your favorite artist, why not? I have an autograph of Callas, which I bought at an auction. I have Mario Del Monaco's belt in which he sang "The Girl from the West", an opera. I have antiques that belonged to famous people. I bought it, I was pleased, interesting. I don't think there's anything terrible about it. If a person wants to buy Tsoi's passport, there is nothing wrong with that. Maybe he has memories of youth or love connected with Tsoi, or Tsoi turned his fate around.

About unhappy love and applause of the public

What the illustrious tenor truly lacks is love. Baskov admitted that his heart was broken more than once. The singer would be happy to tie the knot, but so far he has not met the one. Therefore, the opera singer is so focused on creativity, but sometimes he thinks about love.

Video: Channel 5, photo globallookpress.com

“I think about it all the time. George Clooney also constantly thought about it and finally got married after 50. What to think about it?! It seems to me that it is very difficult for a person like me to find that understanding, caring, experiencing woman. There were moments when my heart was broken very hard. When it finally sticks together, it can meet its fate. So far it doesn't work.

Baskov learns about his "love affairs" from the media. However, the stories invented by journalists rather amuse the master of the national stage. Baskov said that he was so tired of such publications that he himself had not been following them for a long time, but “ last news learns from fans.

- Fans send me some articles on Instagram or Twitter. I go, but for a long time I do not react to it. How many years have I been in show business! I'm so calm about it. I like what they write, I like what they argue. come up with different stories, denials - this is the life of a popular person. There are situations when you find yourself under scrutiny not because you wanted it, but just because it happened. You get in the way, and in the end everything falls apart. You know, as they say, happiness loves silence. For example, my young colleagues get married, all this is covered in the press, and then two years later they get divorced, share property, children ...<…>I had a difficult experience, then there were difficult strong emotional relationships. I won't speak. I was pulled hard. This, imagine putting your hand with boiling water into the pan, do you want to do it again? No, I was not offended. These were feelings. Sometimes, due to my youth, stupidity, adherence to principles, selfishness, I did not understand everything. Few public people are happy in private, unfortunately ...

At the same time, Baskov noted that he was not ready to exchange his popularity for simple human happiness.

“I think everyone has a specific mission. A person may be watching this interview and dreaming of a stage, a career, but he has a wife and two children. And here he looks and says: "I would give up everything to become like this." But we have the opposite situation.<…>I can't give it all up. This is my life. An indescribable feeling when you go on stage. And there from two to one hundred thousand. And millions of people watch you on TV, and it's hard to get off of it.

Material by Natalia Kirillova and Aniya Batayeva

The famous Russian singer was at the epicenter of a grandiose scandal

Sensational information appeared in the press that Nikolai Baskov was divorcing his wife Svetlana, the daughter of Russian tycoon Boris Shpigel. And then, like a bolt from the blue, there was an interview with former producer Nikolai Rashid Dairabaev about the allegedly homosexual inclinations of the singer. He gave it in response to Baskov's scandalously frank interview with the Rolling Stones music publication, in which the singer claimed that his former producer blue. In general, it started

Basque does not comment. They say he moved from his wife's apartment to a hotel, and the other day he completely flew to Spain. Svetlana, whose advertising agency has been promoting her husband until recently, does not agree to an interview. "FACTS" managed to contact by phone only one of the participants in the scandal, Rashid, a well-known Russian producer who worked with the group " Tender May”, Igor Sarukhanov, Vika Tsyganova. According to rumors, after all the showdowns, he had hypertensive crisis

“Kolya was a good guy until his head was blown off by money”

How are you, Rashid Yakubzhanovich?

Thanks, it's better now. Now I am in a sanatorium, undergoing rehabilitation.

A lot of information about Nikolai Baskov appeared in the Russian press in connection with his divorce and your scandalous interview. There was even a version of a planned PR campaign.

Oh no. At least it's not a publicity stunt on my part.

They say that in this way you decided to promote a new singer following in the footsteps of Baskov - the current soloist of the Moscow operetta Maxim Katyrev.

Unlike Baskov, Maxim is slim and tall.

Nikolai also built.

Yes, Kolya is short! Maxim is tall and handsome. Baritone. He sang at the Voronezh Opera and Ballet Theatre.

And now, then, also on the stage?

He will work at the intersection of genres - between classics and variety art.

Do you remember good things about Kolya Baskov now?

I am not an evil person. Of course, I will never forget how Kolya, when we just started working together, came to my house with groceries and said: “Can I fry something for you?” It made me very happy. We ate, drank a bottle of wine and sang a duet

I wonder what?

- "What are you standing, swaying, thin mountain ash?" Yes, that's bullshit. Of course, I have a hearing, but I can't sing like a Basque. I did not receive any special education. Kolya is a star! I realized it the moment I saw it for the first time. It was May 9, 1999 in Moscow, at the Theater Soviet army. Boris Spiegel and I came to the creative evening of the composer Alexander Morozov, in which Nikolai also took part. At the request of the Chairman of the State Duma, Gennady Seleznev, they had to watch his speech and make a verdict. And then Nikolai appeared on the stage in a white suit. He was so strangely dressed that I couldn't help laughing. But he sang pretty well. After the concert, we met, and I began to work with Baskov. He was a good guy at first, until he was blown away by money.

star fever called.

Exactly. It began with the recording of his first album - in 2000. And away we go! With the burden of glory, he could not cope.

“Baskov has always felt femininity”

- For four years you were his producer and, they say, broke up because of the TV project "Dom".

Kolya became the host of this program, which had just launched on television. Without saying a word to me! And then he brought a fee of 10 thousand dollars. I say: “Kolya, what’s the matter? What is the transmission? He explained that the members build a house and then someone gets it as a prize. At the same time, the camera works 24 hours a day in the non-stop mode! I say: “You shouldn’t act there! You don’t need everyone to see how you eat, sleep, go to the toilet. What were we fighting for then? What is the Bolshoi Theater if you will lead this obscene thing?!” He says, "Out of the $300,000 I was given for the transfer, I only get ten." I told him: “I don’t care! We have a contract under which I have 20 percent of any financial offer. You acted, for example, as a janitor, received a million - please unfasten me 20 percent. Because I did not come to the finished star! I made it myself!

Not without the help of one of the most influential businessmen in Russia, Boris Shpigel.

Yes, thanks to the finances of Boris Isaakovich. This, roughly speaking, is the person who invested money in Kolya, believed in his talent. I did everything else! Boris Isaakovich is a respected person, a pharmaceutical magnate. He absolutely does not care about Baskov's creative problems.

But after all, he also received interest from Nikolai's performances?

But how! At first. Until the Basques began to put pressure on my “corn”. This happened after his wedding with Sveta Spiegel. He says: “Rashid, please go and talk to Boris Isaakovich. You are friends!” I came: "Boris Isaakovich, you have only daughter, to which Kolya is married. Well, why do you need these 40 percent? Your business is much more serious » The first time he sent me, dear mother, obscenities! Four days passed, Boris Isaakovich called me: “Well, he says, you are right, as always. Let him take 80 percent, and 20 percent is yours. And - go ahead, happy to you "

Did he agree because of his daughter?

Of course, mostly because of Svetlana.

Did he like Baskov's union with his only child?

Because Baskov already in those years slipped notes of homosexuality. Do you understand me? It felt feminine.

A lot of people have noticed it, but

And I didn't hesitate to talk about it. And Boris Isaakovich as well. I begged: “Well, what are you doing? Don't agree to their marriage!"

He could not influence the daughter?

Sveta threw tantrums! She said that she was in love with Kolya, he was in love with her, and I just envy their happiness! This was also the indirect reason for my resignation. Families began to “nag” me from different sides: Baskov, or rather Baskov, and Spiegel. Everyone except Boris Isaakovich! He was always on my side because he is a wise man. I said: “Guys, I have been living for so many years, do you really think I don’t see who and what he is?” I traveled half the world, I was a director " Tender May”, Igor Sarukhanov and Vika Tsyganova. He went on tour with everyone, from Alla Pugacheva to Montserrat Caballe and Joseph Kobzon.

That is, during the tour, you saw the habits of everyone.

That's it! Together with Kolya Baskov, we went to gay clubs in Riga and St. Petersburg

Have you read the scandalous interview that Baskov gave to the Rolling Stones magazine, which talks about your gay?

This was the beginning of the current scandal. I have been silent for four years! I did not want to tell the details of Baskov's personal life. But after the publication of the article in the magazine, respected people with whom I started working began to call me and refuse to cooperate. I signed a contract with an Erenby team from Mogilev, and one and a half million dollars fell into my account for their promotion!

Quite a few

But the mother of one of the boys threw a tantrum when she read an article in the Rolling Stones about my homosexual tendencies. She began to say, they say, where is the guarantee that I will not start pestering her son? I replied: “From Baskov’s side, this is a slander! I have NEVER touched it! God forbid! Crazy, right? But no one listened to me, and I lost money. Colossal! Of course, I got really pissed off. And when my response interview was published in the press, Baskov's entourage began to call on the phone and threaten me Nothing, I will endure any threat - I am a brave person. I raised Baskov, and I will destroy him. This bastard!

Maybe you shouldn't freak out like that? Kolya, giving an interview, was very drunk.

It doesn't justify it! And then, I know Baskov. He won't allow himself to get drunk to the point of recklessness so that a respected magazine like The Rolling Stones will talk nonsense! After all, the publication is read by a solid audience. Kolya perfectly understood to whom and what he was giving. I decided to get into a rock and roll party in order to lure this viewer to myself.

I was surprised that his wife Sveta was also present at this interview!

She loves him dearly!

Think so far?

Yes, no matter what. Kolya is her first man, whom she fell in love with at the age of 18. In addition, the father of her long-awaited child. Becoming a father, Baskov accomplished a great feat for his part! To be completely honest.

Basque - homosexual?

Absolutely right. I have irrefutable facts about which only the former environment of the singer is aware: backing vocals, security. After all, he fired everyone who knew something unseemly about him. A terrible intriguer. He came to me for a salary, took, say, 30 thousand dollars and said: “If my mother asks, I received only five!” For the other twenty-five, he had his own box office.

“Montserrat Caballe’s“ balls ”came out on her forehead when she heard what soundtrack Nikolai was singing to”

What was the ultimate desire of Kolya Baskov?

World fame! He wanted to sing at the center of world musical culture in New York - the Metropolitan Opera and Covent Garden in London. Boris Isaakovich even sent Kolya and me to Rome. Russian Ambassador to Italy Nikolai Spassky agreed with Etteri Volontiri, a well-known Italian producer, who took us to the La Scala Theater and introduced us to one of the leading tenors. Baskov asked: "How much do you get for a game?" - "About 10 thousand dollars." - “And for this you have been singing here for so many years ?!” On this note, we parted ways with the tenor. And when they left the theater, Kolya said: “God! Why the hell do I need this? I'd rather sing and dance and get 10 thousand dollars for a couple of songs with a soundtrack in the concert hall "Russia" than I'll tear my voice. Let it go to hell!” And immediately went to the stage.

Nevertheless, Montserrat Caballe herself fell in love with him.

It's completely different! Montserrat loved him like a child. She is 74 years old, and Kolya is handsome, young. In 2000, Montserrat came to St. Petersburg, where she gave a concert at the Ice Palace. But the tickets didn't sell very well. The director of the Ice Palace called me and asked: “Old man, we don’t have a collection, and Basque is very popular now. It is impossible for him to come and speak in the first part? I say: “Of course, but on the condition that he will sing in the first part, Caballe in the second, and then they will perform one composition in a duet. It is necessary for our image." We were paid for the road, the hotel and were given 10 thousand dollars of the fee! At the time, very good. Tickets sold out within three days.

So, you stood at the origins of the Montserrat-Basque duet?

Absolutely! True, Montserrat's "balls" crawled out on her forehead when she heard what soundtrack the Basques were singing to. It was a complete out! Boris Isaakovich asked her to take care of Kolya, offered her money. Montserrat is very offended. But then she spoke in the Kremlin and nevertheless agreed: “Let Kolya come to me, we will study” We flew to her in Barcelona all together - me, Boris Isaakovich, Kolya, Sveta.

Is it true that Baskov and Kirkorov have a long-standing conflict?

They constantly quarrel, then reconcile. They have their own Madrid there. They wish each other health, but in fact, I think this is a lie. Because if one of them died creatively, the other would be very happy about it.

What do you think, what actually caused Baskov's divorce from his wife?

I think this is Sveta's decision. She "left" him, finally plucking up the courage. Alas, after the break with Kolya, I do not communicate with the Spiegel family. Only with Boris Isaakovich, and that is extremely rare. Kolya walks over corpses all his life, using people in one way or another. After all, he so hoped to receive the title of People's Artist of Russia by the 30th anniversary! But they didn't. It’s not the same with us as it is with you, in Ukraine - once, and the Basque people became Why does he need Sveta now? Rumors that he was a homosexual stopped after the birth of a child. There was a wife, now he is himself. Kolya wants to spend money, relax, travel freely and eventually get rid of Boris Isaakovich's guards and people. Don't hide anything. He is now unbound! Buy yourself Vacation home and walk, empress! Forward! As for concerts, he hasn't had a producer for a long time. He sets his own prices. He became insolent terribly, although he won’t even pronounce the word “meow” live.

Why haven't you been singing for a long time?

What do you! All just records

P.S. At any time we are ready to give Nikolai Baskov the opportunity to express his opinion on this scandalous situation.

It's almost the middle of summer, and the Basques haven't really swum yet. Job! In October, he ordered to wait for big concerts in the Kremlin, so now he rehearses from dawn to dusk. And another 40 years is coming soon - it’s not customary to celebrate, but it’s impossible not to think about these special numbers for a man ...

"I feel like I'm 23"

— Nikolai, summer is in the yard. Are you going on vacation?

“There will be no vacation this year. Unless I will break out for a few days - I have global concerts coming up. The Kremlin will host my show, which is called "The Game". All forces are thrown there, it is necessary to rehearse! The show will be solid, bright. Yes, and September is dense: both the festival of humor in Sochi, and " New wave» there. And also the children's "New Wave" in Yalta in August. The dates are all booked. Plus, my project on television in a new format - "Saturday Night" - will also take a lot of shooting days.

- And I saw a photo on your Instagram - you have a healthy fish in your hands. Are you a fisherman?

Yes, I love fishing. And various extreme types of recreation too. And he used to go skiing. But it's all spontaneous when friends call: "Let's go diving with us!" If there are two or three free days why not take a break from everything that surrounds you?

- On the poster of your new show, you take off your mask. What is he new Nicholas?

- And you will find out at the concert. In the show, I try on the masks of different heroes - people who believe in love, are disappointed in it, fight for it, sacrifice themselves. Each of us uses masks in life depending on the situation. Probably, we are natural only at home when we fall asleep in our own bed. And when we wake up.

- You used to always celebrate your anniversaries with pomp. And this time, I heard that on the eve of your 40th birthday, you plan to run away from everyone. Do you support superstition?

- It's a frontier. Both physical and psychological. Like most men, I don't want to celebrate 40 years. Most likely, I will go somewhere for a few days, just to be alone, to spend this time alone with myself. Without a mask.

Do you take this figure calmly or with some horror?

“It’s not calm, but I can’t change anything. It remains only to go forward. There is no way back. I feel myself on the strength of 23. Wrinkles, however, give out a little.

"I needed a break"

- What is the most important event in life for you - that's right, the peak of happiness?

- If I were offered to repeat the path that I went to my age, I would not agree. I would choose whichever is next. It is impossible at the age of 40 to say about your main achievements, because you approach actions, relationships differently, reconsider life situations, behavior in them. Yes, 40 years is a lot of baggage. And I want to scatter half of this baggage in my 40s and take only the most positive with me. And leave everything unnecessary.

— You seem so airy, successful. Is there a lot of unnecessary accumulated?

- Yes, there is not a single one on earth human lung and good luck! I have not met such people. Maybe that's why my show is called The Game. It is much more pleasant to play happy, even if it is given through difficulties.

- Have you ever experienced a feeling of boredom from the fact that everything has already been and there is nothing to wish for?

I haven't toured in seven years! At 22 I entered the stage of the Bolshoi Theatre, at 24 I gave my first concerts in the Rossiya Concert Hall, I had a busy tour schedule. And then I realized that I needed a break to prepare for something else to say to the viewer. I needed a break. And now, thank God, it is technologically possible to show the show that you want. Not just an artist standing on stage. Forces, money, a lot of directorial work have been invested in the "Game". And there is no boredom. So many ideas! It would be enough, most importantly, for all health.

- Many years ago you had a legendary interview with the magazine Rolling stone when you agreed to drink alcohol during the conversation. Are you still capable of such hooliganism?

— I would say that it was not hooliganism.

Maybe a performance?

- Youthful stupidity. From me, as from any artist, you can expect anything - the artist is always unpredictable.

- Since childhood, you have been living in the world of spotlights, bouquets from fans. You probably don’t touch life at all?

“Actually, I am a very simple person. For example, I pack my own bags because I want to know what kind of things I take. I have no right to demand responsibility from people for what is purely my personal: clothes, food, something else. Yes, on stage I seem inaccessible, pompous, pretentious. Let me be perceived that way! But I am happy that when people recognize me personally, they say: “My God, you are a completely different person.” And after meeting with me, many treat me differently. They fall in love, they want to be friends, to be around more often. I am very cheerful in companies, I like to create an atmosphere. I like to enjoy life and I want people around me to rejoice.

I'm delaying my marriage so as not to stumble upon the rake again. For me, my marriage has become an open wound.

- When everyone wants to be friends, isn't it tiring?

- Any artist has such a problem: even close friends expect a holiday and fireworks from him. It's laid down by fate. I understand that I have no right to look tired and tortured. People want solar energy. And, if I can give it, I go to meetings, holidays. But if I feel that the batteries are dead, I'd better stay at home and stay alone or with people close to me.

Do you know the feeling of being alone in a crowd?

- Certainly. If the artist does not sometimes feel lonely and stay alone with himself, then he will not be able to go out to people, crave meeting them. We must be hungry for fellowship.

- Have you ever had to go out to the public when you don’t feel like it at all?

- It often happens. You can lie in the dressing room without strength. But, as soon as you cross the wings, after 5 - 7 minutes an extraordinary resource is turned on. Forget about everything! Many times I saw very big stars - they stood backstage, and I thought: “Wow, how tired, he can hardly stand ...” And young women or men fluttered onto the stage! Although many were over 80.

- They say that everything in your show business is built on hypocrisy. The race for leadership, the battle for the ethers ...

- Somehow they took me away from the shooting, I woke up in the hospital and came to my senses for a month. I had peritonitis appendicitis. At that moment, I realized that nothing had changed in my life, nothing had escaped anywhere. And there is nothing more important than health. Therefore, all this swarming ... It's just ambition creative person. If the artist does not have them, then there will be no artist. It's like a sport, you need to approach it calmly. There is a winner, and there is a silver or bronze medalist. Why envy another person? Everyone has their own destiny.

- You often act in films. It does not bother you that you are usually called to roles that intersect with yours. in a stage way?

- I love it. Of course, any artist wants to play Hamlet. But that means I'm self-sufficient vivid image if they want to exploit it.

"I do not renounce marriage"

— Last years you appear everywhere with Sophia. And more than once they said that you have a guest marriage - see each other often, but live separately. Do you admit that someday it will flow into the usual one - with a registry office, a wedding?

- Now we will pass my forty-year milestone, and then life will show. Under 40 I like mine.

- Well, yes, usually men like them, but women do not.

- You know, marriage has become so obsolete ... This stamp in the passport ... No one will give a guarantee. Look how many couples get married suddenly! And how many people get divorced after 15-20 years of marriage?! The last thing that shocked -. No one thought that they would get divorced! Therefore, using the example of many of my acquaintances and friends, I understand that you need to be happy today and not think about what will happen tomorrow.

You grew up in a complete, traditional family. How did you manage to persuade your parents to take it easy that you have a guest marriage? Or are they accustomed to the quirks of an artist son?

- They just had enough of my first marriage at 7.5 years. I had him. It had its pros and cons. The only thing I can say is no need to rush into young age marry. Still, it leaves a certain imprint on a person. Maybe someone can happy marriage and people together all their lives. But for me, my marriage has become an open wound. Therefore, maybe I'm delaying the moment of marriage so as not to stumble on a rake again. But I don't hesitate. You can get married at any time. How to get divorced.

- Would you like to have children in the near future?

- I really want children, I think about it. In the near future, in any case, I will have them. I think within a year or two for sure.

- What helps you to bounce back when your strength runs out and you don’t know what to do next? Locking up with a bottle of vodka, call Montserrat Caballe?

— I have a confessor. The man has known me for many years. Close person, with which, if it's hard for me, I just fly, for example, to Jerusalem. When I am in the Holy Land, I have something to talk about with God. This is the moment that gives me the opportunity to re-energize.

- So you are churched?

- When I was expelled from GITIS, I really wanted to enter the Gnessin Academy. Between the conservatory and the Gnesinka there was a little church. Grandmothers were sitting there begging for alms. I passed by, gave it to one grandmother, and she told me: “Son, go to church. Ask for what you want and it will come true." "Whom to ask?" - "Yes, here at Nicholas the Wonderworker." And I began to go every day before entering the church and ask the Savior and Nicholas the Wonderworker to take me to the Gnessin Academy. And, as soon as I did, I realized that faith became an integral part of my life, because I realized that the Lord hears me.

Do you know prayers, do you keep fasts?

— I like to read the Psalter very much, I always observe Holy Week. I fly to Corfu (an island in Greece, famous for its monasteries. - Auth.). I love to celebrate Easter there. Listen, the soul also needs food - spiritual! I love listening to akathists (special church hymns to the glory of the Savior, the Mother of God and the saints. - Auth.). I turn on my headphones when I'm on a plane. It gives me peace and strength.

Private bussiness

Born October 15, 1976 in near Moscow Balashikha in the family of a military man and a teacher. From the 3rd to the 7th grade he studied in Novosibirsk. From the age of 11 he performed on the stage of the Children's Musical Theater of the Young Actor. Graduated from the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music in the class of chamber and opera singing, postgraduate studies at the Moscow Conservatory, Faculty of Management of Moscow State University. He was a soloist of the troupe of the Bolshoi Theater, a student of Montserrat Caballe. Winner of many awards, TV presenter. National artist RF. In 2001 - 2008 he was married to Svetlana Shpigel, the daughter of his producer. A son was born in the marriage mutual agreement Basque does not maintain relations with him. IN different years Nikolai had affairs with Oksana Fedorova, Anastasia Volochkova. Since 2014, the artist has been dating singer Sophie Kalcheva.

"A game". show Nikolay Baskov.
State Kremlin Palace
October 7 - 8

In late autumn, an idle viewer, switching channels, could not help but stumble upon this clip, where a young man with a peach complexion diligently sang Italian words. ╚Nikolai Baskov ╚In memory of Caruso╩ √ read the caption. Controversy erupted in music circles. Someone claimed that the young man did not sing himself, someone accused him of sugariness and pop, and brutal rockers simply wrinkled their noses.

The first video was followed by the second, then the third, and on March 23, Nikolai Baskov gives his first solo concert at the State Central Concert Hall ╚Russia╩. The concert is timed to coincide with the release of the singer's debut album ╚Dedication╩, and considerable effort has been invested in it: opera prima Lyubov Kazarnovskaya, the dance ensemble led by Igor Moiseev, the Presidential Orchestra and many others will take part in the concert. In addition, our hero, it turns out, is not so simple: an artist of the Bolshoi Theater, traveled half the world with concerts, studied with the greatest singers of the twentieth century.

All this, of course, gives rise to curiosity. We call up the singer, arrange a meeting: ╚Okay, let's meet in a cafe, next to the Metelitsa casino. It says ╚Race Racing╩ and something related to coffee╩. At the appointed time, I approach the appointed place and find that key words are written on two adjacent doors in order of priority, but the doors lead to completely different establishments. In neither one nor the other is there anything resembling Nikolai Baskov. I smoke viciously in the middle - on the street, under wet snow, when suddenly I see a wonderful picture: a young man in a luxurious fur coat to toe and with mobile phone in hand. Recovering from such magnificence, I call out - indeed, he is. We settle into a cafe, I continue to look at him: short, very blond hair, there really is something soft and feminine in features, dressed in a stylish and obviously expensive suit. Having dealt with dessert, we start a conversation:

- First of all, tell us a little about yourself. Where were you born when you started making music?

And it is necessary? I was born in Moscow, I traveled a lot with my parents around the country, since my father served. Studied in regular music school, then at the music school at the conservatory in Novosibirsk, then, from eleven to fifteen years old, at the musical theater of the Young Actor. At the age of sixteen or seventeen, I studied at GITIS, then, since I dreamed of singing, I entered Russian academy music to them. Gnesins. Now I am a fourth-year student, because I took an academic leave due to concert trips.

- Did you want to become a musician yourself or is it the will of your parents?

No, well, of course, mother from the very early childhood sat me at the piano - thought that I would be a great pianist. Then they made an athlete out of me. I am a professional swimmer, I have the second category, I was engaged in surfing and scuba diving. He began to study vocals at the age of sixteen. I have my own teacher, with whom I study constantly, and those of the greats of this world with whom I met made some corrections of their own.

- With whom exactly from the "great ones of this world" do you know?

With many. With Jose Carreras, with Evgeny Svetlanov, with Western conductors; with "our" opera stars√ with Lyubov Kazarnovskaya, for example, we even have a joint project (by the way, the duet of Baskov and Kazarnovskaya will be performed at a concert on March 23 √ Z.R).

- And with Galina Vishnevskaya?

We do not know each other personally, but I attended her master classes. Most of all I was struck by the meeting with Carreras. When I sang in his honor, he gave a standing ovation, and then, when we met, he spoke very simply and on an equal footing. He said that he started with classical and ends with pop music, and I can start with popular pop and end with classics - it won't hurt. Invited to his master class in Spain.

- And why, in fact, did you decide to engage in pop music? You are an opera singer.

In the West, there is such a tendency - all opera singers, and tenors in particular, combine classical singing with a variety show. In New York, I got on the Sarah Brightman show, and it struck me that Opera singer performs both pop and classical. But the press never releases any barbs at her, because she is a very professional person. And I thought, why don't I try this? I realized that I can, and it turns out professionally. Many recording studios were interested in what I was doing and offered to collaborate.

Yes, but the specificity of our show business is in its division into genres. And an artist who once declared himself in "pop" may simply not be washed off this stigma later.

Everything changes in our life. We must do our job professionally, and then history will show. Utyosov also got it at first, and then he was declared a genius. I think the most important thing is health and a favorite thing. It's enough for me that I go out on the opera stage and start singing. When you are called for an encore seven times and are given a standing ovation, it says a lot. On recent concerts The audience does not meet with applause, but with silence, like: “Well, let's see what you can really do. The clip is, of course, good, beautiful, but let's listen live╩. But I judge by the way they see me off, and I'm satisfied.

- Who are your favorite composers?

Moscani, Verdi and Tchaikovsky.

- What is your current opera repertoire, and what else would you like to sing?

I now have two parts ready - Lensky in "Eugene Onegin" and Alfred in "La Traviata". I also teach Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly and plan to sing Cavaradossi in Tosca later. But since I am still very young, many people say that the most important thing is that I do not rush. That is, everything is in order, but everything should be measured. If you feel that you are ready to sing, then you should sing. My dream is to sing Radames in ╚Aida╩, Othello, by the age of 32-33.

Career opera singer begins at twenty-seven or twenty-eight, especially with a tenor. Western artists were generally surprised how I sing at twenty-two.

You are the youngest performer of Lensky's part at the Bolshoi Theatre. Why do you think the Russian opera has such a situation that the roles of young characters are sung by people of very middle age and by no means the first freshness?

Now the level of professionalism has fallen in Russia. We have a lot of talented young opera singers, but they all leave for the West. And people of the old school remain to sing. Opera is such a genre. In the West, they believe that if you are young and talented, then some technical problems with vocals that you have will disappear and be polished during your life. The public and the press understand this.

- Aren't you aspiring to the West?

Maybe Russia would not have seen me, because there was a period when I was ready to leave. After speaking at the President's Club in America, proposals came. But I am a patriot, and then, I have many friends here, my parents.

I want to represent Russia in the West, and if people don't see me as a snob, I'll be happy.

- In what language is it easier for you to sing?

Of course, in Italian. Many experts believe that I have an Italian school - I inherited the style of singing from my teacher. The Italian public is the most demanding, and although they said that I was young and I had to work hard, everyone was sure that I studied in Italy. I also do well in Russian.

- Do you have any idols?

On the one hand, Mario Lanza. On the other hand, Pavarotti. I like what he is doing now, it is worthy of admiration and admiration. A man at 65 in such great vocal form! He may sing better or worse, but he is Pavarotti. Of ours - Kazarnovskaya, Borodin, I love Bashmet very much.

- Why was ╚In Memory of Caruso chosen as the debut?╩

It was the first song I sang and recorded. I sang it always and everywhere. And once, when I was singing it, the Tchaikovsky hall would not let me go for twenty minutes. I thought that this song would penetrate the hearts of people, but I did not even imagine that it would give such a resonance. When it all started, no one even thought about it. At first we wanted to call the album ╚In Memory of Caruso╩, but, since it is very diverse, we settled on the name ╚Dedication╩. The album includes very interesting songs - from "Good bye my love, good bye" by Demis Roussos, the Russian text for which was written by Delfin, to a song to the music of Evgeny Martynov.

From the author: Tickets for the concert on March 23 sold out before they went on sale. Due to such demand, Nikolai Baskov will give three more concerts. On April 15-16-17, everyone will be able to make sure that Basque sings himself, and sings well.