Opera Singer. A tenor, he is remembered for his long career in the principal theatres of his country. Raised in what was then the Soviet Union, he graduated from the Latvian State Conservatory in 1960 and after further training in Bulgaria joined the Latvian National Opera (LNO). Over the years he sang the tenor leads of works both familiar and obscure, his assignments including Manrico of Verdi's "Il Trovatore", the bullfighter Don Jose in Bizet's "Carmen", Herman from Tchaikovsky's "The Queen of Spades", the tragic clown Canio of Leoncavallo's "I Pagliacci", Radames in Verdi's "Aida", the Pretender from Mussorgsky's "Boris Godunov", Riccardo in Verdi's "Un Ballo in Maschera", and the title leads of Benjamin Britten's "Peter Grimes" and Verdi's "Otello". In addition, Mr. Zarins was a well-known recital and oratorio artist who received praise for his performances in Verdi's "Manzoni Requiem", the Mozart Requiem, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, and other works; though based in Riga throughout his time before the public, he appeared throughout the Soviet Union, including an extended engagement at Moscow's Bolshoi Opera from 1970 until 1980. His honors were many including the State Prize of the Latvian SSR in 1974, 1976 designation as People's Artist of the USSR, and in 2005 the Great Music Award for Lifetime Achievement. A longtime visiting professor at his alma mater, he directed the LNO in 1990 and 1991, and, possessing a voice of remarkable longevity for a tenor, performed as late as 2006. Mr. Zarins died following a protracted illness leaving a significant legacy of both 'live' and studio recordings.
Opera Singer. A tenor, he is remembered for his long career in the principal theatres of his country. Raised in what was then the Soviet Union, he graduated from the Latvian State Conservatory in 1960 and after further training in Bulgaria joined the Latvian National Opera (LNO). Over the years he sang the tenor leads of works both familiar and obscure, his assignments including Manrico of Verdi's "Il Trovatore", the bullfighter Don Jose in Bizet's "Carmen", Herman from Tchaikovsky's "The Queen of Spades", the tragic clown Canio of Leoncavallo's "I Pagliacci", Radames in Verdi's "Aida", the Pretender from Mussorgsky's "Boris Godunov", Riccardo in Verdi's "Un Ballo in Maschera", and the title leads of Benjamin Britten's "Peter Grimes" and Verdi's "Otello". In addition, Mr. Zarins was a well-known recital and oratorio artist who received praise for his performances in Verdi's "Manzoni Requiem", the Mozart Requiem, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, and other works; though based in Riga throughout his time before the public, he appeared throughout the Soviet Union, including an extended engagement at Moscow's Bolshoi Opera from 1970 until 1980. His honors were many including the State Prize of the Latvian SSR in 1974, 1976 designation as People's Artist of the USSR, and in 2005 the Great Music Award for Lifetime Achievement. A longtime visiting professor at his alma mater, he directed the LNO in 1990 and 1991, and, possessing a voice of remarkable longevity for a tenor, performed as late as 2006. Mr. Zarins died following a protracted illness leaving a significant legacy of both 'live' and studio recordings.
Bio by: Bob Hufford
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