Edita Piekha
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Edita Piekha | |
|---|---|
| Born | Édith/Edyta Piecha 31 July 1937 Noyelles-sous-Lens  France |
Edita Piekha (Russian: Эдита Пьеха, Edita Pyekha) (Polish: Edyta Piecha) is a popular Russian actress[1] and singer of French and Polish heritage. She was the third popular female singer, after Klavdiya Shulzhenko and Sofia Rotaru, to be named a People's Artist of the USSR (1988).
Edita Piekha is a well known public activist for humanitarian causes, and is a supporter of orphanages in Russia.
Contents |
[edit] Life and career
Edita Piekha was born in Noyelles-sous-Lens, France, in 1937, into a Polish family. Her father was Stanisław Piecha, a mining worker, and her mother was Felicja Korolewska. From 1945 to 1955 Edita Piekha lived in Poland with her mother and stepfather. There she studied music, sang with a choir, and excelled in Russian at her school, graduating at the top of her class.
In 1955 Edita Piekha moved to Leningrad to study psychology on a state scholarship.[2] From 1955 to 1957 she attended A. A. Zhdanov Leningrad State University (now known as Saint Petersburg State University). There she met composer and pianist Aleksandr Bronevitsky. Together they formed the first popular band in Russia, named Druzhba, and gave their first TV performance on New Year's Eve, December 31, 1955, with the Polish song "Autobus czerwony"[3] which became a popular hit in the USSR.
In 1956, Piekha began studying singing and composition at the Leningrad Conservatory. In 1957, the ensemble Druzhba and Edita Piekha won Gold Medal and the First Prize at the 6th World Festival of Youth and Students[4] in Moscow. There Edita Piekha made history with her performances of the popular hit Moscow Nights which she was able to sing in several languages to international audiences from 130 nations.
Edita Piekha was especially popular among international audiences because of her ability to sing and speak in many languages, such as French, German, Polish and Russian, among others. After the 6th World Festival of Youth and Students, ensemble Druzhba and Edita Piekha released several sold-out records of their songs, eventually becoming one of the most popular bands in the former Soviet Union. In 1972, Piekha and the ensemble Druzhba entertained international audiences at the XX summer Olympics in Munich. In 1976 Edita Piekha formed her own band, and remained one of the popular female singers in the USSR. She also continued performing internationally and toured over 20 countries. Over the years, Piekha made more than 30 concert tours in East Germany alone. Among the highlights of her career were her appearances at Carnegie Hall, New York and at the Paris Olympia.[5]
During the 2000s, Edita Piekha gave several performances on Russian television. She also has been giving annual birthday performances in St. Petersburg, a popular tradition she has been maintaining for many years.
Edita Piekha has been residing in St. Petersburg, Russia, since 1955. Her daughter, Ilona Bronevitskaya[6], has been a popular singer and actress in Russia. Her grandson, actor and singer Stas Piekha[7], emerged as one of the winners of the Star Factory show in 2005.
On her 70th birthday[8], Edita Piekha received an "Anniversary greeting" from the President of Russia, and was decorated with the "Order of Merits" for her lifelong contribution to music and international cultural relations of Russia.[9]
[edit] Filmography
- 1989 Muzykalnye Igry - actress, singer
- 1976 Stazher - actress
- 1975 Brillianty dlya diktatury proletariata - actress
- 1973 Neispravimy lgun - actress
- 1970 Sudba rezidenta - actress
- 1964 Kogda pesnya ne konchaetsya - actress, singer
- 1956 Masters of entertainment of Leningrad - singer
[edit] Recognition
- French Republic: Order for contribution to Peace and Art.
- Russia: Order of Friendship of People, Order of the Red Banner of Labor.
- 1998: Personal Star at the Star Square in Moscow.
- 1996: "Ovation Award", the "Living Legend" National Award of Russia.
- 1976: Honorable Diploma of the All-Russian competition of singers in Sochi.
- 1968: Gold Medal at the 9th World Festival of Youth and Students in Sofia.
- 1957: Gold Medal and Grand Prize at the 6th World Festival of Youth and Students in Moscow.
- Awarded the Nephrite Disc by recording label "Melodiya" as a bestselling recording artist.
- Honored Artist of Russia.
- People's Artist of the USSR.
[edit] Sources
- ^ Edita Piekha at the IMDb: [1]
- ^ Biography of Piecha (in Polish): [2]
- ^ Biography of Piecha (in Polish): [3]
- ^ Moscow marks 50 years since youth festival: [4]
- ^ Biography of Piecha (in Polish): [5]
- ^ Ilona Bronevitskaya at the IMDb (incomplete data): [6]
- ^ Stas Piecha at the IMDb: [7]
- ^ Singer Edita Piekha performs a concert on the occasion of her 70th birthday: [8]
- ^ Order by the President of the Russian Federation (in Russian): [9]
