Alexander Davydov (singer)

Alexander Mikhaylovich Davydov was a Russian and Soviet opera and operetta singer, later a theatre director, pedagogue and memoirist. In 1924 he was designated the Meritorious Artist of the Republic.

Israil Levenson was born in the Kobelyaki village, Poltava region, to the family of a Jewish teacher. Aged twelve he made a journey to Kiev where he started to perform, singing in cafes and restaurants. One of the musicians he made friends with, Ippolit Pryanishnikov helped the young man to join the Kiev opera choir.

Source: Wikipedia