Bobrov, Elisey Petrovich

Elisha Bobrov came from soldiers' children and at first was among the students of the Imperial trellis manufactory, and then was accepted into the imperial theater. When and how this happy event happened, various sources report in different ways: The Krugosvet encyclopedia and others assure that on December 1, 1799 he was accepted into the troupe with a salary of 250 rubles. per year, in a state-owned apartment with firewood ^{[2] [3]} . Other sources insist: was adopted on the Petersburg scene on December 21, 1799 on the role of noble fathers, with a salary of 1800 p. and annual benefit. The "Big Biographical Encyclopedia" just in case gives out both options ^[4] . All agree on one thing: at the very end of 1799, Yelisey Petrovich Bobrov was accepted for official work in the imperial drama troupe.

At first, he played the roles of tyrants and confidants in tragedies and comedies . But in connection with the death of V.F. Rykalov on January 9, 1813, Prince Shakhovsky ordered Bobrov to be transferred to comedians and to convey to him the comic roles of V.F. Rykalov. There is a legend about such a conversation between them:

Shakhovskoy turned to B .: “Well, Elisey Petrovich, now, by all rights, you should take Rykalov’s place”; - “Have mercy, prince, but I will be ridiculous in these roles,” B. replied. “This is what I need!” The prince objected; Thus, in a simple speech B. Shakhovskaya guessed his comic talent ^{[3] [4]} .

Shakhovskaya discerned in Bobrov an innate comic talent. Even his clumsy, thick figure and rustic face with a touch of naive good nature were the best suited to comedy roles. Indeed, with an excellent performance of comic scenes, Bobrov created the glory of the first Russian comedian of the first quarter of the 19th century, whose talent value was compared with the great Moscow artist Shchepkin. Contemporaries claimed: when M.S. Shchepkin came to St. Petersburg in 1825, in the theater group they compared the play of both comedians as equal in strength of talent, without giving Shchepkin a decisive preference over Bobrov ^[4] . Nevertheless, historical injustice has led to the fact that the name of Mikhail Semenovich Shchepkin has always remained in the history of the Russian theater forever, and the name of Elisey Petrovich Bobrov has mercilessly erased the memory of the following generations.

“The personalities of Moliere's simpletons approached his rustic figure and good-natured physiognomy,” recalled P. A. Karatygin ^{[2] [3] [4]} . Never resorting to farce, Bobrov delved into the character of his character. Inheriting the role of V.F. Rykalov, he never resorted to the eccentric, the farcical tricks that abounded by the tricks of his predecessor, but looked for his natural forms of expression.

In total, Yelisey Petrovich Bobrov worked on the stages of St. Petersburg and from time to time came to Moscow with performances for 30 years, playing in the plays of Moliere , Zagoskin , Shakhovsky, Kapnist, Beaumarchais and other authors of the time.

E.P. Bobrov was buried at the Smolensk cemetery in St. Petersburg. Among the roles in the plays:

• " Tradesman in the nobility " Moliere ,
• "Swagger of Tranzhirin" by A. Shakhovsky ,
• "Bogatonov, or Provincial in the capital" Zagoskin - Bogatonov ,
• "Quarrels, or Two Neighbors" by V.V. Kapnista ,
• "Yabed" by V.V. Kapnist,
• "Parties of scientists" Zagoskin - Volgin ,
• "Good Small" Zagoskin - Ladov
• " Undergrowth " by D. I. Fonvizin - Skotinin
• The "Foreman" by D. I. Fonvizin
• The School of Slander by R. B. Sheridan

• Umansky A.M. Bobrov, Elisey Petrovich // Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron : 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - SPb. , 1890-1907.
• Bobrov, Elisey Petrovich // Russian Biographical Dictionary : in 25 volumes. - SPb. , 1908. - T. 3: Betancourt - Byakster. - S. 123-124.

• Biographical Dictionary. Bobrov Elisey Petrovich
• Biography.ru