Lviv. The Solomiia Krushelnytska Museum — an exhibition, cultural and creative centre in the music-salon flat of a star of the opera stage

In 2022 it was 150 years since the birth and 70 years since the death of the great Ukrainian Solomiia Krushelnytska. She was called the Wagnerian prima donna, the most enchanting Butterfly, the ideal singer. In her lifetime she was recognised as the most outstanding opera performer in the world for her acting talent, her consummate performing art and her inborn beauty. She performed demanding parts in eight languages, but considered Ukrainian her mother tongue. Into the programme of her concerts Solomiia always included Ukrainian folk songs. Her lyric-dramatic soprano accompanies the tour of the music and memorial museum, housed in Lviv in the flat where, from 1903 to 1952, this outstanding opera singer of the 20th century lived.

Lviv. The Solomiia Krushelnytska Music and Memorial Museum

At the age of 30 Solomiia Krushelnytska bought for her family a stone town-house dating from 1884. The ground floor was let to artists who were on tour in Lviv. On the second floor lived the singer's family. The third floor was occupied by the servants and by students of the conservatory where Solomiia Amvrosiivna taught.

 

In 1939 the Soviet authorities nationalised the opera diva's property. The prima donna, who had performed in triumph in the finest theatres of Europe and the world, was left with 4 rooms. During the Nazi occupation the world-famous artist lived in want, and in the totalitarian Soviet period she endured material hardship, lawlessness and humiliation, and could not count on any social assistance.

 

Lviv. The flat of Solomiia Krushelnytska

Solomiia Krushelnytska is buried in Lychakiv Cemetery, beside her friend Ivan Franko.

Lviv. Lychakiv Cemetery. The grave of Solomiia Krushelnytska

Krushelnytska's niece, O. K. Bandrivska, devoted her whole life to preserving the memory of Solomiia and was the founder of the singer's museum. In 1989 a museum opened in the opera performer's dwelling, in which are kept photographic documents, playbills, sheet music, awards and personal belongings.

Lviv. The Solomiia Krushelnytska Music and Memorial Museum. The museum interiors

In the museum halls there is a collection of photographs and portraits of the elegant and beautiful lady at various ages. But the chief exhibit of this cultural institution is the enchanting voice of the celebrated Ukrainian woman, which creates the sense of her presence.

Lubomyr Medvid. "Solomiia Krushelnytska"

Pussi Karnytska. "Solomiia Krushelnytska"

Yaroslava Muzyka. "Solomiia Krushelnytska"

Yaroslava Muzyka. "Solomiia Krushelnytska"

Photographic portraits of Solomiia Krushelnytska. Early 20th century

In the music salon there take place creative meetings with musicologists, vocal concerts, themed evenings, lectures and conferences.

A concert by the opera soloist Svitlana Razina and the pianist Iryna Kirchanova

The museum hall of the music salon on Solomiia Krushelnytska Street in Lviv

The street on which the star of the opera stage lived for almost half a century was renamed in her honour only in 1993. The totalitarian Soviet machine systematically destroyed Ukrainian culture and history. Krushelnytska's glorious art was passed over, and her name was consigned to oblivion.

 

Lviv. Solomiia Krushelnytska Street, 23

On the facade of the building a highly artistic bas-relief of Solomiia Krushelnytska has been installed. The author is the sculptor E. P. Mysko.

 

Lviv. Solomiia Krushelnytska Street, 23. The memorial bas-relief of Solomiia Krushelnytska

The music and memorial museum is located in Lviv, a kilometre to the west of Rynok Square and the City Hall. Solomiia Krushelnytska Street, 23, second floor.