In literal translation, the word “museum” means “temple of the Muses”. This importance is directly related to the Ermolova Museum, because the contribution of Maria Nikolaevna Yermolova to the development of the Russian theater can hardly be exaggerated. Her work inspired and forced to think about important issues in the life of every person. Muse for many directors and colleagues in the acting department. The actress has collected a whole collection of amazing images on the stage, creating her own virtual museum. That is why the organization of the museum named after M. N. Yermolova herself is more than natural, and very important.
Where is it?
The House-Museum of M. N. Yermolova in Moscow is a museum that illustrates one of the brightest pages of the theatrical life of the city and Russia. It is located in the center of the capital, in its historical part, on one of the most famous and oldest streets - Tverskoy Boulevard. The exact address of the house-museum of Yermolova in Moscow: Tverskoy Boulevard, 11.
This place is very close to threeMoscow metro stations: Tverskoy, Chekhovskaya and Pushkinskaya. The Yermolova House Museum is only part of a large constellation of theater museums in Moscow. This "constellation", along with it, includes a large number of other branches: the Theater Museum. Bakhrushina - the main house and the carriage house; house-museums of Shchepkin and Ostrovsky; museum-apartments of Meyerhold, Ulanova and Pluchek; museum-apartment of the Mironovs-Menaker and others.
The history of the creation of the house-museum of M. N. Yermolova in Moscow
The house on Tverskoy Boulevard, 11 traces its history back to the 1770s. It is believed that here was the headquarters of one of the Masonic lodges, and its owner himself was a Freemason.
Under the first of the well-known owners, State Councilor Zvyagintsev, the house was rebuilt, at first it was two-story, then it increased to three floors, it was supplemented with a mezzanine and a glazed bay window.
Under the next owner, captain-engineer Romeiko, an additional outbuilding was built on the estate, which had a balcony and was connected to the main building by a covered passage.
In the 19th century, the house with a mezzanine passed into the possession of the lawyer N. P. Shubinsky, the husband of Maria Nikolaevna Yermolova.
This house is connected with the history of Freemasonry by a legend that exists among Muscovites about a ghost. It is believed that Shubinsky bought the house already with him. But the origin of the ghost is associated with the murder that occurred in the mansion. Some believe it was suicide. But everyone agrees on one reason: unhappy love. Why not a plot for a tragedy? But MariaNikolaevna Ermolova was a tragic actress. Perhaps this story found an echo in her soul.
The actress lived in a house on Tverskoy Boulevard until 1928 (almost 30 years). Then her daughter lived here. And in the 70s of the twentieth century, the house-museum of Yermolova settled in three rooms. After 16 years, the house was completely transferred to the museum.
Display on the first floor
… entering through the main entrance to the house, you immediately find yourself in the last century… Waxed parquet. A floorboard creaks… a table under a lampshade… silver coasters… chairs in covers… it seems that just now they were sitting here and having tea. (From visitor reviews)
The rooms of little Masha and her parents were in the basement. And by coincidence (or not coincidence), an exposition dedicated to the childhood and adolescence of the future actress. Here are exhibited materials related to the life of the Yermolov family, with Masha's years of study at the Theater School.
Exposition of the second floor
The enfilade of rooms on the second floor is the ceremonial premises in which Yermolova received the most famous representatives of culture and art of her era. The most beautiful rooms from the front interiors are the “Yellow Living Room” and the office.
All rooms are recreated with historical accuracy, but the study that was photographed during Yermolova's lifetime has the greatest similarity, and this photograph has been preserved intact. It was along this line that the restoration of the premises proceeded.
On the same floor, Maria Nikolaevna Yermolova's dressing room at the Maly Theater was recreated from descriptions and photographs. This recreation was simplenecessary, because most of the life of the actress took place in it and on stage. It was her "star kingdom" and her secluded corner where the actress could tune in, think about the role and listen to her feelings, sensations, experiences.
Behind the dressing room is the actress's husband's office. There was his work space. From the office of N. P. Shubinsky there is an exit to the Winter Garden. Through the garden, visitors enter the "White Hall" - the place where Maria Nikolaevna hosted secular society, spent holidays and evenings for her guests and friends.
The exposition of the Yermolova's house-museum on Tverskoy Boulevard presents materials from the creative rise of the great actress. And the first room of the enfilade is dedicated to her debut performance.
Exposition of the third floor
On the third floor, where an old wooden staircase leads, the dining room, where M. N. Ermolova and N. P. Shubinsky organized friendly evenings, was recreated almost authentically. This usually happened on Saturdays, when the theater had a day off. Further down the floor is the "Green Living Room" and the actress's bedroom.
In the living room stands, miraculously preserved, the piano on which Maria Nikolaevna played music. This room also has a balcony overlooking Tverskoy Boulevard. Maria Nikolaevna was very fond of looking from this balcony at the processions that took place along Tverskoy Boulevard on holidays. In the house-museum of Yermolova, the bedroom is the place that in the last years of the star's life was a corner from which the actress almost did not leave. There she ispassed away.
Star Destiny: She Whose Name…
Maria Nikolaevna Yermolova is the star of the national scene of the 19th century. A native of Moscow, she was born in the family of an employee of the Maly Theater.
Began her professional training with mastering the art of ballet. But the teachers did not find any special dancing talents in her. However, everyone noted her bright dramatic abilities, which manifested themselves in amateur performances. They put on performances with their friends in their free time.
The environment in which Mary moved played a special role in the formation of dramatic skills. Participating in mass ballet scenes, the aspiring actress had the opportunity to observe the work of the titans of the dramatic art of her time.
Maria Yermolova played her first dramatic role at the age of 13 in her father's benefit performance. And at the age of 17 - in the benefit of Nadezhda Medvedeva. It should be noted that the first appearance of the girl on the stage was not noticed. The second one was very successful. After graduating from the Theater School, Yermolova enters the Maly Theater as an actress. In the 1870s wrote texts for creative meetings with famous figures of culture and art and led them. These meetings attracted special attention of critics to M. N. Yermolova.
In the last decade of the 19th century, she played in performances based on the plays of the Symbolists. One of the most striking roles of this period can be called Vassa Zheleznova from the play by A. M. Gorky.
In 1902 she was awarded the title of Honored Artist of the Imperial Theaters, and in 1920 - People's Artist of the Republic. Parallel toacting career M. N. Ermolova was engaged in teaching acting skills.
Maria Ermolova was lonely: her husband, lawyer N. P. Shubinsky, whom she met back in the 1870s, died early. Yermolova lived with her daughter. She died at the age of 75, and was buried in Vladykino, and later reburied.
Basic collection
The exposition of Yermolova's house-museum consists of authentic things that belonged to the famous tragic actress and her husband. Some of them were saved thanks to the daughter of Maria Nikolaevna M. N. Zelenina. This part is the furnishings of three whole rooms on the third floor and many exhibits. Probably, these are things of family and personal life.
In addition, items from the theatrical life of Yermolova are also presented here: her costumes, props, props, etc. The exposition of the first and second floors exhibits authentic posters reflecting the theatrical life of the actress and photographs telling about her family. The original furniture has also been preserved. The type-setting parquets in the mansion are no less interesting than the furniture, and are very well preserved. In Yermolova's office, for a long time, the ancient lilac stained glass, inserted into the frame during the first owner of the house, was cherished. It was later replaced with a normal one.
Museum Today
The historic "White Hall" of the Yermolova House-Museum in Moscow still hosts concerts and creative evenings, performances and theater meetings.
Chamber performances, according to visitors, are very homely in atmosphere and take place in the amazing "Greenliving room." The performance of the actors taking part in them corresponds to the classical performing style of Yermolova's times.
It's like moving in a time machine. Excellent exhibition, lots of interesting things. Everything was preserved as if the hostess had recently left the house and is about to return. (From visitor reviews)
On New Year's holidays, the event "Christmas in Yermolova's house" is held here every year with dressing up and decorating the Christmas tree. And for children, a home Christmas tree is organized, such as it was in noble families until 1917.
In the summer, free concerts are held in a cozy courtyard.
