Rachmaninov and Chaliapin. Life and fate of two Russian musicians.

J. L. Gamallo. The Revolution of 1917 was a brutal and radical transformation of the Russian Empire,that of Tsar from authoritarianism  of Tsar  ran to a relentless and bloody dictatorship, as has been known virtually no other in history. The arts and culture shining moment, linked in with the Russian tradition, who had lived Russia in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, with exquisite and cultured elites, completely westernized, with St. Petersburg as splendid setting disappeared. A new working class replaced the nobility and the bourgeoisie as the ruling element, and set out to settle the ancient and venerable structure, plunging Russia into bloodshed and destruction. To escape the situation that Russia was heading, many people decided to take the road of exile, and at first revolutionary, or having seen some sympathy with the revolution, before the turn out was taking Russian too soon. The Russian Centre of Science and Culture offers us a fascinating photographic exhibition depicting scenes from the lives of two great Russian artists who took the road of exile: Serguei Rachmaninv and Feodor Chaliapin, one pianist and composer, and the other great opera singer, during the 140th anniversary of his birth. For lovers of early photography, history, music and culture is an unavoidable business exposure. From social and geographical environments completely opposite, his life and destiny will know sometimes very similar circumstances. The exhibition is divided into 8 blocks.The first section, Children and Youth shows the early life of both artists. Rachmaninov was born in a noble family and educated in a musical and artistic Conversely Chaliapin was peasant origin, had a tough childhood but with a talent natural.El second section is the Training Period, where we attended their study phase, Rachmaninov in the conservatory in Moscow. Chaliapin studied at a vocational school in Tbilisi. The third and fourth section is devoted to the joint work of both artists Opera Company in Moscow at the Bolshoi Theater. There providential meeting occurred both musicians with the refined and exquisite patron S. I. Mamontov, who also supported many musicians and artists of the time. At that time they cemented their friendship. On Top of faith we arewitness the triumph of Chaliapin in scenarios of Moscow and St. Petersburg, characterized of the characters that would make world famous: Mephistopheles Holofernes, Ivan the Terrible, Don Basilio, Don Quixote). Also occurs Rachmaninov's consecration as a pianist, conductor and composer. In the sixth section we see artistic circles artistic personalities around them and that influenced their personality, Stanislavsky, Chekhov, Bunin, Tolstoy, Gorki, Korovin, Serov, etc... The penultimate block Family Album shows the family and intimate relationships between both families. Rachmaninov was a witness at the wedding of Chaliapin and godfather of two of his children. The end Away from the homeland supposed to attend the rest of his life outside of Russia, fleeing the revolution and its great artistic and triumphant performances turn in America, Europe and Asia. Rachmaninov away in 1943 in Beverly Hills, and Chaliapin in 1938 in Paris.