Ivan Kozlovsky

Ivan Semyonovich Kozlovsky (24 March [O.S. 11 March] 1900 – 21 December 1993) was a Soviet lyric tenor and one of the most well known stars of Russian opera, as well a producer and director of his own opera company, and longtime teacher at the Moscow Conservatory. He received the titles of People's Artist of the USSR (1940), Hero of Socialist Labour (1980), People's Artist of Ukraine (1993), and was a laureate of Shevchenko State Prize (1990). According to Stephen Kotkin, he was Joseph Stalin's favorite singer.