Impresario. Born Solomon Isaievich Hurok in Pogar, Russia, he emigrated in 1906, arriving in the US penniless. He worked numerous jobs such as peddler, streetcar conductor, bottle-washer, and hardware salesman to support himself and his wife. In 1911 he persuaded violinist Efrem Zimbalist to play at a benefit for the Socialist Party. Within five years he was arranging a popular concert series "Music for the Masses." Often favoring talent from Russia, he established S. Hurok Presents management company, representing such entertainers as Isadora Duncan, Margot Fonteyn, Anna Pavlova, Mstislav Rostropovich, Arthur Rubinstein, Isaac Stern, Galina Vishnevskaya, and Efrem Zimbalist. During the 1920s and 30s, he managed American tours of the Diaghilev's Ballet Russe and the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. During the next three decades he brought theatrical companies from Europe, Russia, and Israel, to the US. In 1946 he published his autobiography, 'Impresario', the book was later adapted into film, 'Tonight We Sing' (1953). During the Cold War, he was instrumental in succeeding to bring the Bolshoi Ballet to the US for a tour, which he followed with a tour by the Kirov Ballet and the Igor Moiseyev Ballet Company. In 1969, he sold his company, but remained to actively promote concerts. In 1971, he was awarded the University of Pennsylvania Glee Club Award of Merit for his influence on American music. Three years later, he suffered a fatal heart attack in the back of his limo while on the way to a meeting. His memorial at Carnegie Hall hosted over 2,000 attendees.
Impresario. Born Solomon Isaievich Hurok in Pogar, Russia, he emigrated in 1906, arriving in the US penniless. He worked numerous jobs such as peddler, streetcar conductor, bottle-washer, and hardware salesman to support himself and his wife. In 1911 he persuaded violinist Efrem Zimbalist to play at a benefit for the Socialist Party. Within five years he was arranging a popular concert series "Music for the Masses." Often favoring talent from Russia, he established S. Hurok Presents management company, representing such entertainers as Isadora Duncan, Margot Fonteyn, Anna Pavlova, Mstislav Rostropovich, Arthur Rubinstein, Isaac Stern, Galina Vishnevskaya, and Efrem Zimbalist. During the 1920s and 30s, he managed American tours of the Diaghilev's Ballet Russe and the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. During the next three decades he brought theatrical companies from Europe, Russia, and Israel, to the US. In 1946 he published his autobiography, 'Impresario', the book was later adapted into film, 'Tonight We Sing' (1953). During the Cold War, he was instrumental in succeeding to bring the Bolshoi Ballet to the US for a tour, which he followed with a tour by the Kirov Ballet and the Igor Moiseyev Ballet Company. In 1969, he sold his company, but remained to actively promote concerts. In 1971, he was awarded the University of Pennsylvania Glee Club Award of Merit for his influence on American music. Three years later, he suffered a fatal heart attack in the back of his limo while on the way to a meeting. His memorial at Carnegie Hall hosted over 2,000 attendees.
Bio by: Iola
Advertisement
