Xenia Belmas

Xenia Alexandrovna Belmas (; c. 23 January 1890 – 2 February 1981) was a Ukrainian soprano, born in Chernihiv, Ukraine. She was married to Ukrainian conductor Alexander Kitschin. Once the doyenne of the Paris Opera Company, she was also a recording star with more than 80 records to her credit. Belmas received her first lessons in singing from her mother and older sister. At this time she married a wealthy landowner which enabled her to continue her training at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow under the direction of maestro Emil Kuper. After losing her home as well as both her parents during the Russian Revolution and then also her husband during the Russian Civil War, This tour, in collaboration with the La Scala Opera Company, Milan, took place in 1928,

By the time the company reached Sydney, many cast changes had been announced. Australians who had been promised leading roles were not used, which led to some critics labelling it as an Italian conspiracy. Among others, Giannina Arangi-Lombardi replaced Belmas as Santuzza in Pietro Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana, which had been the Russian soprano's only role up to that time on the tour. Although Lombardi sang well, critics still maintained that there was no reason to have "engineered" the replacements. Belmas ended up giving recitals during the rest of the season before returning to Europe disappointed,

Move to South Africa (1934) Photo taken during the production of The Tales of Hoffmann in Durban in 1964, consisting of many students of Xenia BelmasUpon returning from Australia, Belmas continued her career which took her on tours of France, Germany, Poland, Monte Carlo (1931), the Baltic States (1932) and Scandinavia.

Belmas celebrated her 80th birthday on 6 February 1971.

She died in Durban, South Africa, on 2 February 1981 of cancer. and Lebendige Vergangenheit: Xenia Belmas II.

Media Rose Barnett (Soprano); George van Wyngaard (Tenor); Alphonso Lee (Baritone); Xenia Belmas (Mezzo-Soprano); Walter Heinen (Bass) & Louis Kearney (2nd Tenor). Accompanist: Violet Fayle. The recording was made at the South African Broadcasting Company in Durban (South Africa) on 10 October 1961. The orchestra was conducted by her husband, Alexander Kitchin.