Maksakov for Eurovision. Maksakova appeared at Eurovision

“ProZvezd” discussed with People’s Artist of the USSR, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Culture Iosif Kobzon the flight of his colleagues, deputies Maria Maksakova and Denis Voronenkov to Kyiv and the upcoming Eurovision.

– Joseph Davydovich, soon Eurovision will be held in Ukraine. At first they said that Alexander Panayotov would represent our country, and now Channel One has chosen Yulia Samoilova... Do you think we should go there at all?

- Definitely not! And many on the Culture Committee agree with me. If we send some artist there, we will set him up. These nationalists, who staged a coup in my homeland, beloved Ukraine, will arrange endless provocations for us.

– After all, the organizers of the competition will be there – Europeans, keeping order. Do you think they won't cope with this task?

- What are you talking about! I have already encountered these bandits operating in Ukraine. When I was performing there, there was a fire at my concert. Therefore, you can wait for anything. Why should we go to Kyiv at all? We had a great Olympics in Sochi, we showed a lot to the world, but there is no point in participating in competitions such as Eurovision.

– Singer Anastasia Prikhodko, who represented Russia at the competition in 2009, demanded that an armed escort be assigned to our delegation, hinting at disqualification. How do you think?

– Prikhodko is a Ukrainian trash (a 29-year-old girl became a member of Oleg Lyashko’s radical party 2 years ago. – Author), like Maria Maksakova, who, together with her husband, communist deputy Voronenkov, betrayed her homeland and left for Kyiv.

– Do you know how Maria’s mother, People’s Artist of Russia Lyudmila Maksakova, reacted to her daughter’s departure?

“I talked to her, she’s crying!” Lyudmila Vasilyevna does not support her daughter’s action; she cannot believe what happened at all. Her daughter became a traitor to the Motherland. They, of course, communicate, but it is very difficult for them to find a common language, they have quarreled before, I sometimes reconciled them. Masha, apparently, hopes that in Kyiv the nationalists will make a star out of her. In Russia she was an average singer, not particularly outstanding, but at the same time, I won’t lie, she is a very charming woman. Masha is from a famous family, her grandmother Maria Maksakova is a legendary opera singer, her mother is a wonderful theater and film actress. She cast a shadow on her entire family - it's a shame. I think that none of her relatives will support her in this decision.

Let us remind you that State Duma deputies 45-year-old Voronenkov and 39-year-old Maksakova left Russia in December 2016 and received a residence permit in Ukraine. A number of criminal cases were opened against Denis Nikolaevich in Moscow regarding the raider seizure of a building in the center of the capital, fraud and a number of other articles of the Criminal Code. The couple got married in March 2015, and the entire elite attended their wedding: the then Chairman of the State Duma Sergei Naryshkin, the same Joseph Kobzon, Nikolai Baskov, Boris Moiseev and, of course, Valentin Yudashkin and his wife. Not long ago, the clans of Maksakova and Yudashkin became related: Pyotr Maksakov, the son of Maria’s brother, married the fashion designer’s daughter Galina. At the wedding, they warmly congratulated the newlyweds, but now they also do not share their political positions. Maria was a member of the United Russia party, and Denis was a member of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, the bride sang at the wedding: “Lips are the color of apricot, And I sing purely. By day I love United Russia, by night I love communists.”

The widow of murdered ex-State Duma deputy Denis Voronenkov, Maria Maksakova, appeared at the semi-finals of the Eurovision Song Contest, which took place on May 11 in Kyiv. She was invited to the event by Moskovsky Komsomolets journalist Artur Gasparyan.

“For some reason it seemed to me that for therapeutic purposes it was necessary to make her such an offer. It was not without doubts and mental awkwardness that I took this desperate step,” the journalist said.

To his surprise, Voronenkov’s widow accepted the offer with joy.

“My long-standing observation has been confirmed - Masha is strong! A unique woman who takes any blows of fate at full height and with an open visor...” - Gasparyan admires the singer.

In an interview with the publication, Maksakova commented on the Eurovision semi-final, calling it “the main musical event of the year.”

“Actually, this is my first time at this competition, although it was held in Moscow and other cities where I could theoretically be. However, this is the first time that I came to see with my own eyes how it happens,” said the singer.

Maksakova said that she was happy for “our Bulgarian” - Christian Kostov, who, in her opinion, “deservedly reached the final.”

“I know that he is a Muscovite, that even on the children’s “Voice” Dima Bilan was his mentor, and in such a continuation of this young man’s career there is a certain symbolic sign of fate, given the role that “Eurovision” played in the life of Bilan himself,” she said.

In general, the singer was amazed by the atmosphere of the competition and the technical equipment of the stage.

“And in terms of the sum of my impressions, I was struck, of course, by the incredibly festive, almost carnival atmosphere and the amazing speed with which the scenery and scenic surroundings on stage changed at lightning speed. Technology, of course, is moving forward, it’s simply amazing. I remember those times in the theater when the curtain closed even on more modest changes. And, of course, this is a very colorful show: light, lasers, screens. Very impressive,” Maksakova emphasized.

In response to Gasparyan’s question whether Maksakova was going to perform at Eurovision, she replied that she would have been “two steps away from the competition” if her fate had not changed.

“We were going to continue in this format, the album was being prepared, a major label was going to release it with fanfare... So we can assume that I was already almost two steps away from Eurovision,” the singer said.

She recalled that her song “Will You Be Mine” was written by the same author as the songs for Yulia Samoilova, Polina Gagarina and Dina Garipova at Eurovision - Leonid Gutkin.

“I am now, unfortunately, chained in this material space of four dimensions. For now, you’ll have to figure out on your own how and where to move. So anything can happen - both in life and in creative aspects,” the singer added.

Let us recall that on March 23 of this year, former State Duma deputy Denis Voronenkov, who in 2016 moved to Ukraine with his wife Maria Maksakova and received Ukrainian citizenship, was killed in the center of Kyiv.

Former Russian deputy Maria Maksakova seems to have recovered from the death of her husband Denis Voronenkov and has come out into the world. The opera singer appeared in the company of a journalist at the second semi-final of Eurovision in Kyiv. Having lost 16 kg, fresh and rested (according to witnesses), she was rooting for the “Muscovite”, the representative of Bulgaria Christian Kostov.

Maria Maksakova. Photo: GLOBAL LOOK press/ Komsomolskaya Pravda

Maria said that she was attending Eurovision for the first time. Even when she lived in Moscow, she still couldn’t get on the show. That's why she always watched from the sidelines - on TV. So it was this time. Experiencing the loss of her husband Denis, Maria admitted that she was rooting for Britain.

"I liked the Irishman (Brian Murray). He was strikingly different from the other participants, it’s a pity he didn’t make it to the finals. An extremely unusual timbre. There is an altino opera, there is a tenor altino, and he has a voice that does not fall under any classification at all. Extremely unusual timbre, high. It impressed me, although in general I’m not a fan of “male sopranos.” Another woman in a red dress sang with a very beautiful voice (Anya from Denmark),” shared Maksakova.

After the departure of the favorite, the attention of the once Russian artist switched to Christian Kostov from Bulgaria of Russian origin.

“I know that he is a Muscovite, that even on the children’s “Voice” Dima Bilan was his mentor, and in such a continuation of this young man’s career there is a certain symbolic sign of fate, given the role that “Eurovision” played in the life of Bilan himself,” quotes her "Moskovsky Komsomolets".

By the way, the ex-deputy admitted that she could also shine at the competition this year. Of course, before the death of her husband, she released a video for a song from Leonid Gutkin, the author of hits by Russian singers Polina Gagarina and Yulia Samoilova.

“If everything hadn’t changed so dramatically in my destiny... We were going to continue in this format, the album was being prepared, a major label was going to release it with fanfare... So we can assume that I was already almost two steps away from Eurovision, ha “haha…” she explained.

Maksakova spoke a little about her personal life. She admitted that she really fell in love with the Ukrainian capital and tried not to think about the bad.

“I was really looking forward to spring in Kyiv. I didn’t think, of course, that this spring would bring me so much personal grief, but this has nothing to do with the city, it is beautiful, as always... But life goes on,” the opera diva noted.

The artist complained that she was left completely alone and was now forced to “drag” the family herself. “I am now, unfortunately, chained in this material space of four dimensions. For now, I’ll have to figure out on my own how and where to move. So anything can happen - both in life and in creative aspects,” she concluded.

Maksakova fled to Ukraine with her husband, ex-parliamentarian Denis Voronenkov in October 2016. Already in Square, the couple accused Russia of “annexing Crimea” and appeared on local television with revelations about Moscow.

In January, it became known that the ex-deputy gave evidence to the Ukrainian prosecutor's office in the case of Viktor Yanukovych, who was accused of high treason.

In Russia, Voronenkov was formally charged with fraud and was put on the international wanted list.

On March twenty-third, Voronenkova was a killer near the entrance to the Premier Palace Hotel. Maksakova chose to stay in Square.

The widow of the murdered deputy Denis Voronenkov, who now lives in Kyiv, is herself one of the divas, albeit opera divas, and for some reason it seemed to me that for therapeutic purposes it was necessary to make her such an offer. It was not without doubts and mental awkwardness that I took this desperate step. But my long-standing observation was only confirmed - Masha is strong! A unique woman who takes any blows of fate at full height and with an open visor...

In general, she gladly accepted the offer to perform at Eurosong. When we met, all the divas of the competition, I must say, faded into gray mice in my eyes. Lost 16 kg, stylishly dressed, fresh-faced, easy-going and pleasant to talk to, as always...

The thought of the terrible drama in the life of this young, beautiful and energetic woman haunted her, inhibiting the joy of meeting her. With amazing tact, Maria herself tried to level out the awkwardness - what does the breadth of a thoroughbred nature mean!

While we were walking to the VIP box, the young widow was continually devoured by lustful glances. Good! Having appeared at Eurovision for the first time, Ms. Maksakova, after very interested in watching what was happening, shared with MK the unfiltered view of a person from the outside, which is certainly interesting and valuable. It’s not every day that people of Melpomene and high art can descend to pop Europassions...

- Masha! I want to warn you - this is a competition for housewives and gays.

Ha ha ha! You speak harshly about the main musical event of the year.

- Not at all, this is such a common cliche, I was just being sarcastic.

It's clear. Actually, this is my first time at this competition, although it was held in Moscow and in other cities where I could theoretically be. However, this is the first time that I came to see with my own eyes how it happens. I was very happy for “our” Bulgarian (Kristian Kostov). He deservedly made it to the finals.

I know that he is a Muscovite, that even on the children’s “Voice” Dima Bilan was his mentor, and in such a continuation of this young man’s career there is a certain symbolic sign of fate, considering the role that “Eurovision” played in the life of Bilan himself.

Maria with a MK journalist.

I liked the Irishman (Brian Murray). He was strikingly different from the other participants; it’s a pity he didn’t make it to the finals. Extremely unusual timbre. There is an altino opera, there is an altino tenor, and he has a voice that does not fall into any classification at all. Extremely unusual timbre, high. He made an impression on me, although in general I am not a fan of “male sopranos.” Another woman in a red dress sang in a very beautiful voice.

- This is Anya from Denmark. Kind of a diva...

She had a very wide range of voice and sang beautifully. And in terms of the sum of my impressions, I was struck, of course, by the incredibly festive, almost carnival atmosphere and the amazing speed with which the scenery and scenic surroundings on stage changed at lightning speed. Technology, of course, is moving forward, it’s simply amazing. I remember those times in the theater when even for more modest changes (scenery) the curtain was closed. And, of course, this is a very colorful show: light, lasers, screens. Very impressive.

- In general, are you satisfied with your “premiere” at Eurovision? Maybe now I can somehow fit into this story myself?

I do not know. Watching the audience, I see that this is a very youth competition. And you and I are already veterans...

- Come on! Bonnie Tyler, Andrew Lloyd Weber and even Engelbert Humperdinck performed at Eurovision...

I’m not talking about the participants, but mainly about the audience, and it seems to me that this sets the main tone for what is happening. I remember that I once went to some nightly live broadcasts in Moscow several years ago, when all this was discussed in the studio, this way and that, exalted almost to the level of some kind of musical Olympus...

It seems to me that in Europe there is no such attitude towards Eurovision as some kind of fateful, almost the main musical and political event of the year. This is just a music competition, a popular entertainment format, and in this sense, you shouldn’t renounce Eurovision, just like scrip and prison. Well, you never know what can happen in my life?

You did give the wonderful example of Humperdinck, a man who took a pseudonym from the famous 19th century German composer who wrote Hensel und Gretl because he was a fan of him. A legendary personality, I really liked him, by the way, when he sang (at Eurovision 2012 in Baku), and I was simply amazed that he received so few points. Because I think he's a brilliant singer. Therefore, considering that he was already close to 80 at that time, I still have 35 years left. And it’s hard for me to say what will happen over the years. You see, it seemed to me before that I knew what would happen tomorrow, but now I realized that I don’t.

Well, your latest video, which blew up the Internet in the fall, “Will You Be Mine,” is quite a Eurovision hit, by the way...

Moreover, it was written by the same author as the song for Samoilova, and for Gagarina, and for Garipova at Eurovision - Leonid Gutkin. If everything had not changed so dramatically in my destiny... We were going to continue in this format, the album was being prepared, a major label was going to release it with pomp... So we can consider that I was already almost two steps away from Eurovision, ha- haha...

- “Eurovision” is Eurovision, but in Moscow, of course, everyone is interested in how you live in Kyiv? Do you want to convey something to your Moscow friends through MK?

Kyiv is a wonderful city. Many people have been there, including all my Moscow friends, and they love Kyiv just like me. A stunning city with ancient history, surrounded by greenery. I was really looking forward to spring in Kyiv. Of course, I didn’t think that this spring would bring me so much personal grief, but this has nothing to do with the city, it is beautiful, as always... But life goes on.

I am now, unfortunately, chained in this material space of four dimensions. For now, you’ll have to figure out on your own how and where to move. So anything can happen – both in life and in creative aspects.

We’ll probably talk about whether you’re going to return to Russia, which also interests everyone in Moscow to the point of fainting, a little later, after catching our breath from Eurovision, right?

Agreed!

Read the report from the second Eurosong final: