Vanya & Apollinaria Voronoff

The Voronoffs came separately to Australia in 1914 and stayed on together, performing and playing in various ensembles. Apollinaria (Apa) and Ivan (Vanya) who came here from Chita, Siberia.

Willian (Valya) Krasnik, was also born in Siberia in 1911, came here at an early age. Many years later (after Vanya had passed away) he wrote about meeting Vanya here and holidaying with the Voronoffs when they were living in Catherine Hill Bay.

"It was his love of music and of good records, which influenced me very strongly in my childhood.  I have always treasured and been inspired by the memory of Heifetz playing the First Hungarian Dance by Brahms, when you lived at the Bay. The sadness of the melody, the perfection of the playing, the keen sweet pain of the music, the ideal setting in the mysterious Australian Bush, all mingled into an unforgettable and deeply touching experience."

Apa & Vanya (centre) in a Tent Camp - possibly in Queensland

The Voronoffs did their best to promote friendly relations between Russians and their new compatriot Australians. This photo of Apa was taken at 66 Pitt Street in Sydney.

Friendship Promotion - 'Turizm'

Valya Krasnik became a violist with the London Symphony Orchestra and his younger sister Olga Krasnik, born in Rockhampton, became a pianist of note in Australia and remained a longtime friend of Apollinaria. Valya writes again of Vanya...

"Vanya had the valuable gift of showmanship, which enabled him to impart a special quality to simple acts, thus raising them to the level of great occasions.  This showed in his success as a Balalaika player, for he possessed the art of giving pleasure to others."

Ensemble with Vanya and Apa Voronoff

Vanya played balalaika in several ensembles along with Apa; together they wrote plays and generally followed a life of music and performance which might have seemed quite colorful in a predominantly Anglo-Saxon Australia.

My thanks to relatives for their assistance.

If you have stories of interest I am keen to hear from you.

Comments

[Elena Govor]

Australian newspapers often wrote about the Voronoff Balalaika Orchestra.
Here are some links:
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/printArticlePdf/16809753/3?print=n
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/printArticlePdf/47807086/3?print=n
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/printArticlePdf/16999931/3?print=n

Obviously there was some balance between interest to Russian 'exotic' performances and suspicions of the Australian security forces who kept a suspicious eye on a number of Russians including the Krasnik family.