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. People's Artist of the USSR (1940) and Hero of Socialist Labour (1980). According to Steven Kotkin (Waiting for Hitler, 594-95), he was Joseph Stalin's favorite singer.