This week, the singer will celebrate his birthday - he will turn 41 years old. Now the artist is touring the country with a new show "Game". And he also performs on his birthday - in Baku. Woman`s Day found out how Nikolay managed to lose so much weight, rejuvenate in a short time and who will sing on his future wedding with Victoria Lopyreva.

"It's time to grow up, but I don't feel like I'm 41"

Nikolay, on October 15 you will be 41 years old ...

Yes. Better 31 (laughs).

In his Instagram, Baskov posted a photo before and after losing weight and wrote: "If you set a goal for yourself and gradually go towards it, then you will definitely achieve it !!!"

It can be said that half of my life has passed. How do you feel about your age?

For me - a quarter of life, I'm going to die at 120! By the way, I haven't celebrated 40 years. According to numerology, when the number "0" is present in a year, it means emptiness and the formation of something new. My mother is very dear and important person in my life - she said that 40 years is a big internal restructuring... And yes, I have an internal struggle with myself, the feeling that I, as an artist, need a reboot. Almost all 17 years that I have been on stage, I associate with a holiday person who sings funny, light songs. Therefore, I want to move away from a huge number of all kinds of TV shows, programs, in the future to filter my appearances in concerts, because some kind of inner has accumulated ... not fatigue, no. But I need time to jump into something further fun.

It's probably time to grow up. But I cannot grow up, it always seems to me that I am a young boy who has just started his career. I don’t understand at all how 17 years passed ... I don’t feel that I am 41. By my state of mind, I’m probably 26-27 years old. And, thank God, in recent times and I don't look 41 years old. Recently I met with my classmates (laughs) ... I was asked what I drink for my youth.

Tell us the secret, what do you drink for youth? How did you manage to get in such great shape in a short time?

I have a personal trainer who deals with me in the plan physical fitness... He is a nutritionist and massage therapist, in a word, a person who corrects me. It is difficult for the body to withstand our ecology and stressful regime. Therefore, I participate in the program of the Academy of Gerontology in St. Petersburg. Thanks to the sanctions, our science does not stand still. Petersburg scientists have achieved certain successes. Their innovation is a complex of drugs that I have experienced myself: these are capsules with a solution of natural vitamins, amino acids and peptides. And a cream on the same base. I liked the result: fatigue goes away quickly, energy appears. I even decided to release special set funds based on these three components, it will be called "Energy star" - Energy star. You will see him on my Instagram soon. The cost will be normal as it is manufactured overseas.

I continue to cooperate with the Academy of Gerontology - many people apply there influential people, politicians, they make droppers, take drugs, but they hide it.

"Vika told me:" I will not sing "

Nikolay, your fiancée Victoria Lopyreva recently started singing at the New Wave contest. Do you give her vocal lessons?

Well, no, she won't sing, it was pure fan. Although I like the way Vika sings, I generally always like it when the girls who are next to me are engaged in creativity. Vika told me categorically: “I won't sing! I am an ambassador for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, host, TV presenter, model, so no. You will sing. "

On "New Wave" Victoria sang with other singers

Several years ago, I know Victoria asked you to perform at her wedding ...

No, she wanted me to lead her wedding. And on those dates when she called and called me, I was busy. In general, you know, everything is so unpredictable, I can honestly tell you! Sometimes you don't know what awaits you around the corner ... It's so interesting to live. At the same time, live, not paying attention to anything - not to sharp comments, or to discussions of your plans. When in Malakhov's program "Live" my mother explained why the date of our wedding with Vika was postponed, the headlines in the media were very funny! I am already very resistant to this pressure. But I can say: live the way you want. This is your life, no one will give you the next day. Let them discuss you, believe it or not, and you do what is good for you. This is the lot of us, public people, we bring a topic for conversation into the life of every person.

Nikolay Baskov and Victoria Lopyreva in the program "Live" at Malakhov admitted that the wedding was postponed

"Some do not understand why I am on stage in a dress."

Tell us about your show, which you are currently touring the cities with.

This is not just a show, but a theatrical costume performance. About 2 million euros were spent on it: these are 4 trucks of scenery, 72 people serve the show, all the costumes are exclusive, sewn in one copy according to the sketches of two wonderful fashion designers - Valentin Yudashkin and Vladimir Seredin. I know that it took about 80 thousand rhinestones to create them. Some were made in France at the costumes for Game of Thrones. One of the costumes - Prince Calaf from the opera "Turandot" - about two meters, weighs almost 40 kilograms. And technically equipped so that during the song fans and muzzles of dragons with glowing eyes emerge from it.

And in the song "Wanderer" in the background there is a battle of gladiators. Once I was so contemplated how they were fighting, and forgot that I had to sing. Opening his mouth, he stood and thought: I wonder if he will hit him with a sword or not (laughs).

The Game Show is not just a collection of songs, but a specific story. One of the outstanding directors Alexei Sechin, who made the Olympics and the Universiade, worked on it. I told him that I want to play in different eras. The variants of the name were different - "Time Travel", "Fantasy". We decided to keep historical facts from my creative biography- certain songs in certain images. For example, the image of the Emperor, in which I received the Golden Gramophone in 2012. The show features multi-genre music: popular, classical, operetta, and buffoonery.

The show is so expensive that it does not cover the costs, it is not profitable. But as an artist I have created such a brainchild that will leave its mark. This is what I can be proud of today. It left no one indifferent. After my concert, Maxim Fadeev wrote that he had never seen anything more grandiose. In the Kremlin, there was a standing ovation in the middle of the concert. It was revealing for me how my girlfriends dragged their husbands to this show. They resisted: "No, the Basque ... Okay, we'll serve the first department and leave." But no (banging his fist on the table) - Basque won! People stayed until the end.

Prince Calaf's costume from the opera "Turandot" weighs 40 kilos!

The main character of the show is Mask. What does it mean to you?

The show is called "The Game" because we all play, we put on masks. So you come to an interview - and put on a journalist's mask, come home - put on a mask or loving wife, or bitches. All people play, perhaps, we are most natural when we are left alone with ourselves.

The mask is a manifestation of my inner self. The first part of the show is brilliance and pomp. The second part is romance, the third is real theater (operetta and opera). The fourth part - the triumph of strength and power - the Roman Empire. The fifth part is natural blond, a man in love with himself. And the sixth block is a mask of triumph, in which I go out at the end to the audience.

Our people are very caustic in comments and, without going into the reasons why I appear on the throne in a bright suit, and I have an imperial crown on my head, they believe that Basque completely went head-first - put on a dress. They do not understand that this is a fragment from Puccini's opera Turandot, where Prince Calaf sings his famous aria. And the imperial costume in China is just long dress... And only understanding people wrote that "it was amazing to plunge into the atmosphere of the opera."

He admitted that he was resting all alone for a whole month in January.

Instagram Nikolay Baskov

There are often reports in the press about luxurious gifts that your fans give you. Apartments in Moscow, a mansion in Spain, apartments in Turkey, luxury cars. Is it true?

True, even a few years ago I was presented with a star named after me. I am very pleased with the attention, I am very grateful to these people. But I will not comment on the gifts, I would not like to discuss this topic. I myself really like to make gifts, cheer people up, give them joy. The main gifts to my closest people - parents.

Last year, for example, I gave my mom and dad a tour to Europe. It was real for them romantic trip... In fact, I would really like to meet a woman and live with her for as many years as my parents. And so that after many years of life I would like to go on a romantic trip with her. It seems to me that finding your woman is a great success for a man.

Of course, I give gifts not only to my parents, but also to those people who surround me. After all, I have friends, my team. And although we no longer believe in Santa Claus, we still hope that New Year will bring happiness. In general, I really love this period of time - from December 31 to January 7, fabulous Christmas days, when we make wishes, wait, what next year will be better than in the past.

Concerts, meetings with fans, people's love. What are the disadvantages of your profession?

The fact that I see little of my parents. But we have a tradition in our family: if I return home, they always go to meet me at the airport. Even if I find myself there for an hour or two, this also happens, because often I only get to Moscow for docking. Mom and Dad still come to stay with me at least this time. Even the New Year is not at home, because I always work on this night.

What do you give yourself for the New Year?

November and December are the most difficult months of the year for all artists, there are a lot of concerts and filming. This is a real marathon, so I have already developed such a tradition to fly away on January 1 to have a rest. I give myself a whole month of doing nothing. Resting, recovering, preparing for new job... I always go on my vacation alone. This year I want to go to the Caribbean, where there is a wonderful climate, great weather, a clean beach and a warm sea.

You are 37 years old, you are not married. What's stopping you from finding your perfect soul mate?

In this sense, I am a fatalist. There is no need to specifically look for anyone, fate will bring you together. You can walk down the street and meet the girl of your dreams. And if this is yours, then you will feel it immediately, at first sight.

Are you jealous?

I am very jealous, like all men. And you seem to know that this is an unhealthy feeling, but you cannot help yourself, you are jealous. We are all the same. I would say that loving is generally a huge job. And if you are lucky and you found your woman, then mutual love- this is a great work of a woman and a man.

Love is work, but hate?

I can't say, I have never experienced this feeling. Feelings of mercy and kindness are closer to me. For example, I admire what a good deed he is doing now. As part of her program, Volochkova - Nastya gives dozens of free concerts to children. She is still recording a new album. I believe that a person needs to be realized. Nastya is now at such a stage, her heart asks, her soul sings. After all, she did everything in ballet. If you go outside and ask the name of the most famous ballerina, everyone will answer: "Volochkova".

In late autumn, an idle TV viewer, switching channels, could not help but stumble upon this clip, where a young man with a peach complexion was diligently singing Italian words... ╚Nikolay Baskov ╚In Memory of Caruso╩ √ the signature read. Controversy flared up in musical circles. Someone argued that the young man did not sing himself, someone accused him of sweetness and pop, and brutal rockers simply wrinkled their noses.

The first clip was followed by the second, then the third, and on March 23 Nikolai Baskov gives his first solo concert at the State Central Concert Hall "Russia". The concert is timed to coincide with the release of the singer's debut album "Dedication", and considerable efforts have been invested in it: the opera prima Lyubov Kazarnovskaya, the dance ensemble led by Igor Moiseev, the Presidential Orchestra and many others will take part in the concert. In addition, our hero, it turns out, is not so simple: an artist of the Bolshoi Theater, has traveled with concerts half the world, studied with the greatest singers of the twentieth century.

All this certainly gives rise to curiosity. We call the singer, make an appointment: “Okay, let's meet in a cafe, next to the Metelitsa casino. It says "Jumping" and something related to coffee. At the appointed time I go to the appointed place and find that on two adjacent doors, in order of priority, are written keywords but the doors lead to completely different establishments. In none of them, nothing similar to Nikolai Baskov is observed. I am viciously smoking in the middle - on the street, under wet snow, when suddenly I see a marvelous picture: a young man in a luxurious fur coat is moving along Novy Arbat. mobile phone in hand. Coming to my senses from such splendor, I call out - indeed, he is. We settle into a cafe, I continue to stare at him: short, very light hair, there really is something soft and feminine in his features, dressed in a stylish and obviously expensive suit. Having straightened out with dessert, we begin a conversation:

- First, tell us a little about yourself. Where were you born when you started making music┘

And it is necessary? I was born in Moscow, traveled a lot with my parents around the country, as my dad served. He studied at an ordinary music school, then at the music school at the conservatory in Novosibirsk, then, from eleven to fifteen years old, at the Young Actor's musical theater. At the age of sixteen or seventeen, I studied at GITIS, then, since I dreamed of singing, I entered Russian Academy music to them. Gnesins. Now I am a fourth year student, because I took academic leave due to concert travel.

- Did you yourself want to become a musician or is it the will of your parents?

No, well, of course, mom from the very early childhood she sat me down at the piano - she thought that I would be a great pianist. Then they made an athlete out of me. I am a professional swimmer, I have a second grade, surfing and scuba diving. He began to study vocals at the age of sixteen. I have my own teacher, with whom I am constantly engaged, and those of the greats of this world with whom I met, made some amendments of their own.

- Who exactly from the "greats of this world" do you know?

With many. With Jose Carreras, with Evgeny Svetlanov, with Western conductors; with “our” opera stars √ with Lyubov Kazarnovskaya, for example, we even have a joint project (by the way, the duet of Baskov and Kazarnovskaya will sound at the concert on March 23 √ Z.R).

- And with Galina Vishnevskaya?

We don't know each other personally, but I attended her master classes. Most of all I was struck by the meeting with Carreras. When I sang in his honor, he applauded standing up, and then, when we met, he communicated very simply and on an equal footing. He said that he started with classical and ends with pop music, and I can start with popular music, and finish with classical music - it won't hurt. He invited me to my master class in Spain.

- And why, in fact, did you decide to engage in pop music? You're an opera singer.

There is such a tendency in the West - all opera singers, and tenors in particular, combine classical singing with a variety show. In New York, I went to the Sarah Brightman show, and I was amazed that the opera singer performed both pop and classical music. But the press never lets out any barbs at her, because she is a very professional person. And I thought: why don't I try this? I realized that I can, and it turns out professionally. Many recording studios became interested in what I was doing and offered cooperation.

Yes, but the specificity of our show business is its division into genres. And the artist, who once declared himself in the "pops", may then simply not wash off this stigma.

Everything changes in our life. You have to do your job professionally, and then history will show. Utesov also got it at first, and then he was declared a genius. I think the most important thing is health and love. It is enough for me that I go to the opera stage and start singing. When you are called for an encore and given a standing ovation seven times, it says a lot. At the last concerts, the audience does not meet with ovations, but with silence, like: “Well, let's see what you can really do. The video is, of course, good, beautiful, but let's listen to it live╩. But I judge by how they see me off, and I am satisfied.

- Who are your favorite composers?

Moscani, Verdi and Tchaikovsky.

- What is your opera repertoire today, and what else would you like to sing?

Now I have two parts ready - Lensky in Eugene Onegin and Alfred in Traviata. I also teach Pinkerton in Madame Butterfly and plan to sing Cavaradossi in Tosca later. But since I am still very young, many say that the most important thing is that I am not in a hurry. That is, everything is in order, but everything should be measured. If you feel that you are ready to sing, then you should sing. My dream is to sing Radames in Aida, Othello, by the age of 32-33.

The career of an opera singer begins at the age of twenty-seven to twenty-eight, especially with a tenor. Western artists were generally surprised how I sing at twenty-two.

You are the youngest performer of the part of Lensky at the Bolshoi Theater. Why do you think there is such a situation in Russian opera that the roles of young characters are sung by people of very middle age and by no means the first freshness?

Now in Russia the level of professionalism has dropped. We have a lot of talented young opera singers, but they all leave for the West. And people of the old school remain to finish singing. Opera is such a genre. In the West, it is believed that if you are young and talented, then any technical problems with vocals that you have will disappear and be polished during your life. The public and the press understand this.

- Aren't you striving for the West?

Maybe Russia would not have seen me, because there was a period when I was ready to leave. After speaking at the President's Club in America, proposals were received. But I am a patriot, and then, I have many friends here, parents.

I want to represent Russia in the West, and if people don't see me as a snob, I will be happy.

- What language is easier for you to sing?

In Italian, of course. Many experts believe that I have an Italian school - I inherited my singing style from my teacher. The Italian audience is the most demanding, and although they said that I was young and I needed to work hard, everyone was sure that I studied in Italy. I do well in Russian too.

- Do you have any idols?

On the one hand, Mario Lanza. On the other - Pavarotti. I love what he is doing now, it is worthy of admiration and admiration. A man in his 65 years in such a wonderful vocal form! He may sing better or worse, but he is Pavarotti. Among ours - Kazarnovskaya, Borodin, I love Bashmet very much.

- Why was ╚ In Memory of Caruso chosen as the debut? ╩

It was the first song I ever sung and recorded. I sang it always and everywhere. And once, when I sang it, the Tchaikovsky Hall would not let me go for twenty minutes. I thought that this song would penetrate the hearts of people, but I did not even imagine that it would resonate so much. When it all began, no one even thought about it. At first we wanted to name the album “In Memory of Caruso”, but since it is very diverse, we settled on the title “Dedication”. The album includes very interesting songs√ from ╚Good bye my love, good bye╩ by Demis Roussos, Russian lyrics for which Dolphin wrote, to a song set to music by Evgeny Martynov.

From the author: Tickets for the concert on March 23 scattered before they could go on sale. Due to this demand, Nikolai Baskov will give three more concerts. On April 15-16-17, everyone can be convinced that Basque sings himself and sings well.

About the clip "Ibiza"

Several weeks ago, Philip Kirkorov and I broke the internet with our joint creation called Ibiza. Now the video "Apology for Ibiza" has also been released. I'll tell you this: I don't remember ever being scolded like that. Although in my life I have done everything and no matter how I hooligan.

Being opera singer and as an intern at the Bolshoi Theater, always going on stage only in tuxedos, tailcoats and "butterflies" and performing on the stage "In Memory of Caruso", he suddenly recorded a rap with "Murzilki" from "Avtoradio". The stylists then dressed me up in a crumpled shirt and ripped jeans, it was a shock for everyone. They burned me on what the light is worth. Seven years ago, on my anniversary, Kirkorov and I sang the song "They will not catch up with us." There were 500 guests in the hall, the whole flower of society, and we went out to them in shorts, in pioneer ties. We understood that by our appearance in this form and with such a composition, the nerves of the assembled were tickled. But the unexpected happened. For some reason, both me and Philip were unbuttoned fly shorts. In the euphoria of the performance, we, of course, did not pay attention to this. "E-mine," Kirkorov and I said, after watching the video, "why are the pants too small!" What started then is scary to remember. Our unbuttoned shorts were talking about everything and everywhere. And I already thought that this is the peak, that we will not touch and shake people stronger. But I was wrong.

After “Ibiza” we were scolded in a way they never scolded anywhere else. On "Echo of Moscow", where nothing has been said about Baskov since its inception, "Ibiza" was devoted a whole hour and poured 18 tubs of shit on me.

Still from the clip "Apology for Ibiza" (2018). Photo: instagram.com

In general, with this clip there was amazing story... Society has split into two camps. Half of the viewers (and they have already exceeded fourteen million) are very fond of this video, half are enraged and splashing saliva: “Why are you, Nikolai,” they ask, “did you shoot such nasty stuff at all ?!” I'll tell you why. My mission is to entertain people. Distract them from the gray everyday life. Shake them up if they feel sad. I am an artist, this is my profession. And when we shot the video, that's exactly what I wanted. And he did. I am not afraid of being scolded. For 20 years of my career, nothing has been written about me, and I have never sued a single publication, this is my principled position.

Russia 1 TV channel also took a big risk, putting "Ibiza" on the air, but as a result, Andrey Malakhov's program, in which the clip was shown (not without cuts, of course), received the most high rating... And on "New Wave" we sang a song from the stage, then went for an encore, and this was the only encore in the history of "New Wave". And again, the channel's management was not afraid to show our performance, although there was everything that was possible: provocative decorations, girls with fig leaves in a causal place, and boys in revealing costumes... But this is done on purpose. I am such a person - I cannot sing in the same costume against the background of the same black backdrop all my life. Then I will cease to be interesting to myself.

And by the way, Philip and I are similar in this. Both of us have been looking for ourselves all our lives. Philip did not shock people as soon as he was - he was red, white, green, whatever - and was not afraid of anything. And mind you, the audience's interest in him has not been lost for many years.

Friendship with Kirkorov

We have been friends with Philip for many years. Recently we were on the air with Urgant, and he was asking us when we met. Honestly, none of us will remember when it happened. Philip noticed me a long time ago, it was the Musical Ring program, well, that is last century yet. And somehow it happened by itself - they began to communicate. And this confrontation of ours, about which they talk so much, is also entertainment. Playing for the audience. In fact, Philip is one of the few people I can count on. And he knows it's mutual.

During our communication, we have repeatedly got into history. One of them was especially memorable. It was about New Year's Eve, we were shooting some endless “Christmas trees”, and after one of the shootings, which ended after midnight as always, Philip says: “I still won't sleep today, there are too many emotions, I need to somehow calm down. Let's go to the cinema? " I agreed, and he said: "Wait, I'll pick you up soon." Calls in. I go down and see - no security, no driver, Kirkorov himself is sitting at the wheel of a small sports two-seater car. He adores her, although it's still a mystery to me how he fits there with his height. In general, we got into the car, drove to the cinema, left it in the parking lot on the street.

We watched a movie, went out - the car won't start. Well, because we didn't turn off the headlights and the battery naturally sat down. It's cold outside, winter, snow, no one around, half past three in the morning. We go to the road to vote. Philip is in front, I am nearby, just behind him, and you can't see me from the road (he's still much taller than me). The car stops, there are several guys and a girl inside. Philippe says in his trademark voice: “Guys, please help. We have problems. It is necessary to "light up" (start the battery. - Approx. "TN") ". The driver of the car looks at him, completely stunned, and says: "Listen, you look so much like Kirkorov!" - “What do you mean“ similar ”?! This is me! " - Kirkorov is indignant. The girl from the back seat says with the utmost skepticism: “Well, yes, yeah, you Kirkorov! Only Baskov is still not enough to complete the picture. " And then I understand that the time has come to come to the fore. I come out from behind Philip and say: "So here I am!" The man in the car forgot where his ignition was. They saved us, of course - they "lit a cigarette", brought us on, - but during the entire time of the rescue operation, none of them said a word, they were so shocked.

About extreme childhood

Everyone around me began to suspect that I would become an artist from my very childhood. I have always been very communicative, and I have always needed an audience - from the very early age... When we went to visit, the owners of the house said to their parents: "Just take Kolya with you, otherwise it will be boring at the table without him." My artistic nature demanded an exit, not always harmless, and I am grateful to my parents for their endless patience. I was never scolded, no matter what I did. At my grandmother's dacha, I tore chamomiles, put them in a can, walked with him to the electric trains, made a pitiful face and sold these chamomiles for a ruble. In the senior grades I fumbled near the Intourist hotel, knew by name and by sight all the prostitutes there, they also knew and loved me.

I Abdulov, the kingdom of heaven to him, managed to sell the perfume "Fahrenheit". Well, who then did not know the artist Abdulov by sight? Everyone knew. And I knew. And he believed that the artist automatically means "a rich man." It was already when I got older, I realized how right I was! (Laughs.) In general, the artist walked past Intourist on his own business, and I ran up to him, portrayed the holy fool, began to moan: "Alexander, please, well, we need money very much!" There were a lot of us there, but he paid attention only to me and bought a perfume as a result.

With father Viktor Vladimirovich and mother Elena Nikolaevna (1982). Photo: From personal archive Nikolay Baskov

I had a nickname - Artist. When I was 11 years old, I did become an artist - I got into the Children's Musical Theater of a Young Actor, which was then directed by Sasha Fedorov (he is still there, recently they celebrated the 30th anniversary of the theater). Many wonderful guys graduated from these walls, and I remember that time with pleasure. So, as soon as I got there, Sasha immediately said: “Kolya, you will become an artist. I don't know who you will become, maybe a singer, maybe a dramatic actor, but you definitely have talent. "

At the Theater of the Young Actor (1988). Photo: From the personal archive of Nikolai Baskov

We went on tour a lot - both across the country and abroad. This nomadic life did not raise any questions for me: I am the son of an officer, and since my father was never a parquet officer, we went through all the garrisons from Germany to Tuva. But Sasha still remembers with a laugh the performances that I performed before leaving on tour. Mom escorts me to the train. Stands on the platform. I lean my forehead against the glass and roar excitedly, straight from my heart. Mom outside the window, of course, also cries, Sasha, looking at all this, he almost roars. The train starts to move, and as soon as my mother is out of sight, the flow of tears immediately turns off, my face instantly dries up, and I, turning to Sasha, already quite calmly, rub my hands happily and say: “Sasha, my mother put sweets there, come on- let's get started. " He wondered how an 11-year-old child could play the grief of parting like that.

Once my talent saved our overseas tours. It was in the 1980s, we were a lot of children, accompanied by Sasha. He, as always, let everyone go ahead, and he himself was the closest. All the children showed their passports, passed, and he was told: "Stop, we won't let you in!" Something was wrong with him. Sasha begins to rush: "Comrade Major, let me go, I have 25 children there, how can they leave without me ?!" But the border guard is adamant. And then I understand that it's time. The concert began. I threw myself at the officer, I threw myself on the floor, I sobbed, jerked with all my limbs, howled at the entire airport: "Please let our dad go with us, we will die of hunger without him, we will be lost without him." Believe it or not, they missed us! And as soon as we were out of sight of the border guards, I, who a second before that was pounding in hysterics, suddenly took Sasha's hand and said in a casual tone: "Well, where do they give them something tasty here?"

About Irina Allegrova and her refrigerator

I have a duet with Irina Allegrova. I love her very much, recently I was with my parents at her concert in Vitebsk. And I was amazed how the audience met her and how I sang the song "My Wanderer" in chorus. Irina did not utter a word, she only conducted from the stage, and the audience sang in a single impulse. And if they ask me what a "hit" is, I will say that this is the song "Wanderer", which the people sing from beginning to end without the participation of the singer herself. I repeat, I very highly value her professionalism, but when I see Irina, I remember only one thing at once - her refrigerator.

Photo: From the personal archive of Nikolai Baskov

Once I came to visit her for a party, there were many guests. Irina is an amazing hostess and loves to cook. Her house has a chic kitchen, a wild amount of dishes, various newfangled lotions. And her refrigerator is a full-fledged room with a sealed door and shelves extending beyond the horizon. What carried me into this refrigerator? Don't ask! In general, I went in there, and the door closed. And there is no way to open it from the inside. I am sitting in this icy room, screaming - naturally, no one hears me. The mobile does not take there. After about half an hour, the people at the table in the living room became agitated: "Something has become painfully quiet, someone is missing." They began to find out: “And where is the Basque? He didn't say goodbye, did he? They went to look for me and it was completely decided that I dumped in English, but they found my shoes in the hallway. We began to go around the whole house more methodically and found me in this refrigerator. How Ira swore at me - beyond the words: "How did you manage?" It turned out that you can actually open the door from the inside, but on that very day something broke and stuck there. For half an hour, barefoot and lightly dressed, I sat in this refrigerator and still feel cold at the thought of what would have happened if they had not found my shoes in the corridor.

About Alla Borisovna and diamonds

Another duet, which I dreamed of for a long time and which I managed to record, is with Alla Borisovna Pugacheva. At “Christmas Meetings” we sang the song “Let's be friends with you” with her. Alla Borisovna was my guiding star, in my youth I earned a living performing her songs in a restaurant. So, once I was looking for a gift for Alla for an anniversary. I thought that I would give her something original. And then a novelty appeared in Moscow - a diamond cleaner. Everyone was chasing her, a terrible deficit. And I decided: here is a worthy gift for Alla. I got myself into a cake - I found it! I came to the anniversary proud - of course, such an original gift! Alla accepted it, turned it over in her hands and said: “Wow, he gives Rotaru diamonds, and me a machine for cleaning diamonds. I hope that next anniversary you will give me something that you can put there to clean. "

Photo: From the personal archive of Nikolai Baskov

About Joseph Kobzon

Joseph Davydovich was a standard for me, a model of how to help people. There will never be a second such person. He helped in everything - from going on stage to the funeral. I remember an amazing story. I was invited to perform in some kind of group concert. I was still completely green, I had no name, no one offered me money for this performance either, but I was flattered just to perform. I stood behind the curtains and shook with horror. Joseph Davydovich walked by me, patted me on the shoulder and said: “It's good that you're afraid. There is nothing worse than going on stage indifferently. " It was very important for me to hear it at that moment. I went out, sang a song, all wet with fear returned backstage, and Kobzon gives me $ 200 - then a lot of money for me. I was amazed, I asked: "Why?" And he replies: “Remember, every work must be paid. Only birds sing for free ”. I spent the dollars then, but if I knew how my life would turn out further, I would have kept these two bills as a talisman.

About mysticism and Montserrat Caballe

There was one more incident that I remember for the rest of my life. Sasha Fedorov and I and several other guys traveled around Europe and somewhere at the dock at one of the airports we slept on our things in the departure hall, waiting for the flight. Sasha later said that Montserrat Caballe was walking past us. And I have been a fan of her since childhood. And then she stops beside me. He puts his hand on my head and says: "What a good boy!" It was a sign, otherwise you cannot say.

And a little later I had a dream: I was sitting in the lobby of the Savoy Hotel and holding notes in my hands. And I see Montserrat and José Carreras coming down the stairs. She suddenly, without saying anything, takes my notes and begins to edit them. Many years later I met Montserrat: she was looking for a tenor for a duet in Russia, my producer sent her materials, and she chose me. Blindly, just hearing a voice. At the first rehearsal, I went up to meet her, and she ... took the notes from me and began to edit them. I had a stupor! She says something to me, but I cannot answer, because it was already with me! So tell me that there are no miracles ...

With Montserrat Caballe (2001). Photo: Global Look Press

I owe a great deal to Montserrat. And not only because I performed with her at the best venues in Europe. She taught me a vocal technique, thanks to which I can work two and a half hours live. I remember her master class in Zaragoza, Spain. One of the exercises, for example, was this: you had to lie on the floor on your back, they put a 16-kilogram barbell pancake on your diaphragm, and you had to breathe in a certain way with this pancake on your chest. It was very difficult. But it allows me to work out a concert today, even if I'm sick or tired. And the audience will not notice that I am not in the voice.

Travel adventures

One day we will land in Madrid. Madrid airport is one of the largest in the world. From the point of arrival to the place of collecting your luggage, you take 18 minutes by train. We had to transfer to Moscow, and we ran along with the whole team at this airport. And suddenly behind me there was a cry: "Nikola-ah-ay!" I look around - a woman of my mother's age is running towards me. "Do I know you! - shouts. - Here you are definitely Russian and definitely to Moscow! Please, I'll be lost here! I do not understand where to go and where is our gate. Take me with you!" She grabbed the hem of my jeans with both hands and followed me all the way to the Moscow flight. I couldn't leave her.

But not everyone reacts to me that way. I remember in 2009 I received the title People's Artist and went to the people - on a tour of cities and villages. I had 13 concerts in the largest Russian cities, and Russian Railways allocated me a VIP-personalized carriage, which was all scheduled: "Nikolai Baskov", "Ship of Fate", "All-Russian Tour". This carriage was interconnected in each city to another train, we drove to the next city, gave a concert there, and in this way we drove to Vladivostok. All returned from there plus 9 kg. Because for several weeks all we did was sit and eat. What else to do? There is no connection, the passes are long, there is no solid ground underfoot either. Moreover, the change of time zones. Somewhere to Omsk, we have already ceased to understand where we are and whether it is possible to call Moscow without waking my mother.

And then one night, somewhere beyond the Sayan Mountains, a long parking lot. And I suggest that ours go out and at least just stand on the ground, not hearing the sound of the wheels. I came out in such a way that at some fashion award I would certainly have received the title of "Person of the Year" for this bow. I was wearing white disposable slippers (these are usually given in hotels), worn over black socks, shorts, a T-shirt and an Armani coat thrown over my shoulders. And on his head, disheveled hair. We were standing near the carriage, we saw a woman in an orange vest walking along the train and tapping the wheels. He walks, bending low, reaches us, rests his head against me, sees my hotel slippers. Slowly looks up - shorts, coat, hair. And at the same time I stand in the light of a lantern, as if on a stage. And she crosses herself in a big way and says: "It's time to stop drinking!" He leans over to his wheels again and walks away, tapping them. Of course, if she walked smoothly, she would have paid attention to the cars with my photographs and realized that this is me, alive and real, despite thousands of kilometers from Moscow and strange appearance at three in the morning. But she was busy with wheels, and who knows, maybe later, after this meeting with me, she quit drinking ...

Photo: From the personal archive of Nikolai Baskov

About the album "I Believe"

In October, there will be a presentation on iTunes of my album entitled "I Believe". We made the album "I Believe" for a very long time. It all started with the fact that I saw the poetry of the beautiful poetess Irina Lebedeva, who writes on religious themes, and several works touched me to the core. I decided to create songs on them. It is interesting that music for the symphony orchestra was written by fashionable authors - Seryozha Revtov, Lesha Romanov - composers whose songs, besides me, are sung by Philip Kirkorov, Bilan, Stas Mikhailov, Alsu, Zara, Anna Semenovich and others, and whose hits are now spinning on everyone radio stations. However, we did not come to a result that would suit everyone right away. There were pieces that I rewrote several times, I didn't like the way it sounded, I didn't like the arrangement. But as a result, everything worked out.

Several years ago, I didn't even think that I could get such an album. But everything is changing. I realized that our life is divided into periods, and in each of these periods it becomes important that you never thought about it before. I am a baptized person, I have always been and remain a believer, but I also had to go a certain way and do a certain spiritual work. And on October 9, I went to this for a very long time. You know, there are meetings that are given from above. On your life path suddenly there are people with whom you may never meet again, but they are given to you in order to convey to you some idea, some understanding. So, once in a church somewhere in the outback I met an elderly priest, and he said to me these words: “People do not know how to go to church, they go there, as if to the order table, with a list: I want this, give me this ... And it’s also good if, in the end, a person even remembers that he needs to light a candle to God and thank him for everything that he already has. People forget that in Orthodoxy there is a concept - a thanksgiving candle to the Lord for his good deeds. This is when a person comes to church and does not ask for anything, he just came to thank him for the fact that he has a roof over his head, that his parents are alive, that he has a job, that he is loved, that he is needed and in demand. And that's all. He put down a candle and leaves, without saying a single word: "Give!"

This priest very clearly formulated what I had felt for a long time, but could not express in words. I've thought about this a lot. And, perhaps, he began to look at life a little more correctly. We really live this way - we whine all the time, we have not enough of everything, they have not given us something all the time, they have offended us, they said something wrong, they didn’t let us in somewhere, everything is not so and everything is not right. And I woke up one day and realized that I didn't want to do this anymore. And for several years now I have lived in a different way: I wake up, I get up, I thank God that I got up and that this day has begun. Now I understand that certain thoughts correspond to each age, and such an understanding of life could not come to me at 25, I had to go through a certain path, including losses and hardships, in order to learn to appreciate what you have. And now I live with this thought.

Simultaneously with the presentation of the album, on October 9, my concert will take place in the Kremlin. This will be a large-scale event - 160 people will appear on the stage, a symphony orchestra conducted by Yuri Medyanik and a choir named after Sveshnikov. This event will be unique - I do not plan to repeat it or carry it around the country. I dream of playing a concert once, filming it, and let it go down in history. Is not commercial enterprise, I don’t make money on it. I need to sing songs to the audience, and I do it, first of all, for myself, for my soul.

“We are both already beaten by life: we have a divorce behind us, the baggage of previous relationships, we have children. Therefore, we are not in a hurry, we do not force events, we do not make plans, but simply enjoy life ... "Nikolai Baskov and his girlfriend Sophie, whom the singer officially presented at the New Wave festival in Jurmala, are talking about their novel for the first time.

Nikolay, are you ready for the fact that after reading this interview, someone will say: “Another PR romance!”, But about Sophie - they say, next to him the girl settled down well?

I have no doubt people will discuss, condemn, speculate. And that's okay. Since I am a public person, it means that my relationship is in plain sight. Accordingly, there will always be those willing to comment on my novel, to say that this is PR, window dressing. But today it doesn't hurt me. Truth. On a personal level, I don't want to adjust to public opinion, explain something to someone, prove something ... You know, I'm already at that age and status when I can afford to live as I see fit. Still, life is one, and it is not endless, as it seemed at the age of 20. More than once I buried friends who left suddenly, in the prime of life - their peers, someone younger ... And at such moments you understand that everything can end at any minute - there will be no second chance to live life. And so I want to be happy here and now. Without looking at someone else's opinion.

At the moment, the only thing that matters to me is that I feel comfortable with Sophie. We have developed a harmonious relationship. And as for the calculation on her part, it's just ridiculous. Sophie is a quite successful girl, financially independent, always lived in good conditions... Her grandfather was not a poor man - at one time the family capital was successfully invested. We are not talking about some unthinkable amounts, but there is no point in looking for a man who should provide her with a comfortable old age.


- And where did you meet such a self-sufficient young lady?

Sophie is a singer, so we have many acquaintances in common. So we met.

Sophie: We first met 10 years ago at a party. We were introduced, Kolya even treated me to sushi. Only he completely forgot about it!

Nikolay: I was married then, was a faithful husband and did not look around. I remember our other meeting - about five years ago. Then they periodically crossed paths in the same company - they sang karaoke, danced on the dance floor until the morning. We communicated in a friendly way. A year ago, something seemed to click inside. We began to look closely at each other. (With a smile.) Soon I made Sophie understand that she was interesting to me as a girl and that I had the most serious intentions towards her. Sophie hinted in response that she had nothing against it. (Laughs.)

Sophie: I came to Moscow from Kazakhstan to enter the State School of Circus and Variety Arts. In my city, I often participated in parody contests - my crown number was Angelica Varum. At one of the contests, I was advised to do just that. educational institution... She entered, graduated from the specialty "variety art", for a year and a half she worked as a soloist at the State Theater of Variety Performances "Musical Agency" Lev Leshchenko. At the same time, with his help, two videos were shot - "Don't go away" and "Three mysterious tulips". After that, again at the suggestion of Lev Valerianovich, I began to cooperate with the famous producer Yuri Aizenshpis, with whom we shot my third video. And then I started a stormy personal life - I got married, got pregnant. What stunned Yuri Shmilevich. But we agreed that as soon as I recover from childbirth, we will return to our cooperation. Unfortunately, this did not happen: trouble happened - Aizenshpis died. And for several years I completely immersed myself in household chores, was engaged in raising my son. But when Bogdan was four years old, my husband and I divorced. Fortunately, he and I stayed in good relationship, he communicates with the child. I am grateful to him for his son and for his love, although it is in the past. Now he has new family: wife and little daughter.

My son is already nine years old. And for me (looking emphatically at Nikolai) something very important is happening again in my personal life. And in a career. After all, I recently received a producer's diploma - I want to try myself in this capacity.


- And in these areas, acquaintance with Baskov turns out to be very useful ...

Nikolay: I hope Sophie will help me as a producer. And as for singing ... Look, she sings really well, I have nothing to do with it! (Laughs.) There are plans to record a joint song and shoot a video. We recently returned from Barcelona - there I was filming a video for my new song "Zaya, I love you!" Believe it or not, Sophie not only helped in organizing the process, she literally overshadowed the beautiful model I invited to appear in the video! In general, she is wise, my girlfriend, she did not leave me alone in the company of a beauty. (Laughs.) I spent a couple of days shooting, and then Sonya and I enjoyed the atmosphere of Barcelona - we sat in cafes, walked, I showed my favorite places in the city. We like to travel together - we have already rested together in the Maldives, in Turkey, in Riga ...

- And yet what "hooked" you in each other?

You know, I noticed a long time ago: people converge on interests. Anyone from my environment: Presnyakov - Podolskaya, Nikolaev - Proskuryakova, Agutin - Varum, Pugacheva - Galkin ... These couples not only live together, they breathe the same air, do the same thing. Therefore, it would be strange to see a girl of a different profession next to me. It is extremely important for me that the woman I love understands me, that we are on the same emotional wavelength with her. For example, it is vital for me that at the moment when I perform on stage, she was sitting in the hall or standing backstage, or when I come home at night and I urgently need to discuss a new song, I could find understanding and sincere interest. I really need it.

Sophie: Kolya is an unusually emotional, sensitive person. At the same time, he amazes me with his energy. I love to watch how he works, how he communicates with friends, fans, how he easily finds a common language with any person, and disposes to himself. He knows how to create a holiday. How many times have I witnessed such a picture ... The company is sitting, no one is in the mood, from time to time they exchange words - boredom is death. But as soon as Kolya appears, in five minutes everyone is laughing, smiling! He has a gift for sharing good mood... At the same time, as I already understood, from time to time he needs to be alone, just to be silent. And at such a time, you should not pester him with questions and conversations. But it doesn't last long! Long silence is not about Kolya! (Laughs.)

Nikolay: Like everyone creative person, I periodically need to take a break from people. For example, recently I flew to Thailand, to a weight loss clinic - there was a weekly course of body cleansing. And although Sophie carefully hinted that I should take her with me, I flew alone. Still, I did not go there to rest, diet is a certain job, as it involves a regime, restrictions. In addition, it turned out that I chose a hotel in which a mobile phone can be used exclusively in the room! That is, all the conditions in order not to be distracted by events outside world... I had the opportunity to think about life. But in the evening Sophie called to find out how I was doing, and we spent several hours talking. (Laughs.)


Sophie: What can I say, with Kolya it is unusually easy and ... comfortable.

Nikolay: It's convenient with me! I'm as comfortable as a sofa! (Laughs.) In fact, we understand each other perfectly. Sophie is not one of those who throw tantrums or scenes of jealousy, who endlessly demands and makes claims. On the contrary, she does everything so that I feel good. This attitude is new to me. I am grateful to all the women with whom fate tied me, but ... It just so happened that I always, probably, invested a little more in relationships. Often the message of my friends was this: if he feels good, then I must be super good. And now it's the other way around. Sonia first of all thinks about how good it is for me. She manages to surround me with attention and care, while not being overly intrusive. In short, I don't feel any pressure from Sophie. This fascinates me and ties me to her even more.

Sophie: I feel like we've known each other for a hundred years. True, I still can’t get used to his surprises. For example, I’ll open the doorbell, and a courier with an armful of flowers is on the doorstep ... Kolya is one of those rare men who don’t need to hint what you want to receive as a gift, just look at it ... (Laughs.) Sometimes I feel embarrassed: when I glance at the shop window, Kolya immediately drags me inside and buys up half of everything they have. And, believe me, there are no options for retreat. (Laughs.) Sometimes he buys me dresses himself, and he always guesses the size.

Nikolay: Firstly, Sophie has a miniature, chiseled figure, so choosing a dress for her is not difficult. And secondly, at first glance, I unmistakably determine which outfit is perfect for any of my suits, so the decision to buy matures quickly. As for joint purchases, then it is really interesting for me to watch how a woman tries on new clothes, how she looks at herself in the mirror, how her eyes are burning. And if I have the opportunity to please my beloved - how can I deny this pleasure to myself and her ?!

- Can your relationship with Sophie be called a civil marriage?

We have a guest marriage, and such a relationship is this moment suit both. Anyway, I think so. (Laughs.) We meet when there is an opportunity. After all, we are both already beaten to a certain extent by life: we have a divorce behind us, the baggage of previous relationships, we have children. Therefore, we are not in a hurry, we do not force events, we do not make plans, but simply enjoy life ... More often I come to Sophie in her Vacation home, because for now she is more comfortable on her territory. Besides, she has a son there.

- Women tend to be more defined in relationships ...

Sophie: And I am no exception. But I completely agree with Kolya: there is no need to rush here. And besides, I feel that Kolya is still watching me, looking closely, studying. Although he tries not to show it. Of course, like any woman, I want a family, more children, but I will never rush a man. For me, in principle, in close relationships, the man is in the first place. I am not one of those who pulls the blanket over myself, on the contrary, I am ready to adjust, to make compromises.


- How was Nikolai's first meeting with your son?

At first, Bogdan was embarrassed, quieted down. It is not surprising - before that he saw Kolya only on TV, and then suddenly live. But he is a calm, adequate boy. There was no jealousy on his part, and there was no reason for that. It is clear that Kolya is not going to replace Bogdana's father - he has his own, and they communicate well. But for me, as a mother, it is important that they get along.

Nikolay: We easily found a common language with him, and it happened in the most natural way. Firstly, I love children, and secondly - cartoons. First, we watched an animated film together at the cinema, and then went to the toy store. Bogdan is a wonderful, well-mannered boy. Calls me Uncle Kolya. Unfortunately, the topic of children is painful for me - after all own son growing, Bronislav, with whom, as it happened, we do not communicate, do not see each other. I can't help but think about it ... Recently we talked to Sophie, and she, as it were, casually dropped: "And let me give you a baby - a girl!" But I honestly answered that I was not ready yet. I repeat: this is a sore subject for me, I still cannot discuss it ...

- Nikolay, did you tell your parents about your new romance?

Sophie met them after one of my performances in Moscow. Backstage, I introduced them to each other.

Sophie: Kolya's are amazing. And it is clear that they love their son infinitely, are proud of him. All the time that we talked, we talked exclusively about Kolya. Elena Nikolaevna recalled that she always wanted him to connect his life with the stage, and dad saw him in sports as a swimmer. Mom also emphasized that Kolya loves to eat deliciously, so he needs to be well fed. (Laughs.) I try not to let you down. Another thing is that Kolya goes on a diet more often than I do.

Nikolay: The only thing Sophie asked was to make me cheesecakes for breakfast, Mom’s signature dish. I love it very much. (Smiles.) The main thing for my mother is that I be healthy. I know that my parents will accept any of my choices and will never allow themselves to discuss it (this is not customary in our family). For them, first of all, it is important that I feel good and comfortable. Of course, they dream that I have a family, more children, but, I repeat, they will never interfere with my personal life with advice and comments. And they liked Sophie, rest assured!

- How did your friends receive Sophie?

I introduced Sophie to them at New Wave in Jurmala. Still, the moment came when it was already necessary to get out of the shadows. (Smiles.) And again everything happened in the most natural way. For example, on one of the days of the festival, Maxim Galkin called with a proposal to come to him with Alla and have lunch together. I decided to drop by for five minutes, but Sonya did not go - somehow she was not ready to get to know Alla Borisovna so immediately. As a result, as soon as I entered, from the doorway I heard from Pugacheva: “Well, where is your girlfriend? Give her here! " Alla Borisovna, as usual, is aware of all the news. (Laughs.) Sophie came in timidly. Alla Borisovna looked at her, turned to me: "Well, another creative tandem?" “Well, yes,” I say in response. "That's right, all to the family!" In fact, everyone warmly received Sophie, as befits adequate people. After some gatherings, when Sophie came out, Ani Lorak whispered to me: "Listen, she suits you!" It took her fifteen minutes of communication to come to this conclusion.


- Nikolay, do you think the experience of past relationships helps to avoid mistakes in new ones?

And I'm not afraid to make mistakes - I'm a self-confident man. And in general I try to be simpler about everything. You need to hurry to live and enjoy every moment. They say correctly: "As long as you complain about life, it passes." If something does not work out in the relationship of a couple, why spoil each other's nerves and waste time? We must part, saying thank you to each other for what happened. I fully agree with Marquez, who wrote: “Don't cry, because it's over; smile because it was! "

I AM happy man- I have something to remember. And now I enjoy life, appreciate it and am immensely grateful for what I have. The Lord gives me the opportunity to do a job that I adore. I have my audience, fans, I earn enough to live with dignity myself and provide the same life for my loved ones. And finally, I love and love! Why think about any mistakes?

Marina KUZNETSOVA, "TELENEDELA"
Photo by Vladimir SHIROKOV