Vera Pashennaya was a renowned actress of traditional Russian drama, performing at the prestigious Maly Theatre in Moscow. Born on September 19, 1887, in Moscow, Russia, she was the daughter of the classical actor Nikolai Roshchin-Insarov.
Pashennaya's acting career began in 1904 when she studied with A. Lensky at the Moscow Theatrical School, graduating in 1907. She then became a permanent member of the Maly Theatre troupe, impressing audiences with her portrayals of iconic roles such as Portia in 'Julius Ceasar', Anna Andreevna in 'Revizor', and Lyubov Yarovaya in 'Lyubov Yarovaya'.
Throughout her illustrious career, Pashennaya mastered the art of Russian language, boasting impeccable diction and a powerful delivery. Her rare strong voice, ranging from low masculine basso to high and sharp feminine tones, earned her a reputation for her versatility on stage.
Pashennaya's stage performances were admired by some of the most renowned figures in the Russian theatre world, including Vsevolod Meyerhold, Konstantin Stanislavski, and Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko. She was invited to join the Moscow Art Theatre on several international tours, including a tour of the United States, where she performed leading roles in plays by Alexander Ostrovsky.
In addition to her stage work, Pashennaya taught acting at the Theatrical School of Maly Theatre from 1918 to 1962. She was one of the founding members of the Student's Theatrical Studio in 1924, which merged with Shchepkin Theatrical School of Maly Theatre. Her students included notable Russian actors such as Yuriy Solomin.
Pashennaya's achievements were recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the designation of People's Actor of the USSR in 1937, the State Stalin's Prize in 1943, and the State Lenin's Prize in 1961. She passed away on October 28, 1962, and was laid to rest in Novodevichy Cemetery in Moscow, Russia.
