Yuri Levitan's Voice

Yuri Levitan was born in Vladimir, Russia. From early childhood he was called “trumpet” for his sonorous voice. At the age of 17 he left for Moscow to become famous artist, however the members of the selection committee laughed at his Vladimir dialect. He saw an announcement for the recruitment of announcers to the USSR State Committee on Television and Radio Broadcasting and decided to try one more time. He successfully passed it, his deep bass was quickly noticed and he was offered to read a test text for the first day. When Stalin heard Yuri Levitan’s voice he instructed him to read the report at the congress on the radio. During the World War II he read the reports of the Soviet Information Bureau and orders of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief Stalin. For the unique timbre of his voice Yuri Levitan was entrusted to announce the capture of Berlin and the Victory. He was awarded with medals, awards and orders. In 1980 he received USSR People’s Artist award. Died in Bessonovka.