Ivan Melnikov (baritone)

Ivan Aleksandrovich Melnikov () (March 4, 1832 – July 8, 1906) was a Russian baritone opera singer.
Early years and training.
Melnikov was trained as a choirboy in his youth. In 1861, he began studying with Gavriil Lomakin, and participated from 1862 until 1866 in the Free Music School concerts conducted by Lomakin. Melnikov continued his studies in Milan with a master of bel canto, E. Repetto.
Career.
In 1867, Melnikov made a triumphant St. Petersburg debut at Mariinsky Theatre, performing the role of Riccardo in Bellini's "I puritani". Melnikov appeared regularly at the Mariinsky, in both foreign and Russian roles, and was the first interpreter of more than dozen roles in Russian opera. Melnikov sang in every opera by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky except for "Iolanta", creating roles in four of Tchaikovsky's operas: Prince Vyazminsky in "The Oprichnik" (1874), Devil in "Cherevichki" (1886), Prince Kurlyatev in "The Enchantress" (1887), and Tomsky in "The Queen of Spades" (1890).