Daily worries do not contribute to sentimental memories, but sometimes it is worth remembering those who, for the whim of fate, became a Zhytomyr citizen and left a memory and a good memory for themselves. Especially since history, unknown to the general public, is touching and romantic

The second half of the nineteenth century was a significant period in the development of Ukrainian culture.
Music, the theater gradually became part of everyday life. Our city became obligatory for the concert route of theatrical groups along with Kyiv, Odesa, and Kharkiv. Zhytomyr, the “capital” of the great Volyn province, was presented as an educated cultural public who perceived and could appreciate the talent of performers and the local press, which actively covered concert and theater life.
At this time, leading theatrical groups of imperial Russia, and artists from abroad came to Zhytomyr willingly. There was a prominent person among them – Gastano Magazari, an Italian singer, actor, gifted artist. Thanks to God’s Providence, a talented Italian became a Zhytomyr dweller, a cultural figure known to the city. He studied the language, customs, married and lived his last 25 years. His life is worth the dramatist’s pen! Gastano achieved glory, recognition of the Melpomene admirers, became quite wealthy, but came to a better world in poverty, because he was buried in the Catholic cemetery in the St. Vincent (patron saint of the poor) sector, where he was usually buried at the expense of state funds or philanthropists.
In 1870 a creative team from Italy came to the famous Odessa Opera House. Expressive Italians conquered the hearts of opera lovers, charmed with singing, artistry, successful productions, clothing, and stage design. Surrounded by success, they decided to continue the tour in the southern cities, but they did not achieve a previous triumph. It is difficult to say that this was the reason, but the failures started to pursue them and, having spent the money, the actors were in Zhytomyr.
The Zhytomyr audience is friendly, hospitable, but demanding, so it also did not show any particular interest to Italian entertainers. Then they finally “burned off”. Almost five months the corpse was experiencing not the best times in the city, earning money for live performances in homes of wealthy landlords, meetings of a noble club or in honor of the reception of guests by local government officials.
Over time, the Italians got used to, some of the locals, if possible, supported them. They got acquainted, friends and even patrons. According to the governor, the city police officially extended the term of stay of foreigners, taking into account “good reasons”.
It happened that their performances were liked by the wife of a wealthy philanthropist. She admired the opera, sang at home concerts and salon assemblies, dreamed of a great scene. The woman was impressed by the difficult situation of the artists, and she condemned her husband, also a theater lover, so that at the charity, at his own expense, he ensured the return of the whole opera troupe. However, one of them, which was Gastano Magazari, appealed to the local authorities for leave to remain, stating that he had found a bride here and had a firm intention to marry.
After certain bureaucratic procedures, the case was settled, and since Zhytomyr theater, at that time, needed a decorator, then Magazari offered the directorate their services. The opera singer was a thoroughly gifted man: he was an artist, a portrait, a sculptor, and most importantly – an extraordinary decorator, since he was able to turn the statue into artistic creations.
In 1875 on the stage of the Zhytomyr theater, the actor, director, theater figure, the native of the city, Mykola Sinelnikov, started the creative career. Magazari and Synelnikov had much in common, and most importantly – the love of the theater. With great responsibility and imagination, they worked on each production, created scenic images, picked up clothes and decorations.
Most of the episodes in the play of artist Magazari first painted on pieces of paper, and then sketches were preparing scenery, costumes and scene. The scrupulous previous work was a guarantee of success and inspired actors. Over time, Gastano and Nicholas brought together a common cause and a creative atmosphere – they became friends.
Later, Mykola Synelnikov in his book “Memoirs” told about Mogazari:
“The room he occupied consisted of three large rooms. On the walls – cabinets, filled with helmets, swords, crowns, cyrus, cannibals. All this was shining, the treatment of everything was beautiful with its filigree. Of course, it was a propaganda, but things were made so beautiful that they even made a real impression of the real ones.
The whole trains, the railway in the play “Journey around the world”, even the steamship with passengers, he created on the stage, causing the general surprise of the audience. And I did it simply, wittily. In the foreground, the deck was occupied by actors, the rear – by moving cardboard heads in hats and cartoons. Magazari sat between fake passengers and forced one-turn cardboard heads to bend or return. The illusion of a group of people who was waiting for a stop at a steamer near Liverpool Pier was created. ”
The famous and popular writer, a native of Zhytomyr, Leo Nikulin, was warmly and touchingly reminded of Magazari in his memoirs.
Over time, the talent of the talented decorator-artist came to the entrepreneurs of many theaters. The Italians were invited to move to Kyiv, Odessa, and Lviv. He politely refused, motivating that he loved Zhytomyr, his theater, his audience.
100 years ago Gastano Magazari died. What remains after a person when she leaves this world? Memory! And good deeds! As long as people remember and do good deeds, Man lives. We think that the story of the romantic life story of the talented Italian Zhytomyr citizen Gastano proves it.
Sergey Sobchuk
Member of the National Union of Local History of Ukraine
Anna Sobchuk, co-author
Translated by Aliona Matushevich