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==In The Spotlight== | ==In The Spotlight== | ||
| − | ===THE | + | ===NINA KORNILOVA AND THE KORNILOV DYNASTY=== |
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| − | + | [[File:Aleksandr_Kornilov_and_Nina_Kornilova.jpeg|right|thumb|410px|Nina & Aleksandr Kornilov]] | |
| + | There never have been many elephant acts in the Soviet and Russian circus. Several members of the Durov family have included one pachyderm or two in their animal presentations and a small number of animal trainers, such as Boris Fedotov, Sarvat Begbudi and Msistlav Zapashny have trained elephants. The Kornilov Dynasty, however, is the exception that confirms the rule: Since 1929, they have not only been the great Russian elephant-training specialists, but they also have been among the world’s very best—and the productions of their magnificent acts remain unequaled. | ||
| − | + | Born November 22, 1903 in Russia, Aleksandr Nikolaievich Kornilov (1903-1977), the founder of the Dynasty, began his professional life as a sailor. At the end of the 1920s, he landed in Samara, the great port city on the Volga river, where he discovered the traveling menagerie of Ivan Lazarevich Filatov (1873-1956)—the father of the legendary Russian bear trainer Valentin Filatov and scion of an old family of itinerant animal trainers. | |
| − | + | This unforeseen encounter changed Kornilov’s life: Although he was indeed fascinated by the Filatov Menagerie exhibitions, he was even more attracted to Masha, the pretty young girl who handled the box office. Masha (Maria Ivanovna Filatova, 1904-1975) was Ivan Lazarevich’s daughter: They quickly fell in love, and Aleksandr decided to stay on dry land and follow Masha, whom he eventually married. | |
| − | + | Now part of the family, Aleksandr had to bring his contribution to his father-in-law’s business. Working as a simple cage and stable boy, he did his apprenticeship on the job. After having acquired enough experience caring for the menagerie’s animals, he finally made his public debut as a trainer in 1929 with a group that included brown bears, polar bears and lions. He presented also the menagerie’s single elephant in a sketch titled ''The Elephant at the Restaurant''. | |
| − | + | Elephant training appealed to Aleksandr, and Ivan Filatov eventually trusted his pachyderm to him. Later, three additional elephants joined his original animal when Kornilov became part of the central system of Soviet circuses (G.O.M.E.Ts., which later became SoyuzGosTsirk); it allowed him to expand his act without having to bear personally the financial burden. (Ivan Filatov, for his part, was asked by the government to organize the zoological park system of the U.S.S.R.) | |
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| + | At a time when Russian elephant acts included only one or two animals, Kornilov’s four elephants looked like a herd! This effect was amplified in 1943 when he created his first "attraction," ''Elephants and Dancers'', with a group of fourteen dancers whose soloist was the young and talented Nina Suprun—the future Nina Kornilova (1926-2025).... ([[The Kornilov Dynasty|more...]]) | ||
==New Essays and Biographies== | ==New Essays and Biographies== | ||
| + | * [[Cirkus_Verdensteater_(Oslo)|Cirkus Verdensteater]], Oslo Circus Building | ||
| + | * [[Eddie Murillo]], Circus Agent and Producer | ||
| + | * [[The Biasini Family]], Circus Owners, Artists | ||
* [[Paul Jerome]], Clown | * [[Paul Jerome]], Clown | ||
* [[Evelyn and André]], Aerialists, Acrobats | * [[Evelyn and André]], Aerialists, Acrobats | ||
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| − | |||
| − | |||
==New Videos== | ==New Videos== | ||
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Simet_Troupe_Video_(2025)|Laszlo Simet Troupe]], Koch semaphore (2025) |
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Dick_Chipperfield_Video_(1974)|Dick Chipperfield]], lion act (1974) |
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Holzmair_Video_(1976)|Wolfgang Holzmair]], lion act (1976) |
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Lu_Mingyue_Video_(2025)|Lu Mingyue]], foot juggling (2025) |
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Rudi-Llata_Video_(1956)|The Rudi-Llatas]], clown entrée (1956) |
==New Oral Histories== | ==New Oral Histories== | ||
Latest revision as of 23:55, 14 July 2025
|
In The Spotlight
NINA KORNILOVA AND THE KORNILOV DYNASTY
There never have been many elephant acts in the Soviet and Russian circus. Several members of the Durov family have included one pachyderm or two in their animal presentations and a small number of animal trainers, such as Boris Fedotov, Sarvat Begbudi and Msistlav Zapashny have trained elephants. The Kornilov Dynasty, however, is the exception that confirms the rule: Since 1929, they have not only been the great Russian elephant-training specialists, but they also have been among the world’s very best—and the productions of their magnificent acts remain unequaled.
Born November 22, 1903 in Russia, Aleksandr Nikolaievich Kornilov (1903-1977), the founder of the Dynasty, began his professional life as a sailor. At the end of the 1920s, he landed in Samara, the great port city on the Volga river, where he discovered the traveling menagerie of Ivan Lazarevich Filatov (1873-1956)—the father of the legendary Russian bear trainer Valentin Filatov and scion of an old family of itinerant animal trainers.
This unforeseen encounter changed Kornilov’s life: Although he was indeed fascinated by the Filatov Menagerie exhibitions, he was even more attracted to Masha, the pretty young girl who handled the box office. Masha (Maria Ivanovna Filatova, 1904-1975) was Ivan Lazarevich’s daughter: They quickly fell in love, and Aleksandr decided to stay on dry land and follow Masha, whom he eventually married.
Now part of the family, Aleksandr had to bring his contribution to his father-in-law’s business. Working as a simple cage and stable boy, he did his apprenticeship on the job. After having acquired enough experience caring for the menagerie’s animals, he finally made his public debut as a trainer in 1929 with a group that included brown bears, polar bears and lions. He presented also the menagerie’s single elephant in a sketch titled The Elephant at the Restaurant.
Elephant training appealed to Aleksandr, and Ivan Filatov eventually trusted his pachyderm to him. Later, three additional elephants joined his original animal when Kornilov became part of the central system of Soviet circuses (G.O.M.E.Ts., which later became SoyuzGosTsirk); it allowed him to expand his act without having to bear personally the financial burden. (Ivan Filatov, for his part, was asked by the government to organize the zoological park system of the U.S.S.R.)
At a time when Russian elephant acts included only one or two animals, Kornilov’s four elephants looked like a herd! This effect was amplified in 1943 when he created his first "attraction(Russian) A circus act that can occupy up to the entire second half of a circus performance.," Elephants and Dancers, with a group of fourteen dancers whose soloist was the young and talented Nina Suprun—the future Nina Kornilova (1926-2025).... (more...)
New Essays and Biographies
- Cirkus Verdensteater, Oslo Circus Building
- Eddie Murillo, Circus Agent and Producer
- The Biasini Family, Circus Owners, Artists
- Paul Jerome, Clown
- Evelyn and André, Aerialists, Acrobats
New Videos
- Laszlo Simet Troupe, Koch semaphoreRotating apparatus originated in the 1940s by the Koch Sisters in Russia, used as a moving high wire. (2025)
- Dick Chipperfield, lion act (1974)
- Wolfgang Holzmair, lion act (1976)
- Lu Mingyue, foot juggling (2025)
- The Rudi-Llatas, clown entrée(French) Clown piece with a dramatic structure, generally in the form of a short story or scene. (1956)
New Oral Histories
- Dominique Jando interview by the Circus Historical Society (2025)
- Evelyn & André Interview on Blikk TV (2015)
- For A Moment You Fly, The First Season of The Big Apple Circus (1977)
- Vladimir Durov Documentary on Russian Television (c.2000)
- Dolly Jacobs Interview at The Ringling (2018)
Circopedia Books
- Philip Astley & The Horsemen who invented the Circus, by Dominique Jando (2018)
A Message from the Founder
CIRCOPEDIA is a constantly evolving and expanding archive of the international circus, maintained by reliable circus historians and specialists. New videos, biographies, essays, and documents are added to the site on a weekly—and sometimes daily—basis. Keep visiting us: even if today you don't find what you're looking for, it may well be here tomorrow! And if you are a serious circus scholar and spot a factual or historical inaccuracy, do not hesitate to contact us: we will definitely consider your remarks and suggestions.
- Dominique Jando
- Founder and Curator
