Dmitri Nabokov

Dmitri Nabokov was the son of renowned author Vladimir Nabokov and his wife Véra Nabokova, and he spent his life navigating the intersection of his family's literary legacy and his own pursuits in the world of opera and translation. Born in Berlin, Germany, Dmitri was exposed to the works of Fyodor Dostoevsky, Leo Tolstoy, and Anton Chekhov from a young age, and he developed a deep appreciation for Russian literature. As the son of a prominent author, Dmitri often found himself in the company of notable figures such as Evelyn Waugh, Graham Greene, and W.H. Auden. His family's frequent moves, which took them to Paris, France, and eventually to the United States, also brought him into contact with other influential writers, including Ernest Hemingway and James Joyce.

● Early Life

Dmitri Nabokov's early life was marked by frequent moves, as his family traveled between Europe and the United States. He spent time in Paris, France, where he was exposed to the works of Marcel Proust and Jean-Paul Sartre, and later in the United States, where he attended Harvard University and developed an interest in opera and music. During his time at Harvard University, Dmitri was influenced by the works of Igor Stravinsky and Sergei Rachmaninoff, and he began to pursue a career in opera. He also became acquainted with the works of T.S. Eliot and Virginia Woolf, which further shaped his literary tastes. As he navigated his early life, Dmitri often found himself drawn to the worlds of art and literature, and he developed a deep appreciation for the works of Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí.

● Career

Dmitri Nabokov's career as an opera singer took him to stages around the world, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York City and the La Scala in Milan, Italy. He performed in a variety of roles, including those in Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata and Gioachino Rossini's The Barber of Seville. As he established himself as a singer, Dmitri also began to work as a translator, using his knowledge of Russian and English to translate the works of his father, Vladimir Nabokov, as well as those of other authors, including Mikhail Bulgakov and Boris Pasternak. His translations of Vladimir Nabokov's works, such as Lolita and Pale Fire, helped to introduce his father's writing to a wider audience, and he also worked with other notable authors, including Isaiah Berlin and Stephen Spender. Throughout his career, Dmitri was influenced by the works of Dylan Thomas and Samuel Beckett, and he developed a deep appreciation for the theater and drama.

● Personal Life

Dmitri Nabokov's personal life was marked by a deep connection to his family, particularly his father, Vladimir Nabokov. He often accompanied his father on butterfly-hunting expeditions, and he developed a shared love of nature and the outdoors. Dmitri also had a close relationship with his mother, Véra Nabokova, who played an important role in managing her husband's literary career. As he navigated his personal life, Dmitri often found himself drawn to the worlds of philosophy and psychology, and he developed a deep appreciation for the works of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. He was also influenced by the works of Albert Camus and Jean-Paul Sartre, and he developed a strong interest in existentialism and absurdism. Throughout his life, Dmitri maintained a strong connection to his family's literary legacy, and he worked to promote his father's writing, often in collaboration with other notable authors, including Martin Amis and Salman Rushdie.

● Translation Work

Dmitri Nabokov's translation work played a significant role in his career, as he worked to bring his father's writing to a wider audience. He translated many of Vladimir Nabokov's works, including Lolita, Pale Fire, and Speak, Memory, and he also translated the works of other authors, including Mikhail Bulgakov's The Master and Margarita and Boris Pasternak's Doctor Zhivago. His translations were widely praised for their accuracy and nuance, and they helped to establish him as a prominent figure in the world of literary translation. Throughout his translation work, Dmitri was influenced by the works of T.S. Eliot and Ezra Pound, and he developed a deep appreciation for the poetry and prose of James Joyce and Virginia Woolf. He also worked with other notable translators, including Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky, and he developed a strong interest in the theory and practice of translation.

● Later Life and Death

In his later life, Dmitri Nabokov continued to work as a translator and opera singer, while also managing his father's literary estate. He worked closely with Vladimir Nabokov's publishers, including G.P. Putnam's Sons and McGraw-Hill, to ensure that his father's writing remained widely available. Dmitri also collaborated with other authors, including Martin Amis and Salman Rushdie, on various literary projects, and he developed a deep appreciation for the works of Don DeLillo and Thomas Pynchon. He passed away on February 23, 2012, in Vevey, Switzerland, leaving behind a legacy as a talented opera singer, translator, and devoted son. Throughout his life, Dmitri was influenced by the works of Samuel Beckett and Harold Pinter, and he developed a strong interest in the theater and drama. His death was mourned by the literary community, and he was remembered for his contributions to the world of literature and music. Category:American opera singers