Mykhailo Hrebinecky (* 1887, Kyiv region - † 26 June 1943, New York) was a Ukrainian singer (low bass). He is known for his performances with the Ukrainian Choir of Oleksandr Koshyts and the Ukrainian National Quartet (USA).
Biography.
Mykhailo Hrebinetskyi was born in 1887 in the Kyiv region. He graduated from the Theological Seminary and the Petrograd Forestry Institute.
Being a talented singer, he studied singing under the guidance of Professor Delnorde. In a short time, Mikhail achieved great success in the singing studios and in 1914 he was ready to perform at the St Petersburg Opera, but these intentions did not come true because of the war that had just broken out.
After the war, Mykhailo Hrebinetskyi began performing as a member of the O. Koszycki Chapel, taking part in concerts in Europe, North and South America.
In October 1922, part of the chapel, renamed the Ukrainian National Choir, moved to the United States. As a member of the choir, Mykhailo Hrebinetskyi performed with his sister Mariia Hrebinetska and his wife Dora (Fedora) Stetsenko, the sister of the famous composer Kyrylo Stetsenko.
Later, Mykhailo became the soloist of the Ukrainian National Quartet (a vocal quartet with piano and guitar), which was popular in the United States: Mykhailo Hrebinetskyi, Yosyp (Ivan) Davydenko, Klym Shchyt, and Petro Ordynskyi.
Recordings of their songs have survived, including "Prometheus" (music by K. Stetsenko), "Chumak", "Komar", "Hear, My Brother" by B. Lepkyi, "Oh, the Hoop Broke" (folk song), "Two Women" (humorous song).
M. Hrebinetskyi was known to a wide range of American society for his concert performances. He also took part in Ukrainian concerts and performances, in which he showed dramatic talent. American journalist Nestor Novowirsky (1890-1972) wrote: "Nature gave Mykhailo Hrebinetskyi an exceptional voice. He had a low bass and knew how to use it like a true artist, shading the most delicate, fragile feelings with a perfectly mastered melodiousness."
M. Hrebinetskyi died on 26 June 1943. He was buried in Melville Cemetery (Long Island, New York).
