Actress Irina Alferova once admitted that her early impressions of Valery Leontiev’s artistry were less than enthusiastic. The revelation came from a conversation with teleprogramma.pro, where she opened up about how her opinions shifted after witnessing Leontiev perform live.
Before hearing him in person, Alferova recalled, she did not feel drawn to Leontiev’s songs. Her view changed dramatically the moment she listened to him on stage. “For example, I remember Valery Leontiev’s performance. I really didn’t care for him — he sings and sings. But when Valery sang, I jumped right from my seat. How did he reach those notes!” she shared with frankness about her reaction as a spectator.
Alferova went on to explain that her stance toward many Soviet artists evolved through the power of live performances. She emphasized that a person’s true artistry becomes visible only when witnessed in a dedicated solo concert. “Then I realized that you cannot judge a performer until you attend a solo show,” she said. She also noted that the impact of listening to music at home often doesn’t compare with the immediacy and atmosphere of a concert hall.
From 1976 to 1993, Irina Alferova’s personal life was intertwined with actor Alexander Abdulov. The couple met at Lenkom, a theatre renowned for its stagecraft and creative energy. Following their marriage, Abdulov chose to adopt Alferova’s daughter from a previous relationship. Their union, however, ended in 1993 amid Abdulov’s betrayals, marking a difficult chapter in Alferova’s life.
In 1995, Alferova found happiness anew with Sergei Martynov. The couple met on the set of Sheriff’s Star, a project that brought them together amid the bustle of filming. Martynov had his own history in the performing world, having two prior marriages and three children—Natalya, Anastasia, and Sergey—from a previous relationship. This background adds to the tapestry of Alferova’s public life, where professional and personal narratives have long been shaped by the camaraderie of the stage and the screen.