Vinogradov Iosif Solomonovich (real surname: Weinstein; also known as Josef Winogradoff (Weinstein); born 1866, Vilnius – died 1936) – baritone singer.

Iosif Vinogradov studied at the Vilnius Teachers' Institute and continued his education in Odessa. In 1885, he enrolled at the Moscow Conservatory (class of D. Leonova) and also took lessons with the French singer Jean Lassalle. Between 1887 and 1888, he toured with the Russian Opera in Berlin, and later performed in Copenhagen, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Dublin, and London.

From 1889 to 1902, he sang in various provincial Russian opera theatres. He performed in St Petersburg in 1903–04 and 1906–07, and in Moscow in 1905. In 1895, he toured South America with an Italian opera troupe. Between 1911 and 1913, he performed in London.

Vinogradov possessed a voice of exceptional power and range, marked by dramatic temperament and comedic talent. He was skilled in the use of falsetto and mastered intricate vocal technique. His repertoire included roles such as the Demon (The Demon), Figaro (The Barber of Seville), Rigoletto, Germont (La Traviata), Amonasro (Aida), Iago (Otello), Escamillo (Carmen), and many others.

He recorded for the “Odeon” label in 1912. In addition to operatic work, he performed Jewish songs and was one of the pioneers of Jewish theatre (specific company unknown). From 1920, he served as a cantor.

He toured Riga in 1890 and again in 1925 with A. F. Kartavov’s Russian opera troupe, performing roles including the Demon, Rigoletto, and Kochubey. In 1934, Iosif Vinogradov emigrated to Palestine.

Sources: Segodnya Vecher. 1925 No 100; Pruzhansky A.M Otechestvennye pevtsy. Vol1 p100

Veriņa S. Muzykalny teatr Latvii i zarozhdenie latyshskoy nacionalnoy opery. Leningrad, 1973, p65,67