Likhobabin Sergei Pavlovich (Russian: Лихобабин Сергей Павлович, pronounced [lʲɪxɐʹbabʲɪn]; born 5 June 1952) is a Russian singer (tenor), Honoured Artist of the Russian Federation.
Sergei Likhobabin was born on June 5, 1952 in the village of Magnitny. Everyone in his family loved singing and Sergei “gave his first concert” when he was 4 years old. The young talent was invited to all the parties. However, when Sergei grew up, he was sure that this occupation would not earn a piece of bread. So, in 1972, he graduated from Magnitogorsk Vocational School No. 41 (his specialist field was Electrician).
A chance encounter with the director of the M. I. Glinka Magnitogorsk Music School Semyon Eidinov (Russian: Семён Эйдинов) changed everything. In 1978, Sergei Likhobabin graduated from the Conducting and Choral Department of this institution (A. V. Nikitin’s class, Russian: А. В. Никитин). In 1985, he graduated from the Vocal Department of the Krasnoyarsk State Institute of Arts (since 2018 – Dmitri Hvorostovsky Siberian State Academy of Arts). His specialty field was Opera singer, Chamber music performer, Vocal teacher (People's Artist of the Russian Federation V. V. Efimov’s class; Russian: В. В. Ефимов).
In 1974-1979, he worked at S. G. Eidinov Magnitogorsk State Choral Chapel; in 1979-1980 – at the Novokuznetsk Song and Dance Ensemble, Kemerovo Oblast; in 1985-1988 –at the Saransk Musical Comedy Theatre, where he performed more than 20 roles.
In 1988, Likhobabin returned to the S. G. Eidinov Magnitogorsk State Choral Chapel, where he worked as a soloist till 1998. In 1997, as a member of the chapel, he took part in the Great Choral Cathedral, dedicated to the 800th anniversary of Moscow. In 1998, he became the winner of the O. Lasso International Choir Competition held in the Vatican.
In 1996, the Magnitogorsk Opera and Ballet Theatre was opened. The idea of creation belongs to Alexandr Nikolayevich Yakupov (Russian: Александр Николаевич Якупов), Honoured Art Worker of Russia, Doctor of Art History, former rector of the Magnitogorsk State Conservatory named after M. I. Glinka. Having become the Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the theatre, Alexandr Yakupov involved soloists (including Likhobabin) of the Magnitogorsk S. G. Eidinov Magnitogorsk State Choral Chapel to productions. In 1998, Sergei became a soloist of the Magnitogorsk Opera and Ballet Theatre and made a significant contribution to its development. Likhobabin brilliantly debuted as José (Carmen by Georges Bizet). Gradually, the soloist successfully embodied the images of Herman (The Queen of Spades by Pyotr Tchaikovsky), Count Danilo (The Merry Widow by Franz Lehár), Gabriel von Eisenstein (The Bat by Johann Strauss II), Turiddu (Cavalleria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni), Mister X (The Circus Princess by Emmerich Kálmán), Lensky (Eugene Onegin by Pyotr Tchaikovsky) and others. His creative versatility (Sergei is able to sing operas, operettas, and romances) helped to boldly increase the repertoire of the theatre. Likhobabin sang all the main tenor parts in operas and operettas.
Sergei Likhobabin is the winner of regional contests of chamber music performers (1991, 1993). His contribution to the development of culture was noted by the Legislative Assembly of the Chelyabinsk Oblast (2006). He was awarded Honorary diplomas of the Governor of the Chelyabinsk Oblast and the Mayor of Magnitogorsk (2002). In 2002, Likhobabin received the title of Honoured Artist of the Russian Federation.