Alexander Vertinsky (1889–1957), an artist of the most original talent and extraordinary destiny, was born in Kyiv. A pop idol of the first half of the 20th century, he experienced ups and downs, emigration and return to the USSR. Vertinsky performed in taverns and huge concert halls, played in theaters, and starred in films. He told almost everything about himself in his ariette songs. “My art was a reflection of my era,” Vertinsky said. At the beginning of his career, he appeared before the public in the image of an elegant, tragic and ironic Pierrot, later he came out to the audience in a black tailcoat and sang about that saint that still remained in the souls of many. “I have nothing but a world name,” Vertinsky admitted at the end of his life. This name is still popular in the 21st century.