12 Facts About Olga Knipper

Olga Knipper played Arkadina in The Seagull, played Elena in the Moscow premiere of Uncle Vanya, and was the first to play Masha in Three Sisters and Madame Ranevskaya in The Cherry Orchard.

Olga Knipper married Anton Chekhov, the author of these plays, in 1901.

Olga Knipper played Ranevskaya again in 1943, when the theatre marked the 300th performance of The Cherry Orchard.

Olga Knipper attended a private school for girls, achieved fluency in French, German and English, and took music and singing lessons after her rigorous day in school.

Olga Knipper showed considerable promise as a painter and was her own accompanist on the piano when she entertained friends and family at dinner parties.

In 1894, Olga Knipper's father died unexpectedly, leaving the 25-year-old and her mother with debts incurred from living well beyond their means.

Olga Knipper proceeded without her mother's approval and abandoned her social circle, sacrifices she was willing to make: "Whenever in my life I really wanted something, and really believed in the possibility of achieving what I wanted and acted energetically, I always succeeded and never regretted going my own way", she wrote.

Olga Knipper enrolled briefly into the Maly Theatre's drama school, although she dropped out one month later.

Knipper and Chekhov exchanged telegrams and letters for the next few years, while Olga became more familiar with Chekhov's younger sister, Masha.

Olga Knipper was to play the middle of three sisters and one brother.

Olga Knipper received much praise for her portrayal as Masha, much to Chekhov's amusement.

Anton Chekhov and Olga Knipper eventually married on 25 May 1901 at the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross, in Moscow.