People's Artist of Russia Recipient of the medal of the Order For Services to the Fatherland, second class Prize-winner at the International Youth and Student Festival competition in Havana (1977) • Prize-winner at the International Francisco Viñes Young Opera Singers' Competition (Barcelona, Grand-prix, 1978) Mikhail Kit was born in 1943 in Kolomiya (Ukraine). Graduated from the vocals faculty of the Odessa Conservatoire in 1973. As a fifth-year student, he was invited to join Leningrad's Maly Opera and Ballet Theatre. Soloist at the Perm Opera and Ballet Theatre from 1973-1986. Soloist with the Mariinsky Theatre since 1986.