About the book: 2001 / Tatyana Ivanovna Shmyga was born in Moscow, studied at the Musical and Theater School. Glazunov, then at GITIS. In 1953 she entered the Moscow Operetta Theater, where she still works. Modest Tonya and dazzling Chanita; gentle Lyubasha and stern comrade Lyubov; Lidochka from Cheryomushki and Ninon from Paris; the great actress Julia and the street flower girl Eliza... And a whole series of female images and destinies, so different, so unique, united by only one thing: Tatyana Shmyga breathed the soul into them. Many people call operetta a “light”, frivolous genre. But how many people know what this “lightness” costs an actress, how much work, sweat, and sometimes tears is hidden behind an elegant aria and a dizzying cascade? And yet, the actress would not exchange her profession for any other. After all, it gives the viewer an incomparable pleasure, which is called operetta. Operetta is a unique genre that places unique demands on its artists: sing like an opera singer, dance like a ballet soloist, act like a dramatic actor. At the same time, have a spectacular appearance and irresistible charm. It is this fusion that gives birth to the prima donna. And Tatyana Shmyga has remained the undisputed prima of Russian operetta for several decades now. However, to say “diva” about her is not enough; she is a symbol, a living personification of the operetta. Every evening she lives her whole life on stage. And just about this one could write a big, interesting book. But “Happiness Smiled at Me” is not just the actress’s memoirs. This is the history of the Operetta Theater of the second half of the 20th century, a story about its ups and downs, sorrows and joys, and most importantly - about its people who will not go into oblivion largely thanks to the book by Tatyana Shmyga. Literary entry by A. M. Danilova The book uses photographs from RIA -News, G. Gladstein, L. Pedenchuk, from the Moscow Operetta Theater Museum and from the personal archive of the author Design of the series by E. Velchinsky Artist N. Velchinskaya