Four rendezvous with Azary Messerer. Part 1

Azary Messerer (May 18, 1939, Moscow — January 21, 2017, Florida) was a Soviet and American journalist, interpreter, pianist and economist. Our conversations in February-March 2009 were reflected in series of programs about fascinating and tragic pages of history of his famous ballet and artists family : his cousin prima ballerina Maya Plisetskaya, aunts Sulamith and Rakhil Messerer and uncle Asaf Messerer. He was also a cousin of artist Boris Messerer, husband of poet Bella Akhmadullina, and ballet dancers Alexander and Azary Plisetsky. He himself in early childhood became famous as a child actor playing in the film The Fifteen-year-old Captain in 1945. Azary Messerer continued the journalistic and musical activities in the USA where he emigrated in 1981. He taught English and Russian and English literature and was constantly published in the Russian language art magazines. He also played a number of piano recitals. Azary Messerer visited Australia many times to see his daughter Alice and her family. On September 20, 2018 ashes of Azary Messerer were re-buried at Novodievichye cemetery in Moscow in a family grave. The program is illustrated by piano music performed by Azary Messerer

Family Messerer. From left to right siting: Alexander, Sima Moiseevna (mother), Mikhail Borisovich (father), Rakhil and Elizaveta. Standing: Emmanuil, Azary,

Family Messerer. From left siting: Alexander, Sima Moiseevna, Mikhail Borisovich, Rakhil and Elizaveta. Standing: Emmanuil, Azary, Asaf, Mattany, Sulamith Source: Supplied by Danyal Syed

Azary Messerer as little Jack in 15 Year Old Captain, 1945

Azary Messerer as little Jack in 15 Year Old Captain, 1945 Source: Supplied by Danyal Syed

Source: SBS