Bilash, Oleksander

Bilash, Oleksander [Bilaš], b 6 March 1931 in Hradyzke, Hlobyne raion, Poltava oblast, d 6 May 2003 in Kyiv. Composer. A graduate of the Kyiv Conservatory (1957), he wrote the opera Haidamaky (text based on the poem by Taras Shevchenko, 1965); the one-person opera Balada viiny (Ballad of War, libretto by Ivan Drach, 1970); the operetta Chysta krynytsia (The Pure Well, 1975); orchestral, vocal-instrumental, choral, and solo works; and music for plays and films. His musical legacy also includes over two hundred songs, including the immensely popular ‘Dva kol’ory’ (Two Colors) and ‘Iaseny’ (Ash Trees).