Mihai Timofti (19 September 1948 – 10 November 2023) was a Moldovan theatre and film director, actor, multi-instrumentalist musician, professor, screenwriter, writer and composer. Held an honorary title of "Master of Arts". He was an outstanding representative of the culture of the Republic of Moldova.
Biography In 1965 he started his activity in the popular theatre "Contemporanul" (Art Director was the playwright Mr G.Timofte), where he appeared for the first time on the stage performing the leading part in the comedy of Mr G. Timofte "The Dreams and Troubles".
In 1967, he graduated from the E. Coca Musical School (now it is the Ch. Porumbescu Lyceum), the clarinet class and piano. At the Moscow Festival of the Popular Theatres in 1967 Mihai Timofti was awarded two gold medals for the leading part in the comedy "The Dreams and Troubles" and for the music written to this play.
In 1971, he graduated from the G. Musicescu State Conservatoire (the faculty of Director of Drama).
From 1971 to 1981, he worked at the Moldova Film Studio. He turned out about 40 documentary and short musical films.
In 1985, he took an external degree of the N. Rimsky – Korsakov Leningrad (St. Petersburg) State Conservatoire, the faculty of Director of Opera.
From 1993, Timofti was a citizen of Romania.
Death On October 26, 2023, Maestro M. Timofti was admitted to the State Chancellery Hospital in Chișinău, on Drumul Viilor Street 34, to the Urology Department for kidney failure.
On November 1, 2023 (18:35), in a deplorable condition — pre-coma — he was transferred to the Timofei Moșneaga Republican Clinical Hospital, where on November 3, 2023, he underwent surgery to unblock the kidneys. The operation was stopped due to diffuse hemorrhage. Maestro Timofti remained in a deep coma (coma stage 3).
On November 10, 2023, at 12:20, Mihai Timofti died at the Timofei Moșneaga Republican Clinical Hospital in Chișinău, at the age of 75.
Cause of death (official information based on the medical death certificate — M. Timofti): I. a) Toxic-septic shock; b) Mixed sepsis: uronephrogenic, pulmonary; c) Left-sided pyonephrosis. II. Bilateral kidney stones.
On November 13, 2023, the Maestro was buried at the “Sfântul Lazăr” Cemetery in Chișinău — Section: 282 | Row: 39 | Plot: 1a st.M. Timofti was buried at Saint Lazarus cemetery in Chișinău on 13 November.
Awards In 2007, M. Timofti was awarded the honorary title of "Master of Arts". On 25 March 2019, he was awarded the "Eugene Ureche" Award at the UNITEM 2019 Prize Gala, 18th Edition.Award presentation the "Eugene Ureche" Award at the UNITEM 2019 Prize Gala, 18th Edition
Repertory
Director (performances) (From 1971 to 1981: Mihai Timofti turned out about 40 documentary and short musical films.) The Drama performance "Macbeth" by W. Shakespeare The Musical "Birthday of Leopold the Cat" by B. Saveliev (First staged in the Soviet Union) The Musical "The Treasure of Captain Flint" by B. Saveliev The Opera "Manon Lescaut" by G. Puccini The Comic Opera "Dorothea" by T. Hrennikov The Operetta "The king of Waltz" by J. Strauss The Musical "Donna Lucia" by O. Feltsman The Operetta "Silva" by I.Kalman The Operetta "The Count of Luxembourg" by Lehar The Musical "An Ugly Duckling" children’s opera by I.Kovach The Operetta "The Story of the Lead Soldier" by D. Capoianu The Operetta "Mademoiselle Nitouche" by F. Hervé The Musical "Fantasy of Christmas" by Mihai Timofti The Operetta Evening – "The Ball – Surprise" by Mihai Timofti The children’s opera “Peter Pan” by L. Profetta The Opera "Lucia di Lammermoor" by Donizetti The Operetta "Rose – Mary" by Friml and Stothart The Opera "Otello" by G. Verdi The Opera "Carmen" by G. Bizet The Opera "Aida" by G. Verdi The Operetta "Die Fledermaus" by J. Strauss (English Version) Theatrical Concert “Dor de Eminescu” () The Operetta "The Merry Widow" by F. Lehár The Operetta "Die Fledermaus" by J. Strauss (Romanian Version) The Opera "The Troubadour" by G. Verdi
Actor The Musical "The Dreams and Troubles" by M. Timofti — Take The Drama performance "Serghei Lazo" by G. Timofte — holder of order The Drama performance "Victim" by G. Timofte — Romanian officer The Drama performance "A Noisy Love" by G. Timofte — Nicolae The Film "Lăutarii" by E. Loteanu — Vasile The Vaudeville "The Hussar`s Matchmaking" — Hussar The Drama performance "The Death of Theodore Ioanovich" — Boyar Kleshnin The Drama performance "The Dead Souls" by N. Gogol — Nozdryov The Drama performance "Macbeth" by W. Shakespeare — Macbeth The Musical "Birthday of Leopold the Cat" by B. Saveliev — Cat Leopold The Operetta "Die Fledermaus" by J. Strauss (English Version) — Frosch The Operetta "The Merry Widow" by F. Lehár — Njegus The Operetta "Die Fledermaus" by J. Strauss (Romanian Version) — Frosch
Scenarist The Musical "Fantasy of Christmas" The Operetta Evening – "The Ball – Surprise" Theatrical Concert “Dor de Eminescu” ()
Composer The Musical "The Dreams and Troubles"
Selected performances
Orenburg Theatre of Musical Comedy (Director, 1984–1985) "Birthday of Leopold the Cat" by B. Saveliev "Rose – Mary" by Friml and Stothart.
Saransk Musical Theatre (Head Director, 1986–1988) "The king of Waltz" by J. Strauss The Comic Opera "Dorothea" by T. Hrennikov "Donna Lucia" by O. Feltsman
Tomsk Musical Theatre (Director, 1989–1990) "The Treasure of Captain Flint" by B. Saveliev "Dorothea" by T. Hrennikov
National Theatre of Opera and Ballet "Maria Bieşu" (Director and actor, 1990–2014) 1990 – "An Ugly Duckling” children’s opera by I. Kovach 1991 – The Operetta Evening – “ The Ball – Surprise ” (the scenario written by Mihai Timofti) The Operetta "The Story of the Lead Soldier" by D. Capoianu (National Opera and Ballet "Oleg Danovski", Constanta, Romania) 1992 – The Operetta “Mademoiselle Nitouche” by F. Hervé (The Musical Theatre, Galats, Romania) 1993 – The Opera “Lucia di Lammermoor” by Donizetti, The children’s opera “Peter Pan” 1996 – The Musical “ Fantasy of Christmas ” (the scenario written by Mihai Timofti) 1997 – The Opera “Carmen” by G. Bizet 2005 – The Opera “Aida” by G. Verdi 2006 – The Operetta “Die Fledermaus” by J. Strauss (English Version) (Director and the role of Frosch: Mihai Timofti)Mihai Timofti - Frosch 2012 – Theatrical Concert “Dor de Eminescu” () (the scenario written by Mihai Timofti) The Operetta “The Merry Widow” by F. Lehár (Director and the role of Njegus: Mihai Timofti)Mihai Timofti - Njegus 2013 – The Operetta “Die Fledermaus” by J. Strauss (Romanian Version) (Director and the role of Frosch: Mihai Timofti)Mihai Timofti - Frosch (Romanian version) Opera "Il trovatore" by G. Verdi 2014 – "An Ugly Duckling” children’s opera by I. Kovach
In Memory On June 18, 2024, in memory of Mihai Timofti, over 60 stickers were created for popular messaging apps TelegramTelegram Stickers - in memoriam M. Timofti and Viber (three packs),The first Viber stickers collection - in memoriam M. TimoftiThe second Viber stickers collection - in memoriam M. TimoftiThe third Viber stickers collection - in memoriam M. Timofti reflecting his creative legacy and cultural significance. In October 2024, two works (portraits as works of art) titled "In Memory of Maestro M. Timofti" were created by the artist Yuri Brașoveanu. The portraits also feature two quotes by M. Timofti, commemorating his artistic contributions.First graphic work (portrait as a work of art) - in memoriam M. TimoftiSecond graphic work (portrait as a work of art) - in memoriam M. Timofti On November 7, 2024, Post of Moldova issued a prepaid postcard dedicated to Mihai Timofti’s memory. The postcard was issued by the central branch of Moldovan Post (MD-2012) with a print run of 200 copies, and its cost was 12 MDL. The postcard was also made available for sale in the philatelic shop.Official Facebook Page of M. Timofti (video) - Prepaid Postcard in memory of M. Timofti - Post of MoldovaYouTube Video - Prepaid Postcard in memoriam M. Timofti - Post of MoldovaSE ”Post of Moldova”. Philately. - Prepaid Postcard in memoriam M. Timofti On November 10, 2024, a Romanian-language song was released in honor of Mihai Timofti (Timofte). This composition serves as a musical tribute to the esteemed maestro, celebrating his significant contributions to culture and the arts.YouTube - Song in Memory of M. Timofti (Timofte) - Autumn came and autumn leftOn the official Facebook page of Maestro M. Timofti - Song in Memory of M. Timofti (Timofte) - Autumn came and autumn left On November 14, 2024, another song was released, a Russian-language version. It features the original Romanian lyrics translated into Russian, with a distinct melody and a more energetic tempo. This musical interpretation symbolizes Mihai Timofti’s vibrant character — a person full of energy and humor.YouTube - Song in Memory of M. Timofti - Autumn came and autumn leftOn the official Facebook page of Maestro M. Timofti - Song in Memory of M. Timofti - Autumn came and autumn left On November 20, 2024, a personalized postage stamp was issued in memory of Maestro Mihail Timofti. Post of Moldova.A personalized postage stamp in memory of Maestro Mihai Timofti. Post of Moldova. On November 10, 2025, in memory of Maestro Mihai Timofti, a new collection of over 50 cartoon-style stickers was released, available in the popular messaging apps TelegramTelegram Cartoon-Stickers - in memoriam M. Timofti and Viber (3 packs).The first Viber Cartoon-Stickers collection - in memoriam M. TimoftiThe second Viber Cartoon-Stickers collection - in memoriam M. TimoftiThe third Viber Cartoon-Stickers collection - in memoriam M. Timofti The series is designed to convey the Maestro’s character and image through light, stylized graphics. The collections serve as a digital way to preserve his memory and continue spreading his creative legacy.Post about the release of cartoon-stickers on the official M. Timofti page (virtual museum),
References
External links Official Site
Interviu cu Maestrul Mihai Timofti by Gabriel Teodor Gherasim, New York City