Alexey Verstovsky

Full biography Alexey Verstovsky

Alexey Nikolayevich Verstovsky (1799-1862) was a Russian composer and musical bureaucrat who was a contemporary and rival of Mikhail Glinka, the father of Russian classical music. He was born on February 18, 1799, in Tver Province, Russia and died on November 17, 1862. Verstovsky wrote a large number of musical works for the stage, which include operas, operettas, ballets, and incidental music. His most famous work is the opera "Askold's Grave," which was composed in 1835 and enjoyed great popularity in Russia during his lifetime.

Verstovsky had a successful career in the Russian Imperial Theatre and served in various roles, including chief librarian, chief conductor, and composer-in-residence. His work was highly regarded by his contemporaries, including Nikolai Gogol and Ivan Turgenev, who were both fans of "Askold's Grave." Verstovsky's music was known for its lyrical melodies, vivid orchestration, and emotional expressiveness.

Verstovsky wrote a large number of songs, both in Russian and French. He is considered to be one of the pioneers of Russian art song and influenced many composers of the next generation, including Anton Rubinstein and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Verstovsky's songs often feature folk melodies and are known for their poetic sensitivity.

In addition to his musical career, Verstovsky was also a successful theatrical manager. He worked as a director at several theaters in Russia and was known for his innovative staging and production techniques. Despite his achievements, Verstovsky's reputation suffered after his death, and his works fell into obscurity. However, his contributions to Russian musical and theatrical culture have recently been rediscovered and celebrated, and his works are once again being performed and studied.