Mikhail Glinka

Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka (??????? ????????? ???????) (June 1, 1804 – February 15, 1857) was the first Russian composer to gain wide recognition inside his own country, and is often regarded as the father of Russian classical music.

Life

Glinka was the son of a wealthy merchant. This afforded him the opportunity to spend much of his youth being schooled in many countries across Europe where he soaked up the culture of the more musically advanced European countries. His education in music theory was minimal, for he chose instead to associate himself with the poets and artists of the time instead of fellow composers.

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During this period there was little to no Russian national music. Instead the aristocracy imported their music from the major musical countries such as Germany, France, and Italy. Inspired by the work of Vincenzo Bellini and Gaetano Donizetti, he set out to write the first wholly Russian opera.

Related Topics:
Vincenzo Bellini - Gaetano Donizetti

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