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Alexander Porfiryevich Borodin
About museum
Alexander Porfiryevich Borodin – a Russian composer, a member of the 'The Mighty Handful', an organic chemist, public figure and physician. He was born in Saint Petersburg and was the illegitimate son of Prince L. S. Gedianov. He received his surname and patronymic from the prince's valet, Porfiry Borodin. The future composer was educated at home and later graduated with distinction from the St. Petersburg Medical and Surgical Academy. His scientific career was successful: Borodin earned a Doctor of Medicine degree, the ranks of professor and academician, and headed the Department of Chemistry at the Medical and Surgical Academy.
In the 1860s Borodin became a member of the circle 'The Mighty Handful', which was led by M. A. Balakirev. In 1867 Borodin wrote his First Symphony, which brought him recognition. After the success of the First Symphony, Alexander Borodin began work simultaneously on two major works – the Second Symphony ('Bogatyrskaya', 1876) and the opera 'Prince Igor' based on 'The Tale of Igor's Campaign'. Work on the opera stretched over 18 years, and the work remained unfinished. The composer died on 27 February 1887 in Saint Petersburg from an exacerbation of heart disease.
Date of birth
12 November 1833
Date of death
27 February 1887
Occupation
Composer