Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky

Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky — a Russian composer, a member of 'The Mighty Handful'.  Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky came from an old noble family. He was born in the village of Karevo in the Pskov Governorate. In early childhood Mussorgsky received a home education and studied piano. He then enrolled in a German school in Saint Petersburg, and from there transferred to the School for Guards Ensigns, where he became interested in church music. Modest Petrovich's musical career began in 1852. His works were performed in various halls in Saint Petersburg and Moscow. In 1856 he entered service with the Preobrazhensky Guard Regiment, and in 1858 he moved to the Ministry of State Properties.

 

In 1861 Mussorgsky began work on the operas 'Oedipus', 'Salammbô', and 'The Marriage'. However, none of them were completed by the composer. In 1870 Modest Petrovich began work on his most famous work — the opera 'Boris Godunov'. The opera was presented to critics in 1871 and was approved with a recommendation to refine it. The premiere took place at the Mariinsky Theatre only in 1874. In 1872 Mussorgsky started work on the dramatic opera 'Khovanshchina' and the piece 'The Sorochyntsi Fair'. However, both works remained unfinished. In his last years the composer suffered greatly from the breakup of 'The Mighty Handful', criticism and lack of understanding from his colleagues. He fell into depression and became addicted to alcohol. After resigning from service, he lost his steady income. Only friends supported Modest Petrovich. In the last days of his life Mussorgsky performed at a memorial evening for F. M. Dostoevsky. On 13 February 1881 he died in the Nikolaevsky Hospital in Saint Petersburg from an attack of delirium tremens.