Alexander Alyabyev (1787-1851)

Alexander Alyabyev was born in 1787 in Tobolsk, in the family of the Tobolsk governor. He was well educated, and since his childhood was engaged in art learning. The governor’s family patronized the local theatre and orchestra, and virtually attended every concert or play.

During the War of 1812 Alyabyev volunteered for military service and participated in battles. Especially outstanding was his involvement in Dresden occupation organized by Denis Davydov, a well-known partisan and a poet. Alyabyev as a member of the Russian army entered Paris. Later he continued his military service in St.-Petersburg, where he composed one of his earlier songs ‘One More day’.

In 1823 Alyabyev retired in the rank of sub-colonel and moved to Moscow. Once, while playing the cards he accused one of his partners of a foul play. Being of an explosive character he struck the fouler, who died a few days later. Alyabyev was accused of murder, and the action was brought against him. The man who Alyabyev struck had been seriously ill, but all efforts to prove that his death was caused by his illness and not by the quarrel over the cards were in vain. Being in custody Alyabyev wrote his most popular romance ‘A Nightingale’.

In 1828 Alyabyev was exiled to Tobolsk, deprived of all ranks, awards and titles. Alyabyev lived in the parish of the Zakharjevsk church, where he was obliged to regular penitence. During this period he wrote mostly military and clerical music which was not published. In Tobolsk Alyabyev organized a military orchestra, and often gave concerts in favour of the poor. In 1832 Alyabyev was allowed to go to Caucasus for a healing purpose. Then he was sent to Orenburgh, and at the end of the 80th years he went to the Moscow region without the right to live in Moscow. He was only granted this right in 1843.