Bortniansky, Dmitri (Stepanowitch (1751, 1825)

Dmitri Stepanovich Borniansky (1751-1825)studied as a young man with Baldassare Galuppi in St. Petersburg. In 1769, Bortniansky followed Galuppi to Italy (with the help of a stipend from Russian Empress Catherine) to work in opera companies. His productions included Creonte (1776), Alcide (1778), and Quinto Fabio (1778).

After returning to Russia, he became master of the court choir in St. Petersburg. In 1796, he was appointed director of the Czar’s court chapel and a councilor of state; in addition to his other duties, he composed liturgical music, and wrote operas with French texts: La fete du seigneur (1786), Le faucon (1786), and Le fils-rival (1787).

After his death, his work spread to Prussia, where his music appeared in the Altpreußische Agende in 1829.