Anniversaries of Russia: "M. U. Lermontov in Russian music" exhibition, dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the poet, in St. Petersburg

On October 31, 2014, in the Korf Hall of in the Main Building of the National Library (St. Peteryuurg) opened "A word, Become the Music!": M. U. Lermontov in Russian Music" exhibition. The exhibition marks the 200th anniversary of the poet’s birth.

Lermontov's poetry is an everlasting source of inspiration for composers. Based on the works of the poet were created numerous songs, operas, ballets, and symphonies. Besides lyric of a genius poet, his prose gets its second birth in a variety of musical genres and forms. And today, many musicians, some of whom are professionals, and some - amateurs, save a keen interest in the works of Lermontov, so many writer’s pieces set to music dozens times, and some - even more than a hundred.

The exhibition at the National Library of Russia reveals the collections of musical works created by both known and unjustly forgotten composers in different years, large and small pieces of music based on poems by Mikhail Lermontov. Among these are works by César Cui, Alexander Dargomyzhsky, Anton Rubinstein, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and Mily Balakirev.

Rich illustrative material, in particular - the reproductions of works of stage designers, who had been creating the scenery of the based on Lermontov’s works operas’ and ballets’ productions, is complementing the exhibition.

The exhibition also presents the editions from the library collection associated with the life and work of Lermontov. Among these are biographical and research literature, copies of notes from the author's corrections, copies of unique poet’s handwritten documents, his drawings, the illustrations of works of the poet created by famous artists.

The exhibition will continue until the 30th of November.