Mikhail Glinka

Mikhail Glinka (1804-1857) was a pioneering Russian composer, often regarded as the father of Russian classical music. His works, such as 'A Life for the Tsar' and 'Ruslan and Lyudmila,' laid the foundation for future Russian composers and helped establish a national style in classical music. Glinka’s blend of Russian folk melodies with classical forms set the stage for the emergence of a distinctly Russian musical identity.