Rimsky-Korsakov memorial museum goes up in flames
NewsThe composer’s home and museum at Lubensk, near St Petersburg, has been destroyed by fire.
It is the house where Rimsky died in June 1908.
The cause has not been definitively established, but careless builders are under investigation.
The director of the museum, Nina Kostenko, writes: ‘Yesterday, a terrible disaster occurred at the Rimsky-Korsakov Memorial Manor in Lubensk. A fire broke out in the main house of the manor. On each of our tours, we told visitors about this wonderful corner with an apple orchard, how cozy Lyubensk inspired Nikolai Andreevich. The estate was carefully restored, and the descendants of the composer transferred there many original objects. It is impossible to come to terms with the fact that much is now irrevocably lost. How fragile everything around us is, a moment can destroy the past saved forever. Of course, the house will be restored, but many items are lost irrevocably. Our deepest condolences to the museum staff who had to experience this terrible event. We understand what pain it is for them, for the descendants of the composer and for all of us.’
‘How fragile everything around us is, a moment can destroy the past saved forever.’
How true, Nina, and a moment can destroy futures too.
Very sad, especially for those of us who admire and love R-K’s music. But…there’s been lot of “irrevocably lost” material in Ukraine, too.
pointless comparison
Exactly!
Really, how interesting
So you mentioned Ukraine.
Are you happy?
Totally agree. A huge loss to all music lovers. However no sympathy to the Russians who have needlessly destroyed many historical and cultural sites (along with thousands of innocent lives)
Just more sour grapes, as the whole continent of Europe is about to go up in flames.
horrible .. just simply a disaster. we all – worldwide – need to defend and save our culture ..
I am sad to hear about the destruction of the museum but Rimsky’s music will live on forever regardless of the loss of his worldly ephemera. We cannot unknow what we already know and we cannot unhear what we have already heard (as long as there are musicians play his music and audiences to listen)
Maybe it was spontaneous combustion in sympathy with the death of (Rimsky-Korsakov’s champion) Richard Taruskin?
Sad to lose these lovingly preserved artifacts. The handful of Rimsky pieces that are played and played tends to obscure the fact that in many respects he is among the least known of the “great” composers. So much music that gets so few performances!