Composer, violinist and pianist whose compositions and attitudes foreshadow the work of Musorgsky and, to some extent, the "Moguchaya kuchka" (though he remianed indeoendent from them). Dargomizhsky was a good performer but mostly considered an accomplished amateur. He learned composition -- harmony, technique, et al -- through the use of Glinka's notebooks of harmony exercises (and by playing Beethoven, Mozart, et al, side-by-side with Glinka). This was the primary training he had in composition. Drawn to theatrical productions and the Grand Opera, he composed "Esmerelda" in 1839 -- it took eight years to be performed after its completion and had the distinct characteristics of French grand opera. (When it was finally presented on the stage, "Esmerelda" was not well-received in the Russian opera houses which were now appreciative of the Italian opera: 1847) Prior to this disappointment Alexander resigned a position he had held with the civil service, and traveled to Brussels: then to Paris where he met Auber, Meyerbeer and Halevy. It is at this time that Dargomizhsky's musical character developed. He missed his homeland and began to compose with the classic Russian folk melodies towards a realistic depiction of human emotion. The purpose of art was to convey the truth of the human spirit and music was able to accomplish this most directly. The notes, for Alexander, should be used to express the truth. Accordingly, his operas took on Russain qualities and stories not so much for philanthropic concerns as to give a voice to scenes from everyday life. His most successful opera was "Rusalka" based on a play by Pushkin; however, the most famous work was probably that which was never finished by Dargomizhsky, "The Stone Guest". Its cause was taken up by the "Moguchaya kuchka" and the different acts and scenes were composed by different members. It was never well-received. Perhaps the forerunner of the Russian National School, Dargomizhsky remains important for his influence toward a national Russian character in music, for his theoretical aspirations to make the note tell the truth, and, for his extended range -- easy lyricism to powerful drama, simple to complex, folk qualities to the spiritedness of Russia. ~ Keith Johnson, All Music Guide