GORTCHAKOFF, Lydie

Princess Lydie Gortchakoff (Lydia Alekseevna Gorchakova) née Countess Bobrinskaya was exceptionally talented. Her life was cut short at the age of just under 19. Lydia had a beautiful singing voice, played the piano, and was seriously involved in composition. In 1824, her authored collection, “Différentes pièces рour le chant et le Piano-Forte сomposées par la Princesse Lydie Gortchakoff” was published in St. Petersburg. The collection included eight vocal pieces (four romances, two cavatinas, Andante, and a duet) and five instrumental compositions (cotillion, waltz, quadrille, and two polonaises based on themes by Rossini).