The writing instrument decorated with enamel was presented to Tchaikovsky by the Tiflis branch of the Russian Musical Society. The composer visited Tiflis on numerous occasions and was mesmerized by the beauty of the old and cozy city.
Tchaikovsky came to Tiflis three times with his concerts; on one of those visits, in 1885, the city hosted the premiere of his opera Mazeppa. It all started when the composer’s brother Anatoly left to work there as a prosecutor. The following year, Tchaikovsky came to visit him and fell in love with the city from the very first day.
Tchaikovsky admired the beauty of Georgian nature and the hospitality of the locals; he was interested in the city’s rich history. Together with his brother’s family, he visited other Georgian cities several times, for instance, he went on vacations to Borjomi and Batumi. “This is quite a European city”, he wrote about Tiflis in his diary, “it is well-organized, clean, with an excellent climate, luxurious shops, excellent opera–basically, a city that meets the needs of a civilized European”.
What attracted the composer to Georgia was not only the nature, but also the vibrant social life. He was especially attracted to the circle of the local intelligentsia he had entered thanks to his brother. Anatoly Tchaikovsky loved theater and was close friends with many famous actors. He was also a brilliant violin player and was well received in the musical world. His house was full of guests who were eager to meet his famous brother, the composer.
Tchaikovsky was always welcome in Georgia. Each of his visits to the country became nearly a national holiday. People met him at the railway station. Festive dinners and pompous farewells were organized in his honor.
One of the events organized for Tchaikovsky shows just how much Tiflis loved him: a carriage full of lilies-of-the-valley — his favorite flowers — arrived in Tiflis to decorate the composer’s box in the theater. As soon as he arrived, the hall was filled with a round of applause.
However, despite Tchaikovsky’s love for Tiflis, he stopped visiting it when his brother Anatoly was transferred to work in a different city. The composer was looking for an opportunity to return to Tiflis, but that did not happen. Nevertheless, Tchaikovsky still cherished warm memories of the city.
Tchaikovsky came to Tiflis three times with his concerts; on one of those visits, in 1885, the city hosted the premiere of his opera Mazeppa. It all started when the composer’s brother Anatoly left to work there as a prosecutor. The following year, Tchaikovsky came to visit him and fell in love with the city from the very first day.
Tchaikovsky admired the beauty of Georgian nature and the hospitality of the locals; he was interested in the city’s rich history. Together with his brother’s family, he visited other Georgian cities several times, for instance, he went on vacations to Borjomi and Batumi. “This is quite a European city”, he wrote about Tiflis in his diary, “it is well-organized, clean, with an excellent climate, luxurious shops, excellent opera–basically, a city that meets the needs of a civilized European”.
What attracted the composer to Georgia was not only the nature, but also the vibrant social life. He was especially attracted to the circle of the local intelligentsia he had entered thanks to his brother. Anatoly Tchaikovsky loved theater and was close friends with many famous actors. He was also a brilliant violin player and was well received in the musical world. His house was full of guests who were eager to meet his famous brother, the composer.
Tchaikovsky was always welcome in Georgia. Each of his visits to the country became nearly a national holiday. People met him at the railway station. Festive dinners and pompous farewells were organized in his honor.
One of the events organized for Tchaikovsky shows just how much Tiflis loved him: a carriage full of lilies-of-the-valley — his favorite flowers — arrived in Tiflis to decorate the composer’s box in the theater. As soon as he arrived, the hall was filled with a round of applause.
However, despite Tchaikovsky’s love for Tiflis, he stopped visiting it when his brother Anatoly was transferred to work in a different city. The composer was looking for an opportunity to return to Tiflis, but that did not happen. Nevertheless, Tchaikovsky still cherished warm memories of the city.
