Alexandra Davydova, née Tchaikovskaya, was Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s younger and beloved sister. When their mother died, elder sister ZinaIda was living with her husband in the Urals, and Alexandra, who was 12 at the time, had to quit her studies at Smolny Institute and become the woman of the house. She was assisted by Elizaveta Shobert — their mother’s sister, with whose family the Tchaikovskys were staying at the time.
The girl practically became a second mother for her brothers. That was especially true for the youngest twins, who lost their mother at the age of four and desperately needed care. All of them loved their sister dearly for her kindness and understanding, and called her ‘our sunshine’. Years later, her house in Kamenka almost became their family home, where they gathered most summers.
For Pyotr, Alexandra was always a source of support and consolation. She was only a year younger than her brother, so they shared all the joys and sorrows as children. He trusted her with his secret ambitions, and she strongly believed in his talent and supported him on the path he chose, even when almost the entire family was against his resignation from the Ministry of Justice.
In 1860, Alexandra married Lev DavYdov, son of a Decembrist, and left for his family estate in Ukraine. As a woman from St. Petersburg, she found the quiet and unhurried life in rural Kamenka unusual and dreary at first. That’s when Alexandra and Pyotr started an active correspondence, with her brother trying to console and cheer up his saddened sister.
Sometime later, Tchaikovsky came to visit Alexandra, and Kamenka became his frequent refuge ever since. The composer created many of his works in this house filled with love and harmony. Pyotr Tchaikovsky loved his nieces and nephews dearly — the Davydovs had seven children. He enjoyed spending time with them and organized plays for the children to take part in. It was for his nieces and nephews that the composer created a little ballet called The Lake of the Swans which possibly served as the basis for the famous Swan Lake.
Alexandra Davydova suffered from a kidney disease and died at a very young age of 49. The news about the death of his beloved sister was a heavy blow for Tchaikovsky. He learned about it on his way to America, where he was having a tour.
The girl practically became a second mother for her brothers. That was especially true for the youngest twins, who lost their mother at the age of four and desperately needed care. All of them loved their sister dearly for her kindness and understanding, and called her ‘our sunshine’. Years later, her house in Kamenka almost became their family home, where they gathered most summers.
For Pyotr, Alexandra was always a source of support and consolation. She was only a year younger than her brother, so they shared all the joys and sorrows as children. He trusted her with his secret ambitions, and she strongly believed in his talent and supported him on the path he chose, even when almost the entire family was against his resignation from the Ministry of Justice.
In 1860, Alexandra married Lev DavYdov, son of a Decembrist, and left for his family estate in Ukraine. As a woman from St. Petersburg, she found the quiet and unhurried life in rural Kamenka unusual and dreary at first. That’s when Alexandra and Pyotr started an active correspondence, with her brother trying to console and cheer up his saddened sister.
Sometime later, Tchaikovsky came to visit Alexandra, and Kamenka became his frequent refuge ever since. The composer created many of his works in this house filled with love and harmony. Pyotr Tchaikovsky loved his nieces and nephews dearly — the Davydovs had seven children. He enjoyed spending time with them and organized plays for the children to take part in. It was for his nieces and nephews that the composer created a little ballet called The Lake of the Swans which possibly served as the basis for the famous Swan Lake.
Alexandra Davydova suffered from a kidney disease and died at a very young age of 49. The news about the death of his beloved sister was a heavy blow for Tchaikovsky. He learned about it on his way to America, where he was having a tour.
