Alexander Sumarokov: biography of the "father of the Russian theater"

Alexander Petrovich Sumarokov, whose biography is inextricably linked with the development of the national culture of the XVIII century, is rightfully considered "the father of the Russian theater". He served as a playwright and librettist. Invaluable is his contribution to Russian literature, which, thanks to his poetic works, rose to a new height for those times. His name has always entered the history of Russia.

The young heir of the ancient noble family name

November 25, 1717 in Moscow in the family of ensign Peter Sumarokov, a son was born, who was named Alexander. Like many children from ancient noble families, namely the Sumarokov family, the boy received his initial training and education at home under the guidance of teachers and tutors hired by parents.

In those years, many young nobles gave preference to a military career. Alexander Sumarokov was not an exception. The biography of his independent life begins when, at the age of fifteen, he enters the Land Gentry Corps, which was opened in St. Petersburg at the behest of the Empress Anna Ioannovna. Within his walls, he spends eight years and here for the first time begins to engage in literature.

Cadet Corps and the upcoming career

During his studies at the Cadet Corps, the novice writer writes poetry and lyrics, taking as a model the works of French authors and his compatriot V. Trediakovski. His first poetic experiments are the versification of the psalms. In addition, he fulfills the orders of his comrades-he writes on their behalf the congratulatory odes of Empress Anna Ioannovna, who ruled in those years, which was in great fashion.

In 1740, among the young officers-graduates of the corps was Alexander Sumarokov. Biography says that his life in those years was developing as well as possible. In his twenty-three years he is enlisted in the office of Count Minich, soon becomes the personal secretary first Count Golovin, and then the all-powerful Alexei Razumovsky. But, despite the career opened before him, he devoted himself entirely to literature. His idol of those years - Mikhail Vasilyevich Lomonosov, famous ode of which became for Sumarokov a model of harmony and a guide in search of a creative path.

First Honored Glory

However, no real artist can be satisfied only by imitation of what is created by someone else, he always looks for his own style. That's what Sumarokov did. Biography of his creative life really begins when in the salons of the educated St. Petersburg aristocracy many lists of his love songs appear. This genre was chosen by the author not accidentally. It was he who most allowed to reveal the state of mind of Alexander - a young brilliant officer, full of romantic experiences inherent in his age.

But the real glory was brought to him by the staging of his verse drama "Khorev", which took place at court in 1747. Then she came out of the press, becoming public, which made his name popularly known. After that, also at the court, several plays are performed, the author of which was Sumarokov. Biography of his work comes from this time to a new level - he becomes a professional writer.

Saturated creative life of Sumarokov

In 1752 there was a significant event. Empress Elizaveta Petrovna, through her decree, summoned from F. Yaroslavl the outstanding theatrical figure of those years FG Volkov and instructed him to organize the first permanent theater in Russia, whose director Sumarokov was appointed.

A brief biography of him only in general terms can give an idea of the invaluable contribution that this person made to the formation of Russian stage life, but in the memory of future generations he was preserved as the "father of the Russian theater", which, you will agree, is more eloquent than any words.

His creative heritage is unusually wide. Suffice it to recall the eight tragedies that came out of his pen, twenty comedies and three operatic librettos. In addition, Sumarokov left a significant mark in other literary areas. His works are printed on the pages of the academic journal Monthly Writings, and in 1759 he begins to publish his own journal, The Hard-Working Bee. In subsequent years, numerous collections of his poems and fables are published.

The end of the poet's life and the memory of his descendants

The management of the theater Sumarokov carried out until 1761. After that, he still lives for some time in the capital, and then in 1769 moved to Moscow. Here he has a serious conflict with the commander-in-chief P. Saltykov, whose side is taken by the empress. This inflicts spiritual trauma on the poet and entails serious material problems. But, despite adversity, in the seventies, he, according to researchers, wrote his best works, such as "Dmitry Pretender", "Sneaky" and many others. He died on October 12, 1777 and was buried in the Don Cemetery in Moscow.

Descendants fully appreciated the merits of this man before the Fatherland. On the famous monument "Millennium of Russia" among the outstanding historical figures of the state is represented and Alexander Sumarokov (photo of this object the reader can see on the page). On his works grew generations of poets, who made up the glory and pride of our culture, and his theatrical compositions became a textbook for future playwrights.