Berezovskii, Maksim

Born Oct. 16 (27), 1745, in Glukhov; died Mar. 22 (Apr. 2), 1777, in St. Petersburg. Russian composer. Ukrainian by nationality.

Berezovskii studied at the Kiev Theological Seminary and the Court Choir (St. Petersburg). He performed as a solo singer (Italian opera at Oranienbaum). From 1765 to 1774 he lived in Italy, where he had been sent to perfect his talent. He passed an examination for the title of composer and academician at the Bologna Philharmonic Academy (1771). Berezovskii wrote the opera Demofont (staged in Livorno in 1773). On returning to Russia, he was enrolled in a humble post in the Court Choir. The sacred concertos he wrote are outstanding examples of 18th-century Russian choral art. Constant need and his inability to find use for his creative powers brought Berezovskii to an emotional crisis. He committed suicide.