Cherubim no. 5

Bortniansky, Dmytro [Бортнянський, Дмитро; Bortnjans'kyj], b 1751 in Hlukhiv, d 10 October 1825 in Saint Petersburg. A prominent composer and conductor. After studying in the Hlukhiv Singing School, Bortniansky became a member of the court choir in Saint Petersburg in 1758 under the tutelage of Marko Poltoratsky. In 1764 he performed a solo part in H. Raupach's opera Alceste in Saint Petersburg. During this period he also studied composition under Baldassare Galuppi. From 1769 to 1779 Bortniansky studied in Italy, where he composed several operas to Italian librettos: Creonte (1776) and Alcides (1778), staged in Venice, and Quinto Fabio (1779), staged in Modena. Bortniansky also wrote liturgical works to Latin and German texts, including an ‘Ave Maria’ for two voices and orchestra.