Tchaikovsky
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Marie de Benardaky

Russian singer (b. 1855; d. 1913), born Maria Pavlovna Leibrock (Мария Павловна Лейброк, Marija Pavlovna Lejbrok, Mariya Pavlvovna Leibrock); known after her marriage as Marie de Benardaky.

After studying at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory, Marie married Russian state counsellor Nicolas de Benardaky (b. 1838) in Saint Petersburg on 13/25 July 1873. The couples' elder daughter, also called Marie (1874–1949), was later immortalised as the object of Marcel Proust's affections. Marie and Nicolas also had a younger daughter, Hélène (b. 1875).

Tchaikovsky conducted a concert in the Benardaky's home on rue de Chaillot, Paris, on 28 February 1888, in which Marie de Benardaky herself sang in an orchestral arrangement of the song Does the Day Reign?—No. 6 of the Seven Romances (Op. 47)—which had been made specially by the composer at her request.

Correspondence with Marie de Benardaky:

• 2 letters from Tchaikovsky to Marie Benardaky have survived, dating from 1888.