Tchaikovsky
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Ivan Samarin

Ivan Vasil'evich Samarin (Иван Васильевич Самарин) was a Russian dramatic actor, and theatrical teacher. Born on 7/19 January 1817 in Saint Petersburg.

Born to a poor family, Samarin made his stage debut in 1832 while still a student at the Moscow Theatrical School. He went on to have a long and distinguished career at the Malyi Theatre in Moscow (1837-1885). He was also professor of drama classes at the Moscow Conservatory, where he directed a student production of Tchaikovsky's opera Evgenii Onegin in 1879,

In 1884 Tchaikovsky wrote an entr'acte entitled A Grateful Greeting, as part of the celebrations for Samarin's 50th year as an artist. After the actor's death this was published under the title Elegy for String Orchestra.

Ivan Samarin died on 13/25 November 1885, aged 68.