What nationality was composer Alexander Borodin?
Alexander Borodin Alexander Borodin Alexander Porfiryevich Borodin (; 12 November 183327 February 1887) was a Russian Romantic composer of Georgian origin. He was one of the prominent 19th-century composers known as The Mighty Handful, a group dedicated to producing a uniquely Russian kind of classical music, rather than imitating earlier Western European models. Borodin is best known for his symphonies, his two string quartets, the tone poem "In the Steppes of Central Asia" and his opera "Prince Igor". Music from "Prince Igor" and his string quartets was later adapted for the US musical "Kismet". A doctor and chemist by profession, Borodin made
Alexander Borodin money for him and his mother. In spite of this, Alexander was never publicly recognized by his mother, who stayed close but was referred to by young Borodin as his "aunt". Despite his status as a commoner, Borodin was well provided for by his Georgian father and grew up in a large four-storey house, which was gifted to Alexander and his "aunt" by the nobleman. Although his registration prevented enrollment in a proper gymnasium, Borodin received good education in all of the subjects through private tutors at home. In 1850 he entered the Medical–Surgical Academy in Saint Petersburg, which was