Stepan Ivanovich Davydov (
Russian: Степа́н Ива́нович Давы́дов,
Ukrainian: Степа́н Іва́нович Давидів; January 12 [OS January 1] 1777 – May 21 [OS May 9] 1825 in
Moscow) was an
Imperial Russian composer and singer. He was born in
Chernihiv in the Russian Empire (present-day
Ukraine).
Biography
When the principal choirboy of the Imperial Court
Capella, he drew the attention of the Empress
Catherine II, who consigned him to the care of the Italian composer
Giuseppe Sarti (1729–1802).
Davydov wrote and published a complete four-part liturgy and 13 Spiritual Choral Concerti, three of which were written for a double chorus. In the field of secular music Davydov participated in the composing of opera tetralogy Mermaid (together with
Ferdinand Kauer and
Catterino Cavos, 1803–1807, providing the additional music for the 1st, 3rd and 4th parts). He also wrote 10
ballets, various
divertissements, a series of choruses to the tragedy Amboar and Aurungzeb (1814), a concert overture and numerous other works.
He held the post of the
Kapellmeister of the Imperial Theatres in
St Petersburg (1806–1810). From 1810 he taught at the Theatrical School in
Moscow.
Lukashka, ili Svjatochnyj vecher (Лукашка или Святочный вечер – Lukashka or Christmas Eve), comic opera in one act (January 26 [OS January 14], 1816,
Moscow).
Ballets
Uvenchaannaya blagost’ (Увенчанная благость - The Crowned Goodness, November 6 [October 25] 1801,
St Petersburg,
Hermitage)