Mikhail Glinka was a Russian composer and one of the founders of the Russian classical music tradition. He was born in the Smolensk province into a noble family. He spent his childhood on the family estate, where he was first exposed to folk songs and домашнее музицирование (home music-making). He began studying music at an early age and later continued his education in St. Petersburg at the Noble Boarding School of the Pedagogical Institute, combining general studies with private music lessons. In 1830, he traveled to Italy and later lived in Germany. His exposure to European musical culture influenced his style, but over time he developed the idea of creating works based on Russian themes. After returning to Russia, he composed the opera “A Life for the Tsar”, which premiered in 1836 and brought him recognition. Soon after, he was appointed Kapellmeister of the Imperial Court Chapel. In 1842, he completed his second opera, “Ruslan and Lyudmila”. In the following years, Glinka traveled extensively and lived in France, Spain, Poland, and Germany. He composed songs, symphonic works, and the orchestral fantasy “Kamarinskaya”, which had a significant influence on the development of Russian symphonic music. The Bakhrushin Theatre Museum collection holds archival documents, sheet music, books, and other items related to the composer's creative work.