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Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolaevich (1827–1892)

Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolaevich

Russian Grand Duke (b. 9/21 September 1827 in Saint Petersburg; d. 13/25 January 1892 in Pavlovsk), born Konstantin Nikolaevich Romanov (Константин Николаевич Романов, Konstantin Nikolaevič Romanov, Konstantin Nikolayevich Romanov); also known as Grand Duke Constantine Nikolaevich.

During the reign of his brother Alexander II (1818–1881), Konstantin was an admiral of the Russian fleet and reformed the Russian Navy. He was also an instrumental figure in the emancipation of the serfs. He was less fortunate as viceroy of Poland and had to be recalled to Russia where he was attacked for his liberalism.

From 1865 to 1881 he was President of the State Council. However, after the assassination of his brother Alexander II in 1881, the Grand Duke fell from favour under the reign of the new emperor, his nephew Alexander III, who opposed Konstantin’s liberal ideas and gradually stripped him of all his governmental positions. His retirement was marked with personal turmoil and family setbacks. After suffering a stroke, he spent his last years as an invalid.

Konstantin had a great appreciation for the arts, and enjoyed drawing and music, learning to play the piano and cello. In 1873 he succeeded the Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna (1807–1873) as President of the Imperial Russian Musical Society. In this capacity Tchaikovsky dedicated to him his opera The Oprichnik (1870–72) and the String Quartet No. 2 (1874).

In 1848 Konstantin married Princess Alexandra Friederike Henriette of Saxe-Altenburg (1830–1911), who assumed the title Grand Duchess Aleksandra Iosifovna. They had six children, one of whom—Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich (1858–1915)—became a regular correspondent with Tchaikovsky.

Tchaikovsky's works dedicated to Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolaevich:

• The Oprichnik, TH 3 (1870–72)
• String Quartet No. 2, Op. 22 (1874).