Passion or Profession: Composer

Period: 1840–1893

Tchaikovksy studied at the St. Petersburg Conservatory of Music and later taught at the Moscow Conservatory. He was able to devote the majority of his time to composition because of the patronage of a wealthy widow. His resulting compositions often reflect the emotional distress he experienced during his lifetime. He is most acclaimed for his classical ballets such as Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and Sleeping Beauty.