Hello and welcome to Queer as Fact, a podcast bringing you queer history from around the world

and throughout time.

I'm Irene.

I'm Alice.

And I'm Eli.

And today we're going to be talking about the 19th century Russian composer, Piotr Ilyat

Tchaikovsky.

Before we get going, I have a few things to say.

Firstly, content warnings. This episode will contain mentions of suicide, relationships between adults and adolescents,

and period-typical homophobia, both societal and, like,

internalized homophobia from Piotr himself. It also contains a cholera pandemic,

death by cholera, and just general discussions of pandemic, which are currently a sensitive topic.

So look after yourselves. This is part two of our Tchaikovsky Chupada.

If you haven't heard part one, it was the previous episode.

Go back and have a listen to that first.

In December of 1876, Piotr received several very well-paid commissions from a wealthy widow

named Nadej de Von Meck.

Not long into the new year, after he had fulfilled her requests,

she wrote him a letter thanking him for how fast he had worked, and adding that, with your music,

my life is made easier and more pleasant. As soon as she received the works, Nadejda became

immediately fascinated with Piotr. I at once wished to know what sort of man had created such a piece, she wrote to him.

I began to seek out all opportunities to learn as much about you as possible, passing up no chance

...