The lecture is dedicated to the life and work of Alexander Yegorovich Varlamov, an outstanding composer in the genre of Russian romance. The name of Alexander Yegorovich Varlamov is primarily associated by many with the romance "The Red Sarafan," which at one time was heard in both urban salons and rural huts. The lecture in the Turgenev salon offers a look at the genre of Russian romance as part of the cultural code of the era. Varlamov worked in various genres: he wrote music for dramatic performances, created ballets, choirs, and piano pieces. However, a special place in his legacy is occupied by about two hundred songs and romances based on the verses of contemporary poets. Among the authors of the texts are Zhukovsky, Delvig, Koltsov, Pushkin, Fet, and others. With some of them, the composer was personally acquainted, while he only knew others through publications, but he always closely followed what was happening in domestic poetry. Listeners will learn how Varlamov's career was built, how he combined performance activities with teaching, and how home evenings, salon, and amateur concerts took place. Through these examples, the fabric of musical life in the 19th century is revealed, where professional art and everyday life were almost indistinguishable. The lecture will be conducted by the head of the rare book department and memorial work, E.V. Nikolaeva. On our website, we talk about free events in Moscow.