Rimsky-Korsakov, Nicolai (1844—1908)—was a Russian composer and one of the group of nationalist composers called The Five.
Originally prepared for a naval career, in 1861 Rimsky-Korsakov turned seriously to composing. A few years later, in 1871 he became professor of composition at the St. Petersburg Conservatory, and retired from the navy two years later. In 1883, he was made assistant to Balakirev, the director of the Imperial Chapel. From 1886 to 1900, he conducted the St. Petersburg Symphony Concerts. His operas were very important and include The Snow Maiden (1881, rev. 1884), The Maid of Pskov (1873), Sadko (1895); and Le Coq d'Or. The most celebrated of Rimsky-Korsakov's orchestral compositions is Scheherezade (1888), which epitomizes his romantic exoticism and mastery of orchestral color. He died in 1908.

“Rimsky-Korsakov.” Encarta Encyclopedia. CD-ROM. Seattle: Microsoft, 2001.

“Rimsky-Korsakov.” Yahoo! Encyclopedia. January 2004. http://education.yahoo.com/referenc.../entry?id=11580