The wedding of Nadezhda Purgold and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov took place on June 30 (now this date is remembered as July 12, according to the new style) in 1872 at the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, located in a picturesque place — on a hill by a pond, in Shuvalovsky Park near Pargolovo. Architect Bryullov designed the building in the Gothic style, unusual for an Orthodox church. The elegant building, whose construction took 10 years and was completed in 1841, was crowned with an openwork copper spire. It was lost during the Soviet era, along with much of the appearance of this remarkable church, memorable to the entire Rimsky-Korsakov family.

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and Nadezhda Purgold were a model of ideal family relations. He was the Storyteller, and she was his Golden Fish. It seemed that no life hardships could disrupt the harmony and order in this wonderful family.

They met at the famous musical evenings hosted by Alexander Dargomyzhsky. Two charming sisters, Nadezhda and Alexandra Purgold, were regular participants in the musical gatherings of the Balakirev circle, which later changed its name to "The Mighty Handful."

The composers loved Nadya and Sasha very much. Sasha sang beautifully and dreamed of a career as a singer, while Nadya was very talented at playing the piano, earning herself the respectful nickname "our dear orchestra."

Nadya was amazingly beautiful. Dargomyzhsky said he loved her very much. Moreover, the other members of the composers' circle spoke warmly of the two sisters; Stasov called the Purgold sisters musical ladies. Nadezhda was a very romantic nature, finely sensitive and, of course, prone to falling in love. Not long ago, she was in love with Balakirev, but now she could not take her eyes off Rimsky-Korsakov, so handsome and so talented.

However, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov could not help but notice the beauty and talent of the charming musical lady. They even became somewhat co-authors. When in 1868 the composer was working on the opera "The Maid of Pskov," he always showed each new excerpt to Nadya. At his request, she worked on orchestrating some pieces and arranging them for voices with piano. He admired her, and she revered his purity and impeccability, fearing her own insignificance compared to his genius.

The summer of 1870 was spent by the Purgold family at a dacha near Petersburg, where Rimsky-Korsakov visited them at the end of summer. On that day, Nadezhda wrote in her diary about an unexpected poetic meeting. Three days later, Korsinka came again, this time accompanied by Mussorgsky. The young people spent time making music and singing. Alexandra performed romances, one of which was "The Golden Fish." Nadezhda accompanied her sister so inspiredly and sensitively that from that day Nikolai Andreyevich began calling her his Golden Fish. Nadezhda affectionately called him Korsinka and Nika.

She stood on the balcony, upset because she had not seen her Korsinka for so long. Dreamily, she sang: "Come to the kingdom of roses and wine, come, I am waiting," and he immediately appeared under her balcony…

Already in the spring of the following year, Nikolai Andreyevich would propose to Nadezhda Nikolaevna, and

In this wonderful family, everyone was truly happy. Nadezhda Nikolaevna realized how talented her husband was, how much he could achieve thanks to his gift. And she subdued her own hopes for a musical career to become an assistant, confidante, faithful friend, and keeper of the home hearth of the great composer.

Nikolai Andreyevich valued his wife's opinion extremely highly and was upset if Nadya did not like a piece. He could easily throw the written sheets out the window if Nadezhda Nikolaevna did not approve of his compositions. However, his Golden Fish would immediately rush outside to collect all the sheets and then carefully keep them.

Nadezhda Nikolaevna also composed, but her compositions often got lost against the backdrop of her husband's bright and very lively works. She was extraordinarily gifted, but her talent could not compare to her husband's genius. Over time, she accepted that it was better for her to be in his shadow.

But Nadezhda Nikolaevna played only secondary roles in music. Sometimes this oppressed her, leading to bouts of pessimism, but family duties did not allow her to remain sad for too long. The family had seven children, though only five survived.

On June 30, 1905, for the first time, Nadezhda Nikolaevna and Nikolai Andreyevich were apart on this day. And 33 years later, their relationship was full of tenderness, care, and love. "Dear friend, Nadyusha, today is June 30 — our day." This letter from Nikolai Andreyevich on their wedding day was preceded by mutual messages:

"Dear Nika, by my calculation, you will receive this postcard on our wedding day. For the first time, we will spend this day apart. It is sad that thousands of miles separate us. I kiss and hug you tightly. Write how you will spend June 30. I will be thinking of you. Yours, N. R.-K."

"Dear friend, perhaps this letter will reach you on our wedding day, which this time we will spend apart. I hug you tightly and kiss you, and on the 30th I will think of you intensely… Be healthy, my soul. Yours, N. R.-K."

At home, the Golden Fish was a true fairy for her Storyteller, as he was called for composing fairy-tale musical works. Even at dinner, she always sat at the head of the table, and Nikolai Andreyevich sat to her right.

They lived together for 37 years. There were joys and losses in their life, but that eternal love that inspires and creates remained unchanged.

Sources:

https://www.radiovan.fm/station/article/13807