The author of the book is Emil Nauman (1827-1888) - composer, writer, student of the great German composer, conductor, pianist Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847). In Russian in St. Petersburg, the publication was published in 1893. Translation from German with additions according to the latest sources was performed by Nikolai Fedorovich Findeisen (1868-1928) - a scientist, historian, historiographer of Russian music since ancient times, music critic, creator and permanent editor-publisher of the Russian Musical Newspaper.